When the Buffalo Bills’ 2026 schedule was released, fans could see how tough the opening stretch was going to be extremely tough. Their first five opponents are the Texans, Lions, Chargers, Patriots, and Rams. Four out of those five teams were in the playoffs last season, but the Lions are still extremely talented and the Bills will host them on a short week in Week 2 on Thursday Night Football.
In Week 5, the Bills will be out in Los Angeles for a Monday night battle against the Rams, who have made some of the biggest splashes this offseason. They traded for CB Trent McDuffie, decided to draft quarterback Ty Simpson in the first round, and they made the biggest splash of the season with trading for Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns.
The Rams are establishing themselves as the ultimate powerhouse of the entire league, and the Bills are on their path this season. However, Buffalo is no push-over team and the Rams are going to still have to deal with Josh Allen and the Bills’ offense.
Recently, we had the chance to talk with Ramblin' Fan Site Expert, John Sbisa, who covers the Rams, and Sbisa provided great details about various factors about the Rams that Bills fans don't want to miss out on.
Pre-training camp insights from expert gives Bills fans better idea about Rams for 2026
1.) The Rams have made some big splashes this offseason, obviously. Aside from trading for Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie (and the drafting of Ty Simpson), is there another move that Rams fans are loving that isn't getting talked about enough?
"The obvious answer is signing Jaylen Watson, McDuffie's teammate, but fans are quietly excited (and relieved) about safety Kam Curl's three-year, $36 million extension inked a few days before he was set to hit free agency. Alongside major upgrades to the cornerback room in McDuffie and Watson, retaining Curl, who led the team in solo tackles last season, helps anchor a strong safety corps that also includes Quentin Lake and Kam Kinchens."
"Losing a popular leader like Curl would have taken just a little bit of shine off the later additions at corner. Instead, Rams fans approach training camp with high hopes for a secondary that cost the team a Super Bowl run last season."
2.) Do you think Puka Nacua and the Rams will get an extension done before the start of the regular season?
"This is a tricky one. That was the assumption earlier in the offseason, until Nacua got himself in some trouble and then checked into rehab. He tends to veer off the grid in his public social life, and while that needn't be an issue if he keeps things in check, the Rams must also carefully evaluate a number of looming extensions for young stars. They can't simply pay Nacua to pay him; they have too many moving parts to ink a massive deal if they have any substantial misgivings."
"Would Nacua sit out training camp if a deal isn't done? Maybe, but causing more drama also isn't in his best long-term earning interests. At the same time, Nacua is a centerpiece of the Rams' offense, beloved by fans, and at worst a top-two receiver in the game. Both sides want this done. That's all a long-winded way of saying it feels like it probably happens, but really it might be a toss-up."
3.) Who on the Rams is one of those overlooked players that Bills fans should be nervous about and why?
"I wouldn't say Byron Young is overlooked, but with Myles Garrett absorbing so much attention coming off the opposite edge, the Rams' 2025 sacks leader is bound to take a back seat. Garrett will make life easier for everyone, and Young in particular could benefit from extra opportunities. While Rams opponents won't forget about him, he could end up slipping into the backfield unnoticed a lot more often this season. Entering a contract year, too, he could be in for a bigger season than even Blue and Yellow fans expect."
4.) The last time the Bills and Rams faced each other, it ended with 86 total points being scored. Do you think each team will score 40+ points again against each other?
"LA's offense should be as potent as ever, and the Bills have Josh Allen and James Cook. From a Rams perspective, the biggest factor might be whether the defense is all it's being made out to be and, if so, whether it's gelled by the time they face Buffalo in Week 5. I think it will be, but then, Allen is a magician at making something from nothing. 86 points is a lot of scoring. … I don't think we'll see fireworks like that again. Both offenses will pile up some touchdowns, but neither cracks 40 points."
5.) What is your early score prediction for this matchup in October and who do you see being the x-factor?
"The Rams could come in exhausted after facing playoff teams in three of their first four games, including two on the road and a "home game" in Australia to begin the year. The good news for LA is that a) they will return home and b) the Bills begin the season with their own gauntlet of tough matchups."
"I go back to the Rams' defense as the x-factor, in particular whether the pass rush is able to make life sufficiently difficult for Allen. His escapability makes him less gettable quarry than most who encounter Garrett in the backfield. Downfield, McDuffie and Watson won't have their most challenging receiver assignments, but if Allen can evade pressure and extend plays, his targets will have a better chance to break open. It only takes a third-down scramble and one receiver getting behind the defense to put seven on the board."
"I'll go with a 34-31 victory for the home team, but facing Josh Allen is never something you feel good about."
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