Three Los Angeles Rams weaknesses that the Bills need to attack on Sunday

This Week 14 matchup cannot be taken lightly. While coaches and teams avoid the term “trap-game,” it’s hard to ignore the storylines and scenarios surrounding this Sunday. The Bills come into this game winners of seven straight, most recently a snowy beatdown of the San Francisco 49ers that clinched their fifth straight AFC East crown. The Bills also have a matchup with the Super Bowl favorite Detroit Lions next week, in what might be the most anticipated game of the NFL regular season. The LA Rams on the other hand, are playing for their postseason lives. The Rams are just about in "must-win" territory for their last five games to sniff the playoffs.

In order for the Bills to avoid a let down in Week 14 on the road, capitalizing on these weaknesses of the Rams is crucial:

Run Defense

The rushing attack for the Bills has been a major contributor to the team’s success, and Sunday should be more of the same. The Rams have struggled immensely when attempting to stop the run. This season, their defense has allowed over 100 yards rushing in 10 of their 12 games. Two of those games they allowed over 200 yards on the ground, and one over 300 yards! The Bills running back room has answered when called upon, and the offensive line has had an impressive season thus far leading the way.

Joe Brady has shown a willingness to stick with what works, and I see Sunday’s offensive game plan being led by the run. One thing to watch for is a healthy dose of the “heavy package” featuring an extra offensive lineman which was extremely effective against San Francisco last week.

Pass Protection

Let’s face it; Matthew Stafford is a Hall of Fame quarterback. Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are top 15 wide receivers in this league. The passing attack for this Rams team is one of the best in the league when they are healthy. One way to impact their ability to shred your secondary? Get pressure on the QB. Over the last four games, the Rams have given up 11 sacks and 23 QB hits. While the secondary has been solid for the Bills, too much time for this passing attack can lead to serious issues, whether you are in man or zone. This game calls for more impact plays from the defensive line, and they may be getting DeWayne Carter back this week to bolster the interior.

Boundary Corners

With the focus likely being on the run game, there has to be some thought in Joe Brady’s mind that the Rams may look to sell out in order to take that away. The only problem for LA is that means the ball is then in the hands of Josh Allen and the passing attack.

Although injuries have limited the pass catchers available to Allen, he has found a way to spread the ball around and take what is available to him on each play. Friday’s injury report looked the best it has in the last few weeks, with Keon Coleman and Dalton Kincaid both getting “Questionable” designations after a full week of limited practice. The Rams have allowed an opposing pass catcher to eclipse the 75 yard mark nine times this season. Five of those times, that receiver had over 115 yards. While I believe the inability to stop the run will ultimately do in the Rams, the potential for the passing attack to explode still looms large. 

As the Bills head back to LA for the first time since spoiling the Rams’ championship ring night in 2022, focus in the locker room needs to remain on Week 14 and nowhere else. The team is getting healthier and the matchup is there for the Bills to take advantage of. Sunday provides another opportunity for a statement win for this Buffalo team as they look to keep pace with Kansas City for the AFC top seed.

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