Frank Schwab Senior writer Updated Tue, October 13, 2026 at 4:32 AM UTC About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this story It looked on Monday night like Josh Allen had played well enough to win, only for the rest of the Buffalo Bills to let him down. But the Bills, and James Cook in particular, got a reprieve.
The Los Angeles Rams were in position to win a thrilling game in overtime on a field goal, after Cook had lost his second fumble of the game to start overtime. But linebacker Greg Rousseau, who is off to a great start this season, blocked a potential game-winning Rams field goal.
Allen had another chance to be the hero and he delivered, largely with his legs.
He led a quick drive with two big runs to get the Bills into field-goal range. Tyler Bass hit the game-winning field goal, a 45-yarder, and the Bills had a 37-34 win to improve to 4-1.
Allen was off to a sluggish start through three quarters but the fourth quarter and overtime were his. He led two long touchdown drives in the fourth quarter, including one that culminated with a Cook 5-yard touchdown run with 1:39 left in regulation. The Rams answered with a tying touchdown of their own with four seconds left.
In overtime the Bills got a quick 57-yard catch by Khalil Shakir but then Rams linebacker Nate Landman forced another Cook fumble that the Rams recovered.
Los Angeles was on its way to an overtime win when its special teams had another letdown, allowing the blocked field goal on a 48-yard try from Harrison Mevis.
"Been a while since I've been this pissed after a game," said Rams coach Sean McVay, who faulted himself for getting conservative with his last couple offensive play calls rather than press for a closer field-goal attempt.
The Rams are 2-3 after an offseason full of hype.
Two years ago, the Bills came to SoFi Stadium and Allen made history as the first player to score three passing touchdowns and three rushing TDs in a game. But the Bills lost 44-42 to the Rams. It seemed like another Bills letdown in a big Allen game on Monday night. That didn't happen this time.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen rushed for 121 yards on 10 carries in Buffalo's overtime victory against the Rams.
Bills-Rams was one of the best matchups of the season on paper. It took a while for it to live up to the hoopla.
Both teams were off for the first three quarters. Allen was in a bit of a slump after a torrid start through two games of the season and that carried over to the start of Monday's game. Allen's seventh completion didn't come until 2:45 left in the third quarter, though that connection was a touchdown to Keon Coleman to give the Bills a 19-14 lead. Buffalo wanted to go for the 2-point conversion after that but the Bills committed a false start penalty. They elected to try the extra point instead and Bass missed it wide right. It was that kind of start.
The Rams weren't much better, on offense anyway. They struggled to find explosive plays but got a couple of short touchdowns from Davante Adams and Blake Corum through the first three quarters.
At the end of the third quarter the Bills led 19-14. Allen had just 98 passing yards in a strangely quiet night for him. The Rams had just two touchdowns against a Bills defense that had been struggling.
It looked like Monday night's game might be a dud between two fun teams, but the fourth quarter delivered. And we got some overtime, too.
The first three quarters weren't pretty but the finish was a great battle between two talented and fun teams.
Puka Nacua scored a nice over-the-shoulder touchdown on the second play of the fourth quarter, then the Bills answered with a long drive that concluded with an Allen quarterback sneak touchdown and a 2-point conversion catch by Dalton Kincaid. The Bills led 27-20.
Then it was the Rams' turn. Matthew Stafford brought his team downfield for an Adams touchdown and a tie game. Finally a game between the two teams that topped the Super Bowl odds going into Monday night's game was providing some drama.
Allen is always good for highlights and he started getting hot. He picked up a big third down with his legs near midfield, and got inside the 20-yard line on a strong 17-yard pass to Shakir. The Bills lost some yardage but then Allen scrambled for 21 yards on second-and-17. That got the Bills a big first down that limited the Rams' shot at answering any score Buffalo would get. Cook scored with 1:39 left but the Rams had just one timeout to go.
That was enough time for Stafford to put together a scoring drive. Stafford picked up chunks of yards and the Rams were inside the 20-yard line with 42 seconds to go. LA got to the 1-yard line and let a lot of time run off, but Kyren Williams saved another clock management debate by scoring with four seconds left to send the game to overtime.
The Bills started fast in overtime, with a 57-yard pass to Shakir. Kamren Kinchens made a touchdown-saving tackle, barely tripping up Shakir who ran an NFL season-high 21.89 mph on the play, according to Next Gen Stats .
On the next play, Landman punched the ball out from Cook for the second time in the game and Aaron Donald fell on the fumble.
Stafford got the Rams going with a nice pass before he got hit for 21 yards to tight end Davis Allen. Nacua caught a 21-yard pass to get the Rams into field-goal range. But Mevis' field goal was blocked and the game continued. The Rams' special teams continue to be a big problem.
The Bills got a quick overtime drive and the field goal for a win.
Rousseau has been big for Buffalo's defense, and his special teams play on Monday night could be huge for Buffalo's season.
What a night from Josh Allen. He ran for 121 yards, which marked the second most of his career.
It also marked the first time he's ever won an overtime game in his NFL career. Before tonight, he was a remarkable 0-7.
Buffalo didn't waste any time. Tyler Bass hits his field goal from 45 yards out, and the Bills have beaten the Rams in OT!
Josh Allen just scrambled for 19 first, and then got another 13 yards to the left to get the Bills in field goal range. He's over 120 rushing yards on the night.
We're not done yet! Tyler Mevis had a 48-yard field goal attempt blocked at the line, so the Bills have a shot here!
Puka Nacua with yet another catch, and the Rams are suddenly in field goal range here.
Nate Landman just punched the ball out of James Cook's hands perfectly, and the Rams will take over! That's the second forced fumble from Landman tonight.
Khalil Shakir almost made it all the way to the end zone there on second-and-long. A 57-yard gain works, and has the Bills almost to the red zone.
The Rams won the toss and opted to kick, so the Bills will get the ball first in OT.
This is such a good finish. The Rams just made it all the way down the field in 95 seconds, and Kyren Williams punched it in with just five seconds left.
James Cook just punched it in from 5 yards out, and the Bills are back in the lead!
They're up 34-27 now, but Matthew Stafford has 1:39 to work with and a single timeout. We'll see if that's too much time…
Josh Allen is up to 89 rushing yards now, and has the Bills in prime position to score. The Rams have no answer for him on the ground.
Josh Allen scrambled on a big third down to keep their drive alive, and he found Shakir for a 17-yard gain a few plays later.
The Bills have the ball at the Rams' 26 yard line with just two minutes left.
Davante Adams has found the end zone for a second time tonight, and we've now officially got a shootout.
That's a 5-yard easy score, and it's tied up again with 7:14 left.
Tyler Higbee has the Rams moving yet again after this 30 yard gain. He's up to 83 yards on five catches, and the Rams are back in scoring position.
Josh Allen picked up a 22-yard run earlier in the drive, and then capped it off with a 1-yard push to get the touchdown himself.
The Bills got the 2-point conversion, too. They're up 27-20 now with 11:28 left in the game.
Matthew Stafford tossed one up to Puka Nacua perfectly in the corner, and he managed to haul it in with just enough space for the touchdown. What a catch.
The Rams tried to go for the 2-point conversion, but Stafford was sacked on the attempt. So they lead 20-19 now early in the fourth.
The Bills still lead at the end of the third, but the Rams are looking at first-and-goal when we come back.
They've been cruising on this last drive, and are looking for what would be the fifth lead change of the night with a touchdown.
Blake Corum just completed a career-long 34-yard catch and run, and the Rams are moving quickly here.
CJ Gardner-Johnson is down and being looked at after the play, too.
The Rams are down at the Bills' 15 now with 55 seconds left in the third.
Source: Sport
0 Comments