While the Buffalo Bills are coming off a tough loss to a division rival, the Rams are carrying momentum from Sean McVay’s fiery moment that may have saved them against the Eagles. These teams meet on Monday Night Football, and here are the odds and a prediction for the Week 5 contest.
The Bills enter the game with a record of 3-1, good enough for first place in the AFC East. As for the Rams, they are 2-2 and sitting in third place in the NFC West. The Bills don’t want to lose their early season momentum, while the Rams can’t afford to fall even further behind the 49ers and Seahawks.
Bills vs. Rams Odds
Bills: +2.5
Rams: -2.5
Over: 54.5
Under: 54.5
There’s no doubt that the oddsmakers expect two things. One is a close game. It should come down to the fourth quarter.
Also, it should be a high-scoring game. And with Josh Allen going up against Matthew Stafford, anything less would be disappointing to most fans.
Bills vs. Rams key injuries
For the Bills, it starts with wide receiver DJ Moore. He suffered a shoulder problem, likely aggravating the original injury from Week 2. It’s looking like he may not be available to face the Rams, according to NBC Sports.
“(Bills head coach) Joe Brady is quoted as saying that if Moore feels he’s healthy enough to play, he “owes it to the WR to let him be out there,” Rivers McCown wrote. “It’s not exactly a quote that inspires a lot of confidence in Moore’s availability for Monday night’s matchup with the Rams after he left Week 4’s game due to landing on the shoulder. We would regard Moore as on the doubtful side of questionable at this point.”
Also trying to get back is run-stuffing defensive tackle, Ed Oliver. Against the Rams’ balanced offense, Oliver would be a big key. He has a knee injury, suffered in the game against the Patriots.
Brady said the players are working hard to get back, according to the Bills’ YouTube page via Sports Illustrated.
“Our guys are gonna prepare,” Brady said. “There's gonna be guys that might not practice, but you guys know how I am with that. We're gonna do everything we can. We also have the luxury of having a full day, an extra day with that. We're gonna give some guys [the chance] all the way through to game day. Knowing that if they give us the best opportunity to win, we're gonna roll with it.”
On the Rams’ side, there’s good news for Aaron Donald. He might be able to shake off back soreness and get on the field, according to therams.com.
“I don't want to pigeonhole, but yeah, that's the direction that it looks like it's trending in,” McVay said.
Also, cornerback Jaylen Watson could be back if practice goes well.
“The goal and the optimism would be that he will be able to do those things,” McVay said. “And if he feels good throughout the week in practice, the expectation is he'll be ready to roll against the Bills.”
Bills vs. Rams betting trends
In the last six contests between these teams, the Bills are 4-2 against the spread. Also, the Over is 4-2.
Overall, the Bills are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games. In that same stretch, the Bills are 7-3 for the Over.
As for the Rams, they are 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games. They’ve landed in the Over territory seven times in the last 10 games.
Keys to Bills vs. Rams matchup
The Bills probably need a shootout more than the Rams. That’s because the Rams probably have a better chance of slowing down the Bills offense than the Bills do of stopping the Rams. If the game hits the Under, the Rams will likely win.
In order to have a good shot at the win, the Bills will have to find a way to keep Devante Adams and Puka Nacua from both having big games. Matthew Stafford will likely heavily target both players. The Bills’ secondary will need to make some plays.
The Bills know what the chore is, according to democratandchronicle.com.
Article Continues Below“Yeah, a couple gold jacket guys,” embattled Bills cornerback Maxwell Hairston said, meaning potential future Hall of Famers. “Coming into this league, you want to play those guys. I think it would be a great time for me to go against those guys as I'm trying to get myself together. This defense get together. Another opportunity.”
Perhaps the defender the Rams will pick on is cornerback Maxwell Hairston. However, Brady is standing behind his embattled player.
“He’s going to be out there (against the Rams), and he’s going to make a play. That’s the confidence that we have in him, and I need him to have that confidence in himself. I think he does.”
Bills vs. Rams prediction and pick
This is a tough game to call. There are many reasons to buy one-game stock in the Rams. They’re at home. They’re in a more desperate situation than the Bills because of their division. Another loss, especially if the 49ers beat the Seahawks, and the Rams would be three games back.
However, there’s always a chance that Josh Allen cuts loose with a vintage performance. And it’s difficult to pick against him when the game is high profile.
We will go with desperation over Allen. But only by a thin margin.