Writer: Gage O'Leary
Twitter: @Deep_Shot_Gage
Twitter: @DeepShotSports
Bills, Rams face off in season opener on Thursday night:
It's a battle of two of NFL's best QB's and team's as defending Superbowl Champions, Matthew Stafford and the Las Angeles Rams, take on Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. The NFL gave they're fans one heck of a treat to kick off the season. Last season the Rams went all in on shooting for the Superbowl, it started by trading for Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, in that deal the Rams sent to Detroit Quarterback Jared Goff, 2 first round picks (2022 & 2023) and a 2021 3rd round pick that Detroit used to draft Alim McNeil. They stayed agressive eventually trading for future Hall of Fame linebacker Von Miller to add some veteran depth to they're defense, but this off-season after helping the Rams win a Superbowl, Miller signed with the Buffalo Bills, and now will be facing off against his former team to start the year. Miller isn't the only superstar to be facing his former team, Quarterback's Russel Wilson and Baker Mayfield will also face they're former teams in Week 1. In this matchup between the Rams and Bills we won't just see 2 of NFL's best QB's but 2 of the NFL's best WR's as well. For the Rams WR Cooper Kupp was a breakout star in 2021 after the addition of Matthew Stafford. Kupp was able to go from unranked to number 4 on NFL's top 100. Even though Stafford still has his favorite target, one of his biggest weapons in 2021 Robert Woods is now with the Tennessee Titans and WR Odell Beckham Jr is still unsigned and unhealthy, Beckham tore his ACL in the Superbowl in February and is not yet ready to play. I expect OBJ to sign back with the Rams and rejoin his friend Cooper Kupp when he does return to fill strength. For the Bills WR Stefon Diggs is back and is ready to continue to be one of the league's best wide outs. Diggs is ranked 26th on NFL's top 100, he racked up 103 receptions for 1,225 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2021. Stefon isn't the only talent in the family, his brother Trevon Diggs led the league in Interceptions with an incredible 11 picks, three more then former New England Patriots CB J.C Jackson who is now with the LA Chargers. Diggs is ranked 23rd on the NFL's top 100, three spots ahead of his older brother Stefon. Both teams have a solid defense that'll be on display tomorrow night at SoFi Stadium. Future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald is back after there was questions weither or not he's retire in the off-season, but after getting his first ring Donald is back for more. To fill the void of Von Miller's departure, the Rams went out and got rival Linebacker Bobby Wagner, who spent many years dominating for the Seattle Seahawks. Arguably the best Cornerback in the league, Jalen Ramsey completes the Rams defense as they have a Superstar in the trenches, at LB, and in the secondary at Corner. Not very many defenses will be able to stop the Bills this season but this Rams defense
could be one of them. For Buffalo they have young EDGE Rushers Gregory Rousseau and Carlos Basham that will give any QB nightmares this this season, DT Ed Oliver is no slouch in the trenches either. As mentioned the Bills acquired LB Von Miller who is a guaranteed future Hall of Famer. Saftey's Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, along with the addition of CB Kaiir Elam should make for a pretty good secondary...
Injury Report, Buffalo Bills:
WR, Stefon Diggs. Injury: Vet Rest. Participation in practice: Limited. Game Status: Good to go.
FS, Jordan Poyer. Injury: Elbow. Participation in practice: Full. Game Status: Unspecified.
OT, Tommy Doyle. Injury: Foot. Participation in practice: DNP. Game Status: Questionable.
WR, Isaiah McKenzie. Injury: Groin. Participation in practice: Full. Game Status: Unspecified
TE, Quentin Morris. Injury: Hamstring. Participation in practice: Full. Game Status: Unspecified.
DT, Tim Settle. Injury: Calf. Participation in practice: Full. Game Status: Unspecified.
Injury Report, LA Rams:
WR, Van Jefferson. Injury: Knee. Participation in practice: DNP. Game Status: Unspecified.
Predictions:
Most passing yards: Josh Allen, i think he'll have more than Stafford because I think the Rams will go for more of a balance in the Run and Pass game and i believe the Bills will be pass heavy against LA.
First touchdown scorer: I'm going with the easy pick here and will say Cooper Kupp. I believe that the Rams running game will take them to the RedZone and from there it's Stafford to Kupp for the Touchdown.
Most receiving yards: Gonna again have to go with Kupp, LA still has a few good WR's around Kupp that will draw attention and like last season the Stafford/Kupp duo will be strong.
Most rushing yards: Cam Akers, he's heathy to start the year this go around, he didn't get an opportunity at a full season in 2021 and this will be a good year for him and I think he'll do well tomorrow night and get the rock often.
Over/Under: Matthew Stafford 270 passing yards, gonna go Under because of the balanced offense I see LA having tomorrow... Josh Allen 274 passing yards, I'm going to say Over, the ball will be coming out of Allen's hands early and often, he'll get it done in the air and on the ground. Matthew Stafford 1.5 passing TD's, gonna say Over for Stafford, he's gonna be the finisher in these drivers and put it in the end zone, much like Allen will do, 1.5 passing TD's for Allen, I'd say Over on that number. Cam Akers 43.5 yards, easily picking Over. Devin Singletary 43.5 yards, gonna go Under, I think James Cook will be more involved then people think, which equals less carries for Singletary, which equals less yardage. Josh Allen 37.5 rushing yards, gonna say Over, the pressure LA will bring will force Allen out of the pocket and force him to make plays with his feet.
And finally, the final score who will win the season opener. It's a tough decision but I'm taking the home team to win the opener, Rams 34-Bills 31 in a thriller.
Thanks for reading and enjoy the NFL season.
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