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4 Truths and 2 Lies About the Los Angeles Rams Heading Into Week 5 vs. Buffalo Bills
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- 4 Truths and 2 Lies About the Los Angeles Rams Heading Into Week 5 vs. Buffalo Bills
Byron Young strip-sacked Jalen Hurts on the Eagles' final drive Sunday, and the Los Angeles Rams flew home from Philadelphia with a 24-20 win after trailing by 10 at halftime. They'll be back in Inglewood on Monday night for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills, the highest-scoring team in the NFL.
The Rams are 2-2 and 2.5-point favorites . Four things are true about this team heading into Monday, and two popular takes don't hold up.
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Truth: The defense is why the Rams are .500
Los Angeles has allowed 990 total yards, second fewest in the league, and 20.8 points per game. Since the 49ers put up 379 yards in the opener, no opponent has reached 260.
The secondary has led the way. Safety Quentin Lake (90.0) and cornerback Trent McDuffie (89.1) own the two best grades on the defense, according to PFF, and McDuffie has allowed five catches on 18 targets. Lake missed Thursday's practice with a hip injury that Sean McVay called minor. Buffalo scores 31.8 points per game, so the Rams will need him.
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Truth: Kyren Williams is the offense's most reliable piece
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles.Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Williams has 294 rushing yards on 54 carries, 5.4 yards per attempt, and his 81.4 grade is the best on the Rams' offense, according to PFF. He scored both fourth-quarter touchdowns in Philadelphia, including the 7-yard game-winner with 1:10 left, and caught 10 passes in that game.
The Bills rank 19th in rushing yards allowed. Leaning on Williams also keeps Allen on the sideline.
Truth: Matthew Stafford is giving the ball away too often
Stafford has six interceptions in four games, with two in each of the last two. He's completing 61.1% of his passes with an 80.5 passer rating, and his 65.4 season grade trails four of his offensive linemen, according to PFF.
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The second interception at Philadelphia was a deep throw out of structure for Puka Nacua that Cooper DeJean returned 25 yards, and the Eagles scored a touchdown with three seconds left in the half. Buffalo's defense ranks 27th in passing yards allowed, so there will be openings. Stafford can't afford to hand Allen extra possessions.
Truth: Special teams are costing the Rams points
Harrison Mevis is 5 of 7 on field goals after missing a 48-yarder wide left in the third quarter at Philadelphia. He also kicked off out of bounds after the Rams cut the deficit to three, giving the Eagles the ball at their own 40. Earlier, a 41-yard Britain Covey punt return set up a touchdown two plays later. Special teams mistakes nearly cost Los Angeles a game it had to have.
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With the line under a field goal, Monday could come down to one kick.
Lie: All those yards mean the offense is fine
Sep 21, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws during the second quarter against the New York Giants at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesGary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Rams have gained 1,668 yards, second most in the league, and topped 400 in each of the last three games. They rank 19th in scoring at 21.3 points per game.
Turnovers explain much of the gap. Los Angeles has turned it over twice in every game, eight in all. Buffalo has scored at least 24 points in all four of its games, and yardage won't keep pace with that by itself.
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Lie: The pass rush needs Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald
Garrett has been on injured reserve since knee surgery after Week 1 , and Donald sat out the Eagles game with a back injury. The Rams still had 26 pressures in Philadelphia, according to PFF, and Young had seven of them.
Young has 3.5 sacks this season and 21 of the team's 75 pressures, according to PFF. Donald was limited in practice this week and has a chance to play Monday. Allen has been sacked nine times, but he also leads the league with seven rushing touchdowns, so the edge rushers have to keep him in the pocket.
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Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. ET Monday at SoFi Stadium on ESPN and ABC. Watch Donald's status, and how many snaps he gets if he's active.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Oct 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
