LA Rams (2-0) at Buffalo (2-0)
When: Sunday, September 27th, 2020
Where: Bills Stadium,
Orchard Park, NY
Time: 1:00 ET | TV: CBS
Opening Odds: Buffalo -3/45
There are just two games this week involving a pair of 2-0 teams. One of those is absolutely no surprise as the Chiefs visit the Ravens on what should be one heck of a Monday Night Football game. But, the other one is a bit of a surprise in that either the Los Angeles Rams or Buffalo Bills will go into Week 4 at a perfect 3-0, barring a tie. The Rams have played really great football so far this season, winning their season opener in their brand-new stadium over the Dallas Cowboys, then taking down another NFC East opponent in the Philadelphia Eagles last week on the road. Meanwhile, the Bills have received superb play from quarterback Josh Allen in taking care of the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets. The over is 4-0 in the Rams last four games when playing as an underdog including last week’s 37-19 thrashing of the Eagles. Los Angeles is also 3-0-1 ATS in their past four games overall and 4-0 ATS in their last four games as a road dog. The Bills’ defense has been keeping their games lower scoring, going 6-1 to the under in the last seven games when coming off an ATS loss. Buffalo is 4-1 ATS in their last five games when coming in as the favorite but are just 1-3-1 ATS in their last five games overall. The Bills opened this contest as 3-point favorites with a total of 45 according to Bovada Sportsbook.
The Rams offense has been clicking on all cylinders so far as they are ranked eighth in the NFL in total points scored. Quarterback Jared Goff has thrown for 542 yards to go along with three touchdown passes while completing 69 percent of his passes through two weeks. He’s starting to gain some chemistry with the young core in Darrell Henderson, Tyler Higbee and Van Jefferson. Henderson has replace injured rookie running back Cam Akers and ran for 81 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries last week. It remains unknown whether Akers is going to suit up against the Bills in Week 3, but Henderson showed he’s capable of handling the load. Tight end Tyler Higbee, who caught all three of Goff’s TD passes, will go up against a Buffalo defense that gave up 130 receiving yards and a touchdown to Miami tight end Mike Gesicki last Sunday. The Rams are also playing solid defense, ranking third in total points allowed so far.
Allen has shown incredible offensive improvement compared to last season, ranking seventh in total points scored and he has a new favorite target. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs has been a big addition with 16 receptions for 239 yards. Allen has thrown for 729 yards and six touchdowns and running for one more through only two weeks. He was 24-of-35 for 417 yards last week versus Miami, but has been sacked four times so far this season. The defense is still one of the league’s best, ranking seventh in the NFL in total yards allowed and fifth in sacks. The Bills will look to take away LA’s rushing attack with their defense that’s allowed an average of just 75.5 rushing yards over the last two weeks.
I’m looking forward to this matchup on Sunday, but I’ll be taking the Bills in this one, laying about a field goal. I’ve really been impressed with Josh Allen so far and Diggs is a big reason he’s playing so well. Goff does not play well under duress, and Buffalo’s defense will be hounding him all day into mistakes.
Pick: Bills -2.5
Week 3 Staff Selections
