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Bills at Rams: Preview, Predictions, and More

By Randy Gurzi

Oct 2, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) breaks a way from New England Patriots defensive end Jabaal Sheard (93) in the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Bills defeated the Patriots 16-0. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) breaks a way from New England Patriots defensive end Jabaal Sheard (93) in the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Bills defeated the Patriots 16-0. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buffalo Bills vs. Los Angeles Rams

Case Keenum led the Rams back to Los Angeles and has them sitting at 3-1, just like we all thought, right? The Rams have been one of the biggest surprises of the 2016 season so far and they look to keep their hot streak going.

Related Story: NFL Power Rankings 2016: Atlanta Falcons Starting to Soar

The Buffalo Bills have been less surprising. They have been up-and-down, but played their best game against the New England Patriots last week in a 16-0 win. That’s par for the course with a Rex Ryan coached team.

Now both teams will look to somewhat validate themselves moving forward as they meet in NFL Week 5.

Buffalo Keys to Victory

1. Force Case Keenum to look like Case Keenum: Someone forgot to tell Case Keenum he’s just a place holder. The guy who was traded for a bag of Funyuns last season is still starting and keeps winning. Buffalo needs to rattle him in this game and make him look like the player Houston traded a couple years ago.

2. Give LeSean McCoy the ball!: The Bills sometimes try and get too cute. Running back LeSean McCoy can break off a huge gain and then they pull him out and go with Mike Gillislee. This is a terrible idea. McCoy is a beast and, when he runs, they are a good team. Feed him the ball!

3. Forget about last week: The Bills could be in trouble thanks to their big win last week. Ryan puts so much stock in beating New England that this game could become an afterthought. Stay focused, or things could go south quickly.

Los Angeles Keys to Victory

1. Get Todd Gurley going: Would anyone have believed it if we said that four weeks into the 2016 season the Rams would be 3-1 and Todd Gurley would be averaging 2.6 yards per rush? Well that’s the case now, but that isn’t a formula sustained success. Gurley needs to get some positive runs and move the chains.

2. Stuff McCoy early and often: On the other side they can’t allow Shady McCoy to dictate things. If L.A. can take him out of the game early and force the Bills to be one dimensional, things can go their way.

3. Don’t let the defense dictate the game: Rex Ryan is a weird dude. His brother Rob (Buffalo’s defensive coordinator) is a weirder dude. They do however have a history of bringing a lot of pressure on quarterbacks. The Rams can’t let Buffalo dictate the game with their defense. Staying ahead of the chains is key to keeping the Bills D off balance.

Odds

Point Spread: Buffalo +2
Moneyline: Buffalo +109, Los Angeles -128
Over/Under: 39

Prediction

Rex Ryan has always been obsessed with the Patriots. After winning his own personal Super Bowl by beating them last week, look for his team to come out flat as their coach spent all week recovering from his biggest date of the year.

The Rams defense continues to dominate and Keenum keeps making people wonder exactly why L.A. traded up for Jared Goff.

Buffalo Bills: 13, Los Angeles Rams: 24

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