The Los Angeles Rams fell 37-34 to the Buffalo Bills in overtime on Monday Night Football at SoFi Stadium after a potential game-winning field goal was blocked.
The loss dropped the Rams to 2-3. Buffalo improved to 4-1.
Los Angeles chose to kick to open the extra period. The Bills advanced on a long gain by Khalil Shakir before linebacker Nate Landman forced a fumble from James Cook that Aaron Donald recovered near the Rams 22-yard line.
That turnover handed the Rams a clear path to end the game. Matthew Stafford directed the offense down to the Bills 30-yard line.
On third-and-5, the Rams called a run to Kyren Williams that gained nothing. Harrison Mevis then attempted a 48-yard field goal that defensive end Greg Rousseau blocked.
Buffalo took over and moved into range on runs by Josh Allen. Tyler Bass made a 45-yard field goal with 1:55 remaining to seal the win.
Rams coach Sean McVay voiced his frustration in the postgame news conference.
“This one stings, and It’s going to hurt, but we can’t afford to let this team beat us twice. We have to regroup and reset ourselves. It’s been a while since I have been this mad after a game too,” McVay said.
He said the strength of the opponent did not lessen the disappointment.
“None of that makes me feel good right now,” McVay said. “I’m proud of the effort, but none of how I feel is positive other than I’m proud of the resilience and guts that our team displayed.”
Special teams issues again proved costly for Los Angeles. Mevis had missed a 50-yard field goal attempt earlier in the contest, continuing a pattern of struggles in the kicking game.
Stafford completed 40 of 54 passes for 383 yards and three touchdowns. Puka Nacua set a career high with 17 receptions for 138 yards and a score, while Davante Adams added two touchdown catches.
In the closing moments of regulation, Williams scored on a one-yard run with roughly five seconds left to force overtime after Cook had put Buffalo ahead with 1:39 remaining.
The Rams generated strong offensive production throughout, particularly in the second half, as the teams combined for roughly 890 yards and multiple lead changes in a back-and-forth contest.
McVay took responsibility for the conservative third-down call that preceded the blocked kick and said the field goal unit would be fully evaluated after costing the team the game.
The Rams now sit under .500 and will look to correct their special teams problems as they prepare for their next matchup.
