LOS ANGELES — The Buffalo Bills outlasted the Los Angeles Rams 37-34 in overtime on Monday Night Football to improve to 4-1, giving quarterback Josh Allen his first career overtime win in a signature victory that could pay dividends down the stretch.
Buffalo built early 3-0 and 6-0 leads on field goals after drives stalled, including a sack by Aaron Donald on O'Cyrus Torrence and a high miss to Dawson Knox in the back of the end zone. Matthew Stafford kept Los Angeles close with 383 passing yards and 3 touchdowns, connecting with Puka Nacua for 17 receptions, 138 yards and 1 touchdown and hitting Davante Adams for a goal-line score against CJ Gardner-Johnson. James Cook countered for Buffalo with 23 carries for 108 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Ray Davis opened the game as the kickoff returner and Noah Igbinoghene started opposite Christian Benford over first-round pick Maxwell Hairston, who later rotated in.
The Bills led 13-7 after consecutive screen plays to Khalil Shakir and Ty Johnson set up a Cook touchdown run, but the Rams moved ahead 14-13 on a Blake Corum touchdown after a fourth-and-6 conversion and pass interference on nickel Cole Bishop, who was playing ahead of Damar Hamlin. Buffalo regained a 19-14 lead when Allen found Keon Coleman in the end zone after a drop by Skyler Bell, though a false start wiped out the two-point try. Coordinator Jim Leonhard's defense played bend-but-don't-break, allowing yardage in soft zones and struggling on fourth downs, but got a sack from DeWayne Carter and pressure from Terrel Bernard that nearly produced an interception for rookie Kaleb Elarms-Orr.
Allen, who took hits while moving well and running over defenders, was criticized for refusing short routes early and for struggling to find open receivers through three quarters with only seven completions. Penalties and missed chances kept the game tight, with Allen also missing Knox high to avoid an interception and later recovering a Cook fumble. In overtime, Allen delivered the classic finish to secure his first OT victory and keep Buffalo in strong position at 4-1.