The NFL is back!
After 214 days (yes, we counted them all), the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams are hosting the rising Buffalo Bills in the season opener tonight.
The Rams — led by star defensive lineman Aaron Donald, receiver Cooper Kupp, quarterback Matthew Stafford and cornerback Jalen Ramsey — are running it back with hopes to be the league’s first repeat champions since the New England Patriots in 2003-04.
The Bills, led by star quarterback and preseason MVP favorite Josh Allen, are on a mission to reach the Super Bowl after heartbreaking playoff losses the last two seasons.
Could these teams meet in the Super Bowl this season?
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Stay tuned here to our USA TODAY Sports live blog for highlights from the Bills-Rams game at SoFi Stadium.
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Josh Allen finds Stefon Diggs, Bills take commanding lead on Rams
The Bills might have put this game away.
Josh Allen found receiver Stefon Diggs streaking down the field for a 53-yard touchdown help the Bills take a 31-10 lead over the Rams with 9:25 left in the game.
Buffalo worked quickly to make the most of Rams QB Matthew Stafford’s second interception, and taking a commanding lead against the defending Super Bowl champion.
Allen has been the best player on the field in this game, while the Bills defense has been ignited by Von Miller’s presence against his former team.
Stafford and the Rams offense has struggled mightily in their first game in their title defense.
Matthew Stafford throws second INT in fourth quarter
The Rams are reeling, and the Bills are rolling.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw his second interception of the game on a pass tipped to his star receiver Cooper Kupp. Bills safety Jordan Poyer came up with the interception after some pressure by defensive lineman A.J. Epenesa on the play.
The Rams’ turnover gives the Bills an opportunity to seal the deal in the season opener.
Josh Allen helps Bills take 24-10 lead in fourth quarter
The Buffalo Bills are in complete control.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Josh Allen found streaky receiver Gabe Davis open for a 47-yard completion that put the Bills inside the 10-yard line.
Three plays later, Allen broke the pylon on a 4-yard touchdown run to push the Bills ahead 24-10 over the Rams.
Despite three turnovers in the first half, the Bills have taken a commanding lead over the defending champions early in the final quarter.
Allen, despite two interceptions, has had his imprint all over this NFL season opener.
Bills take 17-10 lead on Rams into fourth quarter
A wicked stiff arm, and a touchdown.
Josh Allen found receiver Isaiah McKenzie for a 7-yard touchdown to give the Bills a 17-0 lead with 7:59 in the third quarter on Buffalo’s first drive of the second half. The drive was highlighted by Allen’s highlight stiff arm of a Rams defender to gain a first down on 3rd and 7 earlier in the drive.
The Rams started the half on offense, but a dropped snap by Matthew Stafford and sack by Bills defensive end Gregory Rousseau resulted in a three-and-out.
Rams, Bills head into halftime tied at 10
How about that first half?
Rams kicker Matt Gay kicked a 57-yard field goal to help the reigning champions enter halftime in a 10-10 tie with the Bills in the NFL season opener.
The Rams were unable to make the most of another Bills’ turnover, as Buffalo’s defense held its own in the final minutes of the second quarter. Stafford was sacked by Bills defensive lineman Jordan Phillips with Daquan Jones and A.J. Epenesa also on the play to force a 2nd and 19. New Bills edge rusher Von Miller tackled his former teammate Cooper Kupp on the next play before the field goal.
The Bills were fortunate, despite a 3-1 deficit in the turnover battle, to close the first half tied with the Rams.
Josh Allen throws second interception in first half vs. Rams
The Bills had most of the momentum early in this one. But halftime can’t get here soon enough for Buffalo.
Josh Allen threw his second interception of the game with 1:53 left in the first half, with Rams defensive back Troy Hill snatching one away from Bills receiver Jamison Crowder.
Allen threw the football late and behind his receiver, and now has two interceptions. It’s Buffalo’s third turnover of the first half in a 10-7 game.
Cooper Kupp’s incredible touchdown puts Rams on the board
The Rams had a decision to make: Settle for 3, or go for it on fourth down. And coach Sean McVay’s decision paid off.
Cooper Kupp received a push from his teammate to secure a first down on 4th and 2, and he later scored a toe-tap touchdown from Stafford to get the Rams on the board. The Rams were aided by an 18-yard run by running back Darrell Henderson on the drive.
The Rams’ narrowed the Bills’ lead to 10-7 with three minutes left in the first half.
Bills 10, Rams 0 8:48 in second quarter
While the Rams couldn’t get going on offense after their turnover, the Bills took advantage of theirs.
Bills kicker Tyler Bass kicked a 41-yard field goal to help Buffalo take a 10-0 lead in the second quarter. Josh Allen missed receiver Gabriel Davis on an out route near the sideline on third down to set up the field goal.
Either way, Buffalo has regained the momentum and has a double-digit lead early in the NFL opener.
Bills, Rams trade turnovers early in second quarter
The Rams did nothing with their first turnover, going three-and-out on the next possession. But they quickly got the ball back on offense.
Rams defensive back Nick Scott forced rookie Bills running back James Cook, on the first play of his career, to fumble early in the second quarter.
It only took two plays before the Rams gave the Bills the football back, as Stafford threw an interception to Bills cornerback Dane Jackson.
Rams force turnover, slowing Bills’ momentum in first quarter
Allen started the game completing his first 10 passes, but next pass attempt to receiver Isaiah McKenzie was ripped away by Rams linebacker Terrell Lewis for the first turnover of the game.
Allen and the Bills offense was rolling, and the turnover killed Buffalo’s momentum in the first quarter.
Bills 7, Rams 0, 9:56 first quarter
The Buffalo Bills wasted no time getting off to a fast start. They marched down the field on their first possession, and quarterback Josh Allen found receiver Gabe Davis wide open for a 26-yard touchdown on the first drive of the game. After a few run plays, the Bills set the Rams up for a play-action play that worked to perfection.
Rams unveil championship banner
Before the game, the Rams unveiled their championship banner and ran onto the field after a raucous introduction by retired offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth.
Unsigned receiver Odell Beckham, who played for the Rams last season, was also on the stage raising the Lombardi Trophy during the pregame celebration.
Queen Elizabeth II honored with moment of silence before game
During pregame festivities, there was a moment of silence held to honor Queen Elizabeth II, who died earlier Thursday.
NFL kickoff game injury report
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is expected to play with “no limitations” despite discomfort in his right elbow dating back to last season.
“He’ll be ready to go,” Rams coach Sean McVay told reporters of Stafford earlier this week.
Still, it’s something to monitor during the opener.
The Rams will be without receiver Van Jefferson (knee), while cornerback Derion Kendrick, quarterback Bryce Perkins, linebacker Jake Gervase, and receiver Lance McCutcheon are inactive.
Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson, receive Khalil Shakir, and cornerback Cam Lewis are inactive, while offensive lineman Tommy Doyle (foot) and tight end Quintin Morris (hamstring) will not play due to injuries.
NFL kickoff game pregame reading
Get ready for Thursday night’s matchup with some of our best stories on the Bills-Rams tilt, as well as predictions for the upcoming season.
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