A wild slate of NFL action comes to an end this evening with the Buffalo Bills set to face the Los Angeles Rams in front of a national audience for Week 5 of Monday Night Football. Despite the 3-1 record, a lot of folks are down on the Bills at the moment, which also includes a bit of concern about quarterback Josh Allen.
Buffalo is a routine playoff contender and frequent Super Bowl favorite because of Josh Allen. Without him, the Bills resemble a lot of those teams from the drought era. It’s natural
to show some concern, as much of it has to do with fans’ understanding about Allen’s importance to the team.
Yes, it’s a team and there’s plenty of room for others to make their mark. What’s said above of Allen might well stick to running back James Cook III, for example. So perhaps Week 5 will serve as a get-right game for Buffalo, if you believe they need one.
“Crazy talk,” you say? The Rams aren’t too dissimilar from the Bills as a team with plenty of firepower on offense led by an NFL MVP quarterback, but also a group that struggles to stop opponents on defense. They’re a .500 squad that’s lost to the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos, while defeating the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles.
The Bills are marching into SoFi Stadium to take on a beatable team in Los Angeles that’s propped up by a lot of hype. There are a few things that need to happen if Buffalo’s going to exit Week 5 4-1, and for sure it has to look different than the game plan in Week 4.
Below are what I believe are some (admittedly safer) bold takes to consider. What that means? We’re not going to stand by predicting a pick-six for Damar Hamlin, or that rookie wide receiver Skyler Bell will catch the game’s first touchdown pass, which will also be recorded as the first reception of his career. You also won’t find anything laying claim to a defensive stalemate between these teams.
Instead, we’re rolling with bold but realistic takes that could be key toward getting the Bills a win and back near the head of the NFL class.
Buffalo Bills convert a 2-point attempt
It’s one of several pink elephants in the room, Buffalo’s continued struggle converting two-point tries. Ask anyone tuned in to the Bills and they’d say the preferred move is to always kick for one simply because the alternative leaves them chasing points.
For whatever reason, Allen and the offense just don’t have the right chemistry while going for two in most situations. That’s interesting because Allen has been great, historically, in goal-to-go scenarios — which is exactly what he’s faced with during a two-point try.
The go-to should first and foremost be Allen using his legs to get the points, but there’s a pair of pass catchers who make sense as the focal points in these situations. It’s all about height and hands, which is what the Bills have in tight end Dalton Kincaid and wide receiver Keon Coleman.
Additionally, and this should happen elsewhere on the field, head coach Joe Brady would be wise to utilized both running backs Ty Johnson and Cook. Each of them are major threats as receivers, while both are severely under-utilized. Any defense will be stressed having to account for Coleman and Kincaid in the paint, while Cook and Johnson operate out in the flat near the goal line, and all before spying Allen as a rusher.
It’s time to stop trying to get cute in unconventional situations. Use the guys who stand to help you the most. I have a sneaky feeling Buffalo will be forced into a two-point situation against the Rams, and they’re going to convert it.
Bills capitalize off Rams’ ST woes
The Rams field the worst-ranked special teams unit in the NFL. It’s a menagerie of awful, highlighted by a place kicker who struggles to convert points much beyond a distance of 40 yards. There’s truth to the idea that settling for field goals often leads to misery, but every point counts.
As we discussed above, the Bills are almost always better off kicking for one instead of trying for two due mainly to their own deficiencies. Conversely, the Rams may be far better off going for the first down instead of a long field goal simply because the numbers don’t favor converting the kick.
That could benefit Buffalo on Monday night, if they’re assignment sound and ready to tackle. That idea extends to the Bills’ coverage and return units. Specifically, if Buffalo can force a turnover or two on special teams, it could ignite the spark needed to build a lead the Rams must constantly chase.
Josh Allen rushes for two TDs vs. Rams
You might not believe it, but Allen is on pace to rush for 30 touchdowns this season. As a quarterback. Stop and consider how difficult it is for a full-time running back to hit 30 touchdowns in a season, then stroll back to Allen’s opportunity. Mind-boggling stuff, to be clear.
Allen doesn’t come across as a records chaser, but you can be certain more than a few people in the building have taken note of the potential feat. Admittedly, there’s no nudging necessary in asking Allen to use his legs (and feet) to claim six. He’s a natural at it, and Allen’s role as a rusher is a key part of what I like to say renders him a fire-breathing unicorn.
Almost no one wants to tackle Allen (other than Christian Wilkins), and that’s precisely why he’s so consistently good at picking up anywhere between a yard and 80 on any play. Los Angeles has probably tried to prepare for Allen’s rushing threat, but it’s difficult for most teams to replicate regardless of who mans the role in practice.
The oddsmakers at FanDuel Sportsbook tend to agree here, currently listing Josh Allen with the second-best odds (+500) to score 2+ touchdowns. This means a score via rushing or receiving. Book it: the bold take here is that Allen’s set to vulture a pair of touchdowns away from Cook this evening.
Greg Rousseau gets back in the sacks column
This one isn’t all that bold, at least beyond the idea that Rousseau is building a bit of a legendary season as a sack artist. I’ve also featured Rousseau in this space often in 2026, and that’s because of how much I enjoy watching him blossom as a 3-4 edge rusher. He spent many seasons as a guy limited by scheme, doing decent work that was lost in the shuffle.
On to the meat…
You know who isn’t all that similar to Josh Allen? Matthew Stafford. Okay, the guy is a really talented quarterback, and he’s also the defending NFL MVP. But have you seen him rush the football? Right. Stafford is not much of a scrambler, and isn’t even all that great avoiding pressure as a pocket passer.
Rousseau should get back to his newly featured quarterback-hunting ways in Week 5, perhaps notching a pair of sacks and maybe a turnover-worthy play or two in pursuing Stafford. Buffalo must make Stafford uncomfortable in the pocket to throw off his rhythm, and fortunately the defense has improved in that department under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard.
FanDuel Sportsbook lists Greg Rousseau with the second-best odds at recording a sack (+136). So maybe it’s not too bold to say he doubles the effort.
Think you’ve got what it takes to make a play with the Buffalo Bills in 2026? Head over to FanDuel Sportsbook now and put your luck to the test!
Bills Mafia! Download the SB Nation app today!
Bring the energy of game day wherever you go and share every reaction with fellow members of the Bills Mafia.
- New live chat feature during the games
- Fewer ads
- Seamlessly jump between communities and conversations
- Faster commenting and posting experience!
Download the SB Nation app on iOS or Android.
