The Bills pulled out a 37-34 win in overtime against the Rams in Los Angeles in another roller coaster contest.
And their defensive strengths and weak spots continued to be on display, giving up 30+ points and frequent chunk plays to an opponent for the fourth time in five games to start the 2026 NFL season.
Fortunately, skilled individuals on the team's defensive front have thrived in the new look 3-4 hybrid that coordinator Jim Leonhard has installed, and Greg Rousseau is one of them.
The Buffalo edge rusher got another one Monday night after blocking Harrison Mevis' 48-yard try in overtime, keeping their hopes alive en route to the overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.
GREG ROUSSEAU BLOCKS THE KICK! 🛑@BUFvsLAR on ESPN Stream
on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/tClot3gamI
— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) October 13, 2026
"That's the beautiful thing about football: You get another drive," Allen said. "You get another game. All you can do is keep moving forward. You're hoping someone on defense or special teams can make a play, and that's what happened. Greg Rousseau made a play."
NFL kickers typically hit the ball at a slightly lower trajectory from long distance, and it was just enough where Groot got his long reach in there to get a hand on the ball.
Rousseau bailed Buffalo out after they received the overtime kickoff and RB1 James Cook lost the football for the fifth time in five games when Rams linebacker Nate Landman punched the ball out from his arm. Right after WR Khalil Shakir thrilled by taking a short pass over the middle for a 57-yard gain down the left sideline to the Rams' 22-yard line to put the Bills around red zone territory.
Los Angeles recovered the loose ball and had a chance to win.
Special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers spoke with his unit before they took the field to defend the kick attempt, and his pass rushers were locked in.
"I mean, we were just saying, like, 'Block this' over and over," Rousseau said, per the Buffalo News. "I didn't play perfect. Far from it, could have been better the whole game up until that moment. But showed up in that moment."
Mevis attempted the 48-yard kick, but Rousseau got a hand up and tipped the ball where it fell short of making the uprights. Allen and the Buffalo offense got the ball and the QB put the team on his back along with his superman cape, taking off on two quarterback runs for 32 yards on the ensuing drive, and three snaps later Tyler Bass drilled a 45-yarder to end it and lift the Bills to 4-1.
It was a big victory overcoming not only a contender in the Rams, but also themselves as the team gave up 34 points and committed over 100 yards in penalties in addition to two turnovers in Cook's fumble as well as an interception Allen threw to Rams defensive back Jaylen Watson late in the second quarter.
"I saw heart, man," corner Christian Benford said to the press postgame. "I saw effort and I saw good technique out there and I saw a heart. You know what I'm saying? I saw my my brothers wanted it more. That's really what it come down to. We won the mark and my brothers won the mark."
For his part, Rousseau spread the credit around to his teammates.
"It was a swim-C call, and I mean, Deone Walker, Greg Gaines, Hoecht, all of us, all of us on that side," Rousseau added. "I don't know exactly who, but we all (were) just doing our job, and I get credit for it, but shout-out to them. It's not a one-person play, so yeah."
Buffalo needed the play badly. The Rams controlled the ball for 37:57, ran 78 offensive snaps, converted half their third downs and both fourth-down tries, and Matthew Stafford piled up 383 passing yards with three touchdowns.
The big defensive star started the year with six sacks across the first three games, though in this contest he was kept off the quarterback and finished with a single tackle. DeWayne Carter recorded Buffalo's lone sack, though rookie T.J. Parker also brought L.A. quarterback Matthew Stafford down on a stopped two-point attempt.
Carter was quick to praise his teammate anyway.
"I mean, not just tonight, right?" Carter said. "It's like every day he shows up. You know, first of all, (couldn't) happen to a better guy, better person, overall better teammate. He just shows up, and I'm glad he's finally getting recognition that he deserves, because he's been so good for so long."
The two clubs are considered Super Bowl contenders, and should their respective records lead to successful postseason runs they may meet again in four months at the same stadium to compete in the championship.
In the meantime, Jim Leonhard's defense and the Bills other two phases have areas a plenty, including limiting points by opponents with high-powered passing attacks.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Bills' Greg Rousseau 'showed up in moment' on blocked FG vs. Rams
