The Buffalo Bills continue their 2026 NFL season with a matchup against the LA Rams at home at SoFi Stadium on "Monday Night Football" in Week 5. It will be a 8:15 p.m. kickoff.
While game plans, coaching, and strategy will play a part, but sometimes a big emphasis will sit with some individual players. In terms of the Bills defense, who could those be?
Here are Bills Wire's three potential X-factors on the Bills (3-1) defense against the Rams (2-2) in Week 5:
CB Christian Benford
It's unclear if Benford will play but he has returned to practice this week in a limited capacity.
Not only do the Bills need him because of the poor play without him in a 29-26 loss to the New England Patriots last week, the Rams have a stout passing attack. Benford will need to lock down
whoever is lined up on the outside, which will most likely be Davante Adams.
DE Greg Rousseau
Rousseau leads the NFL in sacks with six despite not having one against the Pats. No win and no sacks from Rousseau in the same game? We'll take that as a sign: If Rousseau can get to Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Bills should win.
LB Terrel Bernard
Bernard is one of several on Buffalo's defense under scrutiny as of late. His burst to opposing ball carries has been criticized. Against the pass, Bernard has been just as bad as anyone.
As noted, the Rams' passing attack and wide receivers are talented. Things would get even worse for the Bills if Bernard cannot lock down some running backs and tight ends LA will throw his way.
There’s been a lot of talk about #Bills LBs Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams this week. Joe Brady said AGAIN today, “I really like how they are playing.”
— Kevin Siracuse (@kevin_siracuse) October 8, 2026
The eye test does not agree, so I wanted to expand on this previous tweet about passer rating allowed when targeted and see… https://t.co/WDPasv1mjm
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 3 potential X-factors on the Bills defense vs. Rams in Week 5
