The first half made this game look like it wasn't going to be the high-scoring shootout that everyone expected, but the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills played the best game of 2026 so far. These two Super Bowl contenders traded scores throughout the evening, going back and forth for the entire night. And 60 minutes wasn't enough time to decide this one.
The Rams moved the ball with ease from the start, but their opening drive came up empty due to a missed field goal, so they didn't get on the board until 8 minutes were left in the second quarter. That gave them their first lead, but the Bills answered back less than 3 minutes later to reclaim the edge on the scoreboard.
In the second half, they continued to trade touchdowns, each team scoring
once in the third quarter and once in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter. Buffalo led 27-20 with 11:28 remaining, but once again, the Rams answered by scoring a touchdown 5 minutes later to tie it up, 27-27.
It was a game that felt like whichever team had the ball last would win, as both defenses struggled to get the necessary stops. The Bills scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:39 left in the fourth quarter, but that left plenty of time for Matthew Stafford and the Rams to respond. And that they did. The Rams marched down the field in a minute and 34 seconds, tying it up at 34 with 5 seconds remaining and sending the game to overtime.
The Bills moved the ball down the field quickly with a 57-yard pass to Khalil Shakir in overtime, but Nate Landman punched the ball out of James Cook's hands on the very next play. Aaron Donald recovered, giving the Rams the ball and only needing a field goal to win it.
Harrison Mevis had a chance to clinch the win with a 48-yard field goal, but it was blocked by Buffalo with just over 4 minutes left in overtime. The Bills went down the field on the back of Allen, setting up a 45-yard field goal to win it, and Tyler Bass delivered the final blow.
Final score: Bills 37, Rams 34
Numbers to know
60: The Rams held Josh Allen to only 60 yards on 4-for-7 passing with one interception in the first half.
24: Puka Nacua was targeted 24 times in this one, catching 17 passes for 138 yards. He set new career-highs in targets and catches.
11: Penalties continue to be a problem for the Rams. They were called for 11 flags, totaling 84 yards.
35: The Rams and Bills combined for 35 points in the fourth quarter alone, with the Rams scoring three touchdowns and the Bills two.
91: The Rams allowed Allen to rush for 91 yards in the fourth quarter and overtime alone.
It was over when…
... Tyler Bass made the 45-yard field goal to win it.
3 stars of the game
- Puka Nacua: 24 targets, 17 catches, 138 yards, 1 TD
- Nate Landman: 13 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 forced fumbles
- Tyler Higbee: 6 targets, 5 receptions, 83 yards
Play of the game
Kam Kinchens' chase-down of Khalil Shakir was a game-saving play, but so was Landman's punchout on James Cook in overtime. It was Landman's second forced fumble of the night, and this time, Donald recovered it to give the Rams the ball.
Unfortunately, the Rams couldn't capitalize on the next drive, as Mevis missed the potential game-winner.
FUMBLE 🚨Nate Landman punches it out and Aaron Donald recovers!@BUFvsLAR on ESPN
— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2026
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/oUWPBMxS6h
What's next?
The Rams will stay at home and welcome the Cardinals to SoFi Stadium in Week 6, a Sunday afternoon matchup in Inglewood. It's only the Rams' second divisional game of the season after losing to the 49ers in Week 1, and it'll be their first time seeing former OC Mike LaFleur on the other sideline for Arizona.
At 2-3, the Rams are now a game behind the Seahawks and three games behind the 49ers in the NFC West.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams lose OT thriller vs. Bills, 37-34: Instant analysis of LA's loss
