Rams Lose to Bills at Coliseum

The Los Angeles Rams gambled and lost on fake punt deep in their own territory late in the 4th quarter, turning the ball and the game over to the Buffalo Bills, 30-19, on a hot Sunday afternoon, October 9, 2016 before an anxious and slightly smaller crowd than the announced paid attendance of 83,679 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

"I wouldn't have called it if I didn't think it was going to work. That's how those things are. We practiced it all week, we had the look, and it didn't work. I'll take that," said Los Angeles Head Coach Jeff Fisher.

"Everything went into it. I like the look. I like the play. We got the look and they made the play. I think their outside guy made the play. He stopped coverage when he heard the crowd roar, so he came back and made the play."

Ultimately, the Bills' running game combined with four Ram turnovers kept Los Angeles at bay as Buffalo increased its 16-13 halftime lead by adding two touchdowns in the 2nd half. Buffalo running back LeSean McCoy did the most damage by gaining 150 yards on 18 rushes for an 8.3 yards-per-carry average.

L.A. linebacker Alec Ogletree on McCoy: ""It was especially on us, we just didn't get in our gaps. We just kind of made up some stuff and they took advantage of our miscues. I thought we did a good job when we did get around him, we were able to stop him a little bit. He's one of the better backs in the league, if you make a mistake, he can definitely find a hole."

The Rams could only answer with a pair of Greg Zuerlein's field goals as the offense failed to put the ball into the end zone in the final two quarters. Zuerlein scored 12 of the Rams' 19 points by hitting a field goal in each of the quarters including a 54-yarder that tied the score at 16-16 at 8:11 of the 3rd quarter.

Todd Gurley scored L.A.'s only touchdown that tied the game, 13-13, with 4:39 remaining in the 1st half before the Bills added a field goal as time ran out to end the half. Gurley lead the Rams in rushing with 72 yards on 23 carries but struggled again to make a significant impact.

Quarterback Case Keenum completed 21/31 passing for 271 yards but threw two interceptions, including a very painful pick-six by Buffalo cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman who returned it for a 41-yard touchdown after the Rams had tied the score, 16-16, on their first possession of the 3rd quarter.

Statistically, the Rams lead the Bills in time of possession – 35:34 to 24:26, offensive total yards – 325 to 305; passing yards – 243 to 112; and first downs – 23 to 15. The Bills countered by rushing for 193 yards on 27 plays compared to Los Angeles struggling to run for a mere 102 yards on 29 plays.

Read the full story in the coming edition of the Culver City Observer.