Los Angeles Rams vs Buffalo Bills Picks and Predictions December 8th 2024

Los Angeles Rams vs Buffalo Bills December 8th 2024

The game is being televised on FOX, with the Bills favored on the road at -4.5. The Bills’ money line odds are -213, and the Rams‘ odds are +177. The Rams and Bills are facing off at 4:25 ET at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. Buffalo vs. Los Angeles is a non-conference matchup, and the over/under line is set at 49 points.

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Buffalo vs. Los Angeles Key Information

• Teams: Bills at Rams
• Where: SoFi Stadium Inglewood
• Date: Sunday, December 8th
• Betting Odds BUF -213 | LAR +177 O/U 49

The Bills Can Win If…

The Bills head into week 14 on a seven-game winning streak, including a 35-10 victory over the 49ers in week 13. Buffalo was a 6.5-point favorite in this matchup and easily covered the spread. This win improved their record to 10-2, keeping them at the top of the AFC East and 2nd in our NFL power rankings.

With a +10.9 scoring margin, the Bills are 8-4 against the spread this season. They have covered in three straight games, including a 9-point win over the Chiefs in week 11 and a 10-point win over the Colts in week 10. Buffalo has a 7-2 ATS record as favorites and is 1-2 as underdogs.

In our offensive power rankings, the Bills are 3rd in the NFL, and they are 2nd in the league in points per game, averaging 29.6. They are 10th in the NFL in yards per game (347.5) and 17th in passing yards per game (219.9), despite ranking 21st in passing attempts. On the ground, they are 11th in rushing yards per game, with 127.6, on 28.8 attempts per game. Buffalo is 8th in the NFL in 3rd-down conversion percentage and ranks 29th in red zone conversion percentage.

Josh Allen had a strong performance in week 13, posting a passer rating of 141 against the 49ers, with 148 yards and 2 touchdowns on 13/17 passing. James Cook led the rushing attack with 107 yards on 14 carries, while Dawson Knox had 56 receiving yards on 2 catches. Buffalo scored in every quarter in week 13, putting up 7, 14, 7, and 7 points in each quarter.

Buffalo’s defense was dominant in their 35-10 win over the 49ers, holding them to just 86 yards passing on 11 completions. The 49ers managed only 239 total yards, with 153 coming on the ground across 27 attempts. The Bills’ secondary limited San Francisco to just 61.1% completions and kept them out of the endzone through the air.

On third downs, the Bills allowed the 49ers to convert just 30% of their chances. Additionally, Buffalo’s defense recorded two sacks and won the tackles for loss battle.

• Buffalo has put together a record of 3-0 over their past three games. This also includes going 3-0 ATS and an over-under mark of 2-1.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Buffalo has a record of 8-2. In these contests, the team went just 7-3 against the spread, while going 6-4 on the over-under.

The Rams Can Win If…

With a 6-6 record, the Rams are 3rd in the NFC West and 16th in our power rankings. They have a 22.9% chance of making the playoffs and a 21.3% chance of winning the division. L.A. is 5-7 against the spread, with a +3 scoring margin. Their O/U record is 6-6, with an average of 45.3 points in their games.

After losing to the Eagles in week 12, the Rams bounced back with a 21-14 win over the Saints in week 13. They were 2.5-point favorites and covered the spread, improving to 6-6. The combined score of 35 points went under the 48.5-point line.

Heading into week 14, the Rams are 15th in our offensive power rankings. They are 19th in the NFL in points per game (21.2) and 18th in yards per game (331). Los Angeles ranks 10th in passing attempts and 11th in passing yards per game (230.8). On the ground, they are 22nd in rushing attempts and 26th in rushing yards per game (100.2). The Rams have struggled on 3rd down, converting just 32.6% of their attempts, which ranks 29th in the league.

Matthew Stafford has posted passer ratings of 110, 104, and 142 in his last three games, with no interceptions during that span. In week 13, he threw for 183 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Saints. Kyren Williams rushed for 104 yards on 15 carries, while Puka Nacua led the team with 5 catches for 56 yards and a touchdown.

In their 21-14 win over the Saints, the Rams’ defense gave up 143 rushing yards on 31 attempts, with New Orleans finishing at 4.6 yards per attempt on the ground. Despite this, the Rams’ defense was tough against the pass, allowing just 184 yards through the air and limiting the Saints to a 5.0 yards per attempt. New Orleans finished with a 33.3% third-down conversion rate and 327 total yards.

The Rams’ defense didn’t record any sacks in the game, but they did win the tackles for loss battle, finishing with one more tackle for loss than the Saints. New Orleans managed to find the endzone once through the air, with opposing quarterbacks completing 64.9% of their passes against the Rams.

• Over their last three regular season games, the Rams have gone 1-2 straight up. In these contests, the team went just 1-2 against the spread, while going 2-1 on the over-under.
• Across Los Angeles’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 7-3. Against the spread, Los Angeles went 5-5 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Lean

Our pick vs. the spread is to take the Rams to cover as home underdogs. They are currently sitting at +4.5 point underdogs, and although we have the Bills winning by a score of 26-25, the Rams’ point spread is our best bet.

For the over/under, with the line sitting at 49 points, we have these teams combining for 51 points, making the over our recommended play.

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Rams Look to Overcome the Challenge That Is Josh Allen and the Bills

The Los Angeles Rams face a monumental task as they prepare to host the Buffalo Bills this Sunday afternoon. Spearheaded by MVP candidate Josh Allen, the Bills (10-2) are riding a seven-game winning streak and are just one game behind the Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC’s top seed. Meanwhile, the Rams (6-6) are fighting for consistency and a chance to revive their season.

Josh Allen: The Unstoppable Force

Josh Allen’s dominance this season has been nothing short of remarkable. The Bills quarterback has racked up 20 passing touchdowns, 334 rushing yards, and six rushing scores, boasting a 100.3 passer rating. His dual-threat capability has made him a nightmare for opposing defenses.

Last week, Allen delivered a jaw-dropping performance against the 49ers, contributing to touchdowns through passing, rushing, and even receiving—all while completing 26 of 31 passes. He has firmly established himself as one of the NFL’s premier playmakers.

Even Rams coach Sean McVay acknowledges the challenge Allen presents:
“If I had the answer, it would be a lot easier,” McVay said. “Everybody tries to figure that out week in and week out.”

The Rams’ Quest for Consistency

In stark contrast to the Bills’ momentum, the Rams have struggled with inconsistency, alternating wins and losses over the past five weeks. However, a gritty 21-14 win over the New Orleans Saints last week has provided hope as the team prepares for its toughest challenge yet.

Key Players to Watch

• Matthew Stafford: The veteran quarterback has thrown for 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season. While his stats pale in comparison to Allen’s, Stafford’s leadership and experience could play a critical role in keeping the Rams competitive.
• Kyren Williams: The emerging star running back has been a bright spot for the Rams, amassing 926 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. His ability to control the ground game will be pivotal.
• Cooper Kupp: Despite injuries limiting his season to eight games, Kupp remains one of the league’s most reliable receivers, contributing 565 yards and five touchdowns.

Battle of the Trenches

One of the Rams’ strengths lies in their defensive line. Despite being young, this unit is packed with talent and has the potential to disrupt Allen’s rhythm. Allen himself acknowledged their prowess:
“Their defensive line is one of the better units you’ll see. They’ve got a lot of dogs up front, some really, really good players.”

The Rams recently bolstered their secondary by claiming cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. off waivers. The former first-round pick from Washington is looking to reignite his confidence and make an immediate impact.
“They saw I wasn’t playing with confidence,” Forbes admitted. “I’m looking forward to just going out and playing ball.”

The Bills’ Momentum

Buffalo’s success this season extends beyond Josh Allen. Running back James Cook leads the ground game with 703 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, while wide receiver Khalil Shakir has become a reliable target with 60 catches for 629 yards.

The Bills have already clinched the AFC East title, but they are far from complacent. Allen emphasized the need for focus as they prepare to face a hungry Rams team:
“We understand we’re going all the way across the country to a team that’s very hungry. They’ve been playing really good football as of late.”

Historical Context

The last time these teams met was on Sept. 8, 2022, when the Bills dismantled the Rams in a 31-10 victory. In that game, Allen threw for 297 yards and three touchdowns, while Stafford struggled with three interceptions.

For the Rams, this game offers an opportunity for redemption and a chance to prove they can compete against one of the NFL’s elite teams.

Game Outlook

While the Bills are clear favorites, the Rams have shown resilience in moments of adversity. If they can control the pace of the game through Kyren Williams and generate consistent pressure on Allen, an upset may not be out of reach. However, the Rams will need a near-flawless performance to counter the firepower of Buffalo’s offense.

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Key Matchups to Watch

1. Josh Allen vs. Rams’ Defensive Line: Can the Rams’ pass rush force Allen into rare mistakes?
2. Kyren Williams vs. Bills’ Run Defense: Establishing a strong ground game will be crucial for the Rams to keep Allen off the field.
3. Matthew Stafford vs. Bills’ Secondary: Stafford must avoid turnovers and take advantage of Buffalo’s defensive lapses.

Conclusion

The Rams face an uphill battle against a Bills team firing on all cylinders. While Josh Allen and his supporting cast appear poised to maintain their dominance, the Rams’ mix of young defensive talent and offensive weapons could make this a closer contest than many expect.

Sunday’s game is more than just a matchup—it’s a litmus test for two teams with very different trajectories. Will the Bills continue their march toward the top of the AFC, or can the Rams rise to the occasion and keep their playoff hopes alive?