The Buffalo Bills just galloped right past the Los Angeles Rams for a 37-34 win on Monday Night Football, and honestly, it was an absolute advertisement for how explosive plays own the NFL right now.
The Explosive Play Divide Was Real
Talk about a tale of two offenses, right? The Rams definitely went with a grinding offensive attack. We saw them methodically move down the field, racking up 78 offensive plays and a staggering 33 first downs. But here’s the kicker: they had only FIVE explosive plays! And every single one of those came on pass plays, all of them in the last half and overtime. Overall in 2026, L.A. sits 17th in explosive offensive plays. That’s just not gonna cut it in today’s league.
Conversely, the Bills? They played to absolute form. They’re first in NFL Explosive Play Rate for a reason, folks! They dropped TEN offensive explosives on just 57 offensive plays, and they were perfectly mixed between run and pass. Oh, and they tacked on an 11th explosive in the return game. The Bills didn’t even drop bombs on the L.A. defense; their big plays came from identifying lanes and just straight up open field running. Whether it was patient quarterbacks when the Rams pass rush didn’t get home, or backs and receivers getting the ball in space, all of it applied pressure to what looks like limited athleticism in L.A.’s linebacker and safety units. That’s why the Rams defense is 25th in explosives allowed. That’s a huge, glaring problem.
Atwell Steps Up, Stafford Shines, But It Wasn’t Enough
Sean McVay showed his hand for the third receiver role, putting Tutu Atwell out there for 32 snaps against Buffalo. That’s the most he’s had in a game since Week 5 last season, so it’s a clear indication of who McVay likes most right now, definitely over Jordan Whittington or Konata Mumpfield, who combined for a mere 17 snaps. Atwell was only targeted once for a four-yard catch, but obviously, McVay thinks L.A. can do some things differently with him in the lineup.
And what about Matthew Stafford? Man, he played well enough for the Rams to win this thing! He was absolutely lights out in the fourth quarter, going 11 of 13 for 119 yards as the Rams put up 20 points. Last week against Philly, he was 13 of 17 for 149 yards and two scores. It’s just too bad the outcome wasn’t fully in his hands on that overtime drive. Kyren Williams, the running back, never really got into a groove as a run threat because the offensive braintrust decided again that 50-plus passes was the path to victory. Still, Williams had a couple of nice pass blocking reps and made an amazing catch late, reaching a hand back to snatch a pass that Stafford threw behind him on a third and seven from the Buffalo 10. Blake Corum actually did some damage as a receiver, hauling in three of four targets, including a really nice 34-yard catch and run at the end of the third. But when you’re giving up “countless” special teams gaffes, like the Rams did that let the Bills gallop right past them, well, that’s just tough to overcome, no matter how good your QB is.
The game proved what we already know about today’s NFL: explosive plays can either set or change the tone of the outcome. When you’re grinding out every yard but not delivering those big-play punches, and your defense is bleeding them, that’s a tough spot to be in for the rest of the season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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