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Week 5: Bills vs. Rams
 at 
Sunday, Oct. 9th
4:25pm ET
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The Bills head to Los Angeles for their first game in America's second largest city since a 1992 game against the Raiders. The last time they played the Rams in LA was in 1983. The Bills are coming off back to back wins and are looking for three straight wins for the first time since 2011. That year was also the last time that a Rex Ryan coached team won three straight games. The Rams are a surprising 3-1 and have won three straight games. The Bills haven't won a game on the West Coast since 2004.
FACTS AND FIGURES
| Matchup: |
Buffalo (2-2) vs. Los Angeles (3-1) |
| Place: |
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum |
| TV/Radio: |
Network: CBS; DirecTV: 714; Sirius: 108; SXM 228 |
| Announcers: |
Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon, & Scott Kaplan |
| Spread: |
Rams by 3 |
| Series: |
Bills lead 6-5 |
| Streak: |
Rams Won 1 |
| Last Meeting: |
Rams 15-12 in Buffalo (2012) |
| Rams Offense: |
Rush (30th); Pass (30th); overall (32nd) |
| Rams Defense: |
Rush (17th); Pass (23rd); overall (23rd) |
| Bills Offense: |
Rush (7th); Pass (31st); overall (28th) |
| Bills Defense: |
Rush (13th); Pass (17th); overall (17th) |
INJURY UPDATE
The Bills are battling injuries especially at offensive tackle and wide receiver. Cyrus Kouandjio and Cordy Glenn are both battling ankle injuries. Glenn returned last week but is still not full healthy. Kouandjio is currently trying to work himself back. Greg Salas remains sidelined with a groin injury and that is made worse with Sammy Watkins on IR. Stephon Gilmore injured his ankle in practice on Wednesday. Patrick Lewis remains sidelined with a knee injury while Corey White is sidelined with a shoulder injury.
The Rams are very healthy the biggest name on their injury report is Robert Quinn who has missed practice time this week with a shoulder injury. WR Kenny Britt has missed time with a thigh injury as well.
Check out our  Bills Daily Injury Page throughout the week for the latest updates on the injured players.
KEY MATCHUPS
RB LeSean McCoy vs. MLB Alec Ogletree:
McCoy is the unquestioned main star of the Bills offense with Sammy Watkins out for the year. They need to get him going each and every week. Ogletree is a solid run stuffer in the middle of the Rams defense. He leads the team with 35 tackles and will be watching Shady like a hawk.
C Eric Wood vs. DT Aaron Donald:
Wood will get some help from his guards against arguably the best defensive player in the game in Donald.
LB Zach Brown vs. RB Todd Gurley:
Brown is playing like his hair is on fire and even though Gurley is off to a rough start this season they need to watch out for him. He is a very talented running back who can break out at any time. It's partially Brown's job to make sure this isn't the week.
LT Cordy Glenn vs. DE Robert Quinn:
Glenn is struggling with an ankle injury and is less than 100 percent. That will be an issue against Quinn who is a solid pass rusher.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Contain Gurley: Even though he's struggled, Gurley is the best offensive weapon they have. They need to keep him contained and watch for them to use him more in the passing game to get him in space. If they can keep him under control that will go a long way in shutting down the Rams offense.
2. Win The Battle Up Front: The Rams have a solid defensive front led by Donald and Quinn. They need to be able to control the line of scrimmage on offense to open holes for McCoy and give Tyrod Taylor time to throw.
3. Keep Taylor Moving: This doesn't mean he has to take off and run but they need to do what they did last week and keep the pocket moving. This way Taylor will have more throwing lanes to get the ball over the middle and will keep the solid front seven of the Rams honest.
BILLS DAILY PREDICTION
On paper you would think the Bills have a slight edge but it is never easy going across the coast to play a game especially for the Bills. Rex Ryan is mixing it up by flying out on Saturday instead of Friday like he has done in the past. Will that be the difference? I think this team is focused on the task at hand and won't allow a letdown from the big win in New England. That should allow them to pull the game out in a close defensive battle:
Bills 16, Rams 13
Season Prediction Record: (3-1)
Season Record Against The Spread: (3-1)
Bills Blitz - Coming Sunday Night!
Gameday Grades - Coming Sunday Night or Monday Morning!
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