Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams – NFL Week 1 Preview
Buffalo Bills logo
INGLEWOOD, CA (WHEC) – The Buffalo Bills open up the entire 2022 season in the NFL Kickoff Game at SoFi Stadium against the Los Angeles Rams.
Buffalo Bills Gameday Basics
Teams: Buffalo Bills (0-0) at Los Angeles Rams (0-0)
Time: Thursday at 8:20 p.m.
Where: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Network: News10NBC
Bills Injury Report
- Ike Boettger, G (Reserve/PUP)
- Marquez Stevenson, WR (IR)
- Quintin Morris, TE (Questionable)
- Tommy Doyle, TE (Questionable)
- Tre White, CB (Reserve/PUP)
Rams Injury Report
- Daniel Hardy, OLB (Reserve/Injured)
- Logan Bruss, G (Reserve/Injured)
- Quentin Lake, S (Reserve/PUP)
- Travin Howard, ILB (Reserve/NFI)
- Van Jefferson, WR (Out)
What’s At Stake?
Well, for one, it’s the first game of the NFL season. Even though so little of an indication of how the season will go, the Bills still have their eyes set on a week one win over the defensing Super Bowl champs. After all, it sets the tone.
This specific NFL Kickoff Game has a little extra weight added to it. Buffalo didn’t play in last year’s Super Bowl, which is usually how this game goes. However, they did have one of the most gut-wrenching losses in NFL Playoffs history. While the only bandage that will cover up that bruise is a Super Bowl LVII win, a win on Thursday night would remind everyone what the Bills are all about.
Last Time Out:
While this is the first regular season game for both teams, the Bills did have a preseason game on August 26 at the Carolina Panthers.
That was an ugly game for the Bills, who in part were dealing with the turmoil and fallout of the lawsuit accusing former punter Matt Araiza of gang-rape. Buffalo released Araiza the next day.
The Panthers shutout the Bills 21-0, although Buffalo didn’t play most of its starters, including Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, and Von Miller.
In essence, there is no real last time out. That was preseason. This is the real thing.
Bills Player To Watch
Von Miller
The Bills made a major splash by signing Von Miller in the offseason to a six-year $120 million contract. Miller comes over from the Rams, where he helped lead them to a Super Bowl in February.
Now, the future Hall of Famer comes to Western New York to try and help put Buffalo over the top. Last season, defense was an issue in the Bills’ divisional round loss to Kansas City, and adding someone like Miller should help strengthen that in big games.
After all, it was a defensive unit that finished first in the league last year, but sometimes it’s about a player that has two Super Bowl rings that can make all the difference.
Ultimately, Miller will a major piece to watch all season. But how cool is it that he gets to start the new season lining up against the same players he shared such a special moment with seven months ago?
Miller’s on everyone’s watch tonight.