Aidan Thompson
Assistant Sports Editor
The Los Angeles Rams celebrated their Super Bowl win from last season Thursday night on their home turf – SoFi stadium.
However, it was the Buffalo Bills who came out strong and made a statement winning on opening-night. Analysts pick the Bills as their Super Bowl favorites this season – and it’s living up to the hype so far in their 31-10 victory over the defending champions. The Bills had a sloppy first half, but picked things up after halftime to secure their blowout victory.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen is living up to the hype of him being favored in betting odds for league MVP. He had two interceptions, although one was from a tipped pass which wasn’t his fault, contributing to the four overall turnovers for the Bills in this game. He was 26-for-31, throwing for 297 yards with three touchdown passes as he also added in a rushing touchdown. All three of his touchdown passes were to three different receivers, those being Gabe Davis, Isaiah McKenzie and Stefon Diggs. Diggs finished with eight catches, 122 yards and added a touchdown as well. Diggs wasn’t the only star on this team, as the Bills defense also showed out. They finished with seven sacks on the night, three interceptions and only gave up 10 points to the high powered Rams offense.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford had 240 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions in this poor showing. The defending champs were missing Odell Beckham Jr, who tore his ACL in their Super Bowl win, and was still unsigned as a free agent. But the Rams signed former Chicago Bear wide receiver, Allen Robinson III during this offseason, in hopes of filling Beckham’s role on the offense. That wasn’t the case for this game. Robinson was only targeted once and he hauled in that target. Stafford seemed to never look his way. Their number one wide receiver, Cooper Kupp, continued his dominance from last season – having 13 catches for 128 yards and a touchdown. Kupp was the only good part of the Rams offense, and he’ll likely put up these numbers more as he’s Stafford's favorite target.
Both teams are predicted by analysts to come out of their respective conferences. But the season is still young – anything can happen.