Bills vs. Rams prediction: Puka Nacua poised to shine again on Monday Night Football
A star-studded interconference matchup between the Bills and Rams is on tap for “Monday Night Football.”Although it is only Week 5, these two teams sit atop the Super Bowl odds leaderboard in early October, with both having strong odds to play into February.Buffalo enters as three-point underdogs after their first loss to the Patriots, following a below-average outing by Josh Allen and company.Sean McVay and the Rams rallied to complete a comeback in Philadelphia against the Eagles, welcoming the return of wideout Puka Nacua.After missing two games, Nacua rose to the occasion, catching nine passes for 125 yards and adding a rushing touchdown.The Bills’ secondary hasn’t played up to par so far this season, allowing 256.2 yards per game through the air and ten passing touchdowns in four contests.Among the many DB concerns for Jim Leonhard’s group, Maxwell Hairston notably struggled to stay with Romeo Doubs in Week 4.
Hairston has allowed opposing pass catchers 14.8 yards per catch this season. With a veteran signal-caller like Matthew Stafford under center, the Rams offense is likely to exploit this weakness.Nacua, in particular, was targeted 12 times and averaged 13.9 yards per reception in Week 4.Allen and James Cook, the NFL’s reigning rushing champ, will look to control the clock on the ground.
However, the Rams boast a defense up to the task, allowing just 102.1 rushing yards per contest and giving up only one rushing touchdown heading into Week 5.Things also get tougher for Allen in the pocket as vertical threat Joshua Palmer is listed out with an injury and offseason trade acquisition DJ Moore carries a questionable tag after reaggravating a shoulder issue. Oddsmakers have posted a total of 54.5, signaling a potential shootout, though Los Angeles gets a significant defensive boost with Aaron Donald and cornerback Jaylen Watson also returning to action.I expect Nacua to shake loose offensively and generate splash plays that’ll lead to a Rams wi...