Against Allen, Rams Have Work Cut Out For Them

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 12, 2026

The Los Angeles Rams will face the Buffalo Bills on Monday night in a rematch of their previous high-scoring game, where the Rams narrowly won despite an impressive performance by Bills quarterback Josh Allen. The game will test the Rams’ strengthened defensive line, including the return of Aaron Donald, as both teams aim to bolster their playoff chances with a victory.

The Los Angeles Rams are preparing to face the Buffalo Bills on Monday night at SoFi Stadium in a highly anticipated rematch of their Week 14 encounter during the 2024 NFL season. The previous meeting between the two teams was a high-scoring, closely contested game that ended in a 44-42 victory for the Rams, despite an outstanding performance from Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who passed for 342 yards and three touchdowns and added 82 rushing yards with three more scores.

Allen, the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player, is widely regarded as a formidable challenge for any defense. Rams head coach Sean McVay described him as “a very, very special and troublesome player to defend.” Allen’s combination of size, speed, and arm talent makes him a versatile threat both in the air and on the ground. In their past three matchups, Allen has totaled 10 passing touchdowns and five rushing touchdowns against the Rams.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who is also a former NFL MVP, has led his team to a 2-2 record this season with six passing touchdowns and six interceptions. He orchestrated two fourth-quarter touchdown drives in a narrow 24-20 win over the Philadelphia Eagles and acknowledges the difficulty of containing Allen. “He’s a big-time player. It’s fun to watch,” Stafford said, emphasizing Allen’s unique ability to extend plays unpredictably.

Defensively, the Rams have relied on several newly acquired and veteran players to contain Allen’s dual-threat skill set. Cornerback Trent McDuffie, who joined the team in March and previously faced Allen multiple times while with the Kansas City Chiefs, noted the quarterback’s ability to manipulate timing and make decisions at varying speeds. “You just never know when the ball is coming,” McDuffie said.

Edge rusher Byron Young echoed that sentiment, highlighting the dilemma defenders face when deciding whether to commit to a rush or contain Allen’s scrambling ability. Defensive lineman Kobie Turner shared a firsthand experience, recalling an injury sustained while attempting to tackle Allen in the previous meeting and describing the quarterback as one of the few who truly carries his team’s offensive burden.

The return of superstar defensive lineman Aaron Donald is expected to boost the Rams’ pass rush for the rematch. Donald, who missed the recent game against the Eagles due to a back injury, has a history of successfully pressuring Allen, having sacked him multiple times during previous seasons. Comparing Allen’s playing style to that of former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Donald emphasized the importance of physicality in bringing Allen down. “You have to find ways to keep him in the box,” Donald said. “Don’t let him stiff-arm you and be able to look downfield and throw a touchdown.”

The Monday night game will not only pit two recent NFL MVPs against each other but also test the Rams’ improved defensive front and strategy against one of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks. The outcomes of this contest could have significant implications for both teams’ playoff aspirations as the season progresses.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.