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Why the Bills Focus Must Remain Solely On The Rams in Week 14

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The Buffalo Bills are riding high off an extremely successful month of November. Despite that, the Bills focus must not look forward to future games and opponents. It’s easy to get lost in the emotions of beating a main rival, and one that has ended Super Bowl aspirations on more than one occasion.

After that victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo was able to bask in the glory of the win during its bye week. During that bye week, quarterback and MVP hopeful Josh Allen got engaged to his girlfriend, Hailee Steinfeld. Those are two of the biggest highs for one person in two weeks.

While it didn’t have the same impact as promising to spend the rest of one’s life with another person, the snow-filled blowout of the San Francisco 49ers furthered that streak of elation. Playing in the snow only helped build Allen’s case to capture his first MVP award. Those extreme highs will eventually wear off. That’s why Buffalo must be on its toes when it plays the Los Angeles Rams in California this weekend.

Why The Bills Focus Must Remain Solely On The Rams in Week 14

The MVP Debate Ramping Up Each Week

Allen has been in the conversation for the 2024 NFL MVP, but last week’s win put him atop the list of potential candidates. Before the Bills’ victory in the snow at Highmark Stadium, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Saquon Barkley, and Derrick Henry were the frontrunners.

Barkley came off a record-setting performance with over 255 yards and two touchdowns on the ground against the Rams. Henry has consistently been atop the rushing stats all year and remains in the conversation. Jackson and Burrow lead the league in several passing statistics. All four have stats that could notch an MVP Award:

  • QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati – 3,497 total yards, 31 total touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 107.4 QB rating
  • QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore – 3,968 total yards, 31 total touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 116.3 QB rating
  • RB Derrick Henry, Baltimore – 1,307 yards rushing, 15 total touchdowns, 15 receptions, 126 yards receiving
  • RB Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia – 1,499 yards rushing, 13 total touchdowns, 37 receptions, 267 yards receiving

Jackson has the Baltimore Ravens in the playoff hunt and plays at a high level each week. Burrow carries the Cincinnati Bengals but is 4-8. Henry and Barkley play for teams that will likely be around deep into January. Buffalo’s main goal is winning a Super Bowl, so anything other than that is secondary. It’d be nice for Allen to win an MVP award, but his focus, and the Bills’ focus, should be on beating the Rams in Week 14.

A Formidable Opponent Directly In The Path

Looking past the Rams could be dangerous for the Bills. Los Angeles may only be 6-6 but is also battling for a playoff spot. Every team in the NFC could technically still win the division. To keep pace, they’ll be playing hard to overtake the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks.

Buffalo’s focus has been on the recent highs so that focus cannot overlook a scrappy Rams team. Week-to-week focus is something legendary coach Bill Belichick knows about. Just look back at his infamous “We’re on to Cincinnati” remarks from the 2014 season.

He knew that the 41-14 blowout loss to the Chiefs was embarrassing but that they needed to shift focus on the next task of beating the Bengals. The New England Patriots won the Super Bowl that year.

Is The Bills Focus on a Potential Super Bowl Matchup?

The Detroit Lions are the best team in the NFC and have blown teams out this season. They’re first in points scored per game (31.9) and second in total yards of offense (395.2). The defense is second in allowing only 16.9 yards per game while notching 30 sacks and 14 interceptions on the year.

The Bills are also one of the most well-rounded teams in the NFL. Re-signing Micah Hyde is a move for depth in the immediate future. It would be easy to look ahead to a game that could be a Super Bowl preview, but Buffalo has to remember that the Rams aren’t slouches.

They’re 11th in the league in passing behind Matt Stafford. Both Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are healthy again. The defense may give up points but is a formidable pass-rushing unit. Four players – Braden Fiske (6), Jared Verse (4.5), Kobie Turner (5), and Byron Young (6) – have at least four sacks.

Sean McVay will be looking to unleash his defense on someone considered a favorite to win the MVP. He may also be using Buffalo’s recent successes as bulletin board material to explain why the Rams may be overlooked this week. To achieve their ultimate goal, the Bills must focus on the immediate task rather than an enticing showdown the following week.

Main Photo: Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The post Why the Bills Focus Must Remain Solely On The Rams in Week 14 appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.