Los Angeles Rams vs. Buffalo Bills – NFL Betting Picks

While the attention of the football world is likely on matchups between the Saints and Packers or the Ravens and Chiefs, an underrated battle of 2-0 teams is scheduled to take place in Buffalo. The undefeated Los Angeles Rams are traveling to New York State to take on the Buffalo Bills. And beyond the intrigue created by two undefeated teams taking the field, one unique travel situation could determine which way to go when making NFL betting picks.

The aforementioned travel situation impacts the Rams heading into this game. Los Angeles had to travel from the West coast to the East coast ahead of last week’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Due to the league’s COVID-19 protocol, they were then required to travel back to Los Angeles after that game. The team will then fly back East to Buffalo over the weekend, creating a travel schedule that could impact their ability to perform on Sunday.

The Los Angeles Rams are 2-0 this season after back-to-back wins against NFC East opponents. Sean McVay’s team defeated the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1 before traveling East to score a road win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2. While the Rams have looked impressive so far this season, they have done so against two teams that have shown significant weaknesses through the opening two weeks of the season.

Buffalo has also picked up two wins against Eastern division opponents this season. Instead of winning twice against NFC East opponents, the Bills have taken care of business against AFC East foes. They won their opener at home over the New York Jets before winning at Miami in Week 2. Their schedule has also been far from impressive thus far, though their two division wins will be helpful to the team’s playoff chances later in the season.

Both teams have enjoyed red-hot quarterback play to start this season. Both Josh Allen and Jared Goff have averaged at least 9.0 yards per pass attempt this season. Despite both quarterbacks receiving criticism for their lack of accuracy to this point in their careers, both have been everything their teams have needed and more so far in 2020.

Statistically, the Bills have been better on both sides of the ball so far this season. Both teams are in the top-five in the NFL in yards per play on offense and in the top-15 in yards per play on defense. But the Bills are slightly ahead in both categories, with a net yards per play advantage of 0.4 yards per play over the Rams through two weeks.

Buffalo has a unique opportunity this week, given the way that the first two weeks of the season have played out in the AFC East. In a division usually dominated by the New England Patriots, the Bills can remain in sole possession of first place with a win in this game, by virtue of the Patriots’ loss last week in Seattle. The Rams will come out with a similar sense of urgency, as the NFC West is shaping up to be the toughest division in football this season. With three of the four teams in the division holding 2-0 records, the Rams may feel like they can’t afford to lose anytime soon.

In all, these two teams are virtually equal through two weeks both statistically and situationally. But the huge difference heading into this game will be all of the traveling that the Rams have had to do just to make it to Buffalo in the first place. Expect the Bills to come out the sharper team in the first quarter and to build a lead, one they will not relinquish en route to a win both straight up and against the spread.