Los Angeles Rams vs. Buffalo Bills: 2020 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-09-27, the Buffalo Bills took care of business against the Los Angeles Rams, pulling away with a 35–32 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 22 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Allen (Buffalo Bills) paced the passing game, with +8.63 total EPA, and +12.1% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Goff (Los Angeles Rams) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.37 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+30.8% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Buffalo Bills changed the game: (:21) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 81-T.Kroft for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 J. Goff · Los Angeles Rams · Passing · +12.37 total EPA · 37 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Allen · Buffalo Bills · Passing · +8.63 total EPA · 41 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Kupp · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +7.33 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.73 EPA/play
4. 4 C. Beasley · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +5.86 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.84 EPA/play
5. 5 G. Davis · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +5.86 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.47 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Henderson · Los Angeles Rams · Rushing · +5.82 total EPA · 21 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
7. 7 R. Woods · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +4.82 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.80 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Higbee · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +4.77 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.59 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Buffalo Bills — L. Smith (J. Allen pass) (Q1 46:46)
• Buffalo Bills — J. Allen (Q2 40:08)
• Buffalo Bills — T. Kroft (J. Allen pass) (Q2 30:43)
• Buffalo Bills — S. Diggs (J. Allen pass) (Q3 23:10)
• Los Angeles Rams — J. Goff (Q3 19:49)
• Los Angeles Rams — R. Woods (J. Goff pass) (Q3 18:02)
• Los Angeles Rams — C. Kupp (J. Goff pass) (Q4 10:40)
• Los Angeles Rams — D. Henderson (Q4 4:33)
• Buffalo Bills — T. Kroft (J. Allen pass) (Q4 0:21)

Field goals

• Los Angeles Rams — S. Sloman (Q2 33:13)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 7–0. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the LA 1 (Q1 46:46) — (1:46) 17-J.Allen pass short right to 85-L.Smith for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q1 46:41) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-9-C.Bojorquez..

The second quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 14–3. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the LA 1 (Q2 40:08) — (10:08) (No Huddle) 17-J.Allen right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q2 40:04) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-9-C.Bojorquez.; Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the BUF 12 (Q2 33:13) — (3:13) 1-S.Sloman 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the LA 3 (Q2 30:43) — (:43) 17-J.Allen pass short right to 81-T.Kroft for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q2 30:38) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-9-C.Bojorquez..

The third quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 14–7. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the LA 4 (Q3 23:10) — (8:10) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 14-S.Diggs for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN [99-A.Donald].; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q3 23:05) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-9-C.Bojorquez.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the BUF 1 (Q3 19:49) — (4:49) 16-J.Goff up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q3 19:47) — 1-S.Sloman extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the BUF 25 (Q3 18:02) — (3:02) 16-J.Goff pass short right to 17-R.Woods for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN [57-A.Epenesa].; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q3 17:52) — 1-S.Sloman extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker..

The fourth quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 15–7. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the BUF 16 (Q4 10:40) — (10:40) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 10-C.Kupp for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams registered a safety from the BUF 2 (Q4 10:34) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 16-J.Goff pass to 89-T.Higbee is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the BUF 1 (Q4 4:33) — (4:33) (No Huddle) 27-D.Henderson left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q4 4:30) — 1-S.Sloman extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the LA 3 (Q4 0:21) — (:21) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 81-T.Kroft for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q4 0:15) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-9-C.Bojorquez..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Buffalo Bills (Q4 0:21) — (:21) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 81-T.Kroft for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +30.8% · EPA +1.93]
• Buffalo Bills (Q4 7:32) — (7:32) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen sacked at 50 for -8 yards (99-A.Donald). FUMBLES (99-A.Donald) [99-A.Donald], RECOVERED by LA-99-A.Donald at LA 48. 99-A.Donald to LA 48 for no gain (66-B.Winters). PENALTY [WPA -25.0% · EPA -4.49]
• Buffalo Bills (Q4 0:25) — (:25) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass incomplete short left to 13-G.Davis. PENALTY on LA-31-D.Williams, Defensive Pass Interference, 10 yards, enforced at LA 13 - No Play. [WPA +20.1% · EPA +2.60]
• Buffalo Bills (Q4 0:49) — (:49) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass incomplete short left. PENALTY on BUF-17-J.Allen, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced at LA 15 - No Play. [WPA -18.0% · EPA -1.27]
• Buffalo Bills (Q4 1:37) — (1:37) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short middle to 11-C.Beasley to LA 15 for 19 yards (22-T.Hill). [WPA +16.6% · EPA +1.41]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Buffalo Bills (Q4 7:32) — (7:32) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen sacked at 50 for -8 yards (99-A.Donald). FUMBLES (99-A.Donald) [99-A.Donald], RECOVERED by LA-99-A.Donald at LA 48. 99-A.Donald to LA 48 for no gain (66-B.Winters). PENALTY [WPA -25.0% · EPA -4.49]
• Los Angeles Rams (Q1 53:12) — (8:12) 1-S.Sloman 53 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker. [WPA -8.0% · EPA -4.09]
• Los Angeles Rams (Q4 11:07) — (11:07) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass deep middle to 17-R.Woods to BUF 16 for 31 yards (49-T.Edmunds). BUF-23-M.Hyde was injured during the play. His return is Questionable. [WPA +5.4% · EPA +3.48]
• Los Angeles Rams (Q2 44:07) — (14:07) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short left intended for 12-V.Jefferson INTERCEPTED by 39-L.Wallace at BUF 34. 39-L.Wallace to BUF 34 for no gain (12-V.Jefferson). [WPA -5.6% · EPA -3.12]

Quarterback report card

J.Allen led all passers in efficiency for Buffalo Bills, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Allen (Buffalo Bills) · 41 dropbacks · 58.5% completion · +12.1% CPOE · +0.21 EPA/play · +8.63 total EPA
• J.Goff (Los Angeles Rams) · 37 dropbacks · 62.2% completion · +6.5% CPOE · +0.33 EPA/play · +12.37 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Los Angeles Rams +0.21, Buffalo Bills +0.20) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Buffalo Bills: 10 drives, +15.11 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Los Angeles Rams: 10 drives, +17.33 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Buffalo Bills leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• J. Goff (Los Angeles Rams) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Allen (BUF) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• J. Goff (LA) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q1 46:46 · LA 1 · Score 0-6
   (1:46) 17-J.Allen pass short right to 85-L.Smith for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q1 46:41 · LA 15 · Score 0-7
   2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-9-C.Bojorquez.
3. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 40:08 · LA 1 · Score 0-13
   (10:08) (No Huddle) 17-J.Allen right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 40:04 · LA 15 · Score 0-14
   2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-9-C.Bojorquez.
5. Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q2 33:13 · BUF 12 · Score 3-14
   (3:13) 1-S.Sloman 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
6. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 30:43 · LA 3 · Score 3-20
   (:43) 17-J.Allen pass short right to 81-T.Kroft for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 30:38 · LA 15 · Score 3-21
   2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-9-C.Bojorquez.
8. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q3 23:10 · LA 4 · Score 3-27
   (8:10) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 14-S.Diggs for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN [99-A.Donald].
9. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q3 23:05 · LA 15 · Score 3-28
   2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-9-C.Bojorquez.
10. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q3 19:49 · BUF 1 · Score 9-28
    (4:49) 16-J.Goff up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q3 19:47 · BUF 15 · Score 10-28
    1-S.Sloman extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
12. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q3 18:02 · BUF 25 · Score 16-28
    (3:02) 16-J.Goff pass short right to 17-R.Woods for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN [57-A.Epenesa].
13. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q3 17:52 · BUF 15 · Score 17-28
    1-S.Sloman extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
14. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q4 10:40 · BUF 16 · Score 23-28
    (10:40) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 10-C.Kupp for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Los Angeles Rams Safety (+2) — Q4 10:34 · BUF 2 · Score 25-28
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 16-J.Goff pass to 89-T.Higbee is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
16. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q4 4:33 · BUF 1 · Score 31-28
    (4:33) (No Huddle) 27-D.Henderson left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q4 4:30 · BUF 15 · Score 32-28
    1-S.Sloman extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
18. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q4 0:21 · LA 3 · Score 32-34
    (:21) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 81-T.Kroft for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q4 0:15 · LA 15 · Score 32-35
    2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-9-C.Bojorquez.