After a lengthy off-season, we are now nearing the kick-off of the 2022 NFL season. This season begins on the 8th of September with an opening match at SoFi Stadium in California.
It is an exciting match-up between a rising powerhouse and a squad whose tenacity produced a Super Bowl win last season. The teams at the center of the action are the Buffalo Bills and the Los Angeles Rams, with the latter hosting the former.
Players and coaches are readying themselves to get into the field while fans anticipate some hot action. If you’re an enthusiastic NFL fan, this article will discuss everything about this season’s opening match.
Buffalo Bills overview 🦬
Founded in 1960, the Buffalo Bills started playing as a member of the AFL. The team rose to prominence, and a few years later, it won two successive AFL titles (1964 and 1965). In 1970, the Bills joined the NFL following a merger between the AFL and NFL.
Though the team has managed to advance to four Super Bowls, it hasn’t won even one.
The Bills play their home matches at the New York-based Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. Additionally, they hold summer training sessions at St. John’s Fisher College in Pittsford, a suburb of New York.
The head coach is Sean McDermott, assisted by Leslie Frazier, Matthew Smiley, and Ken Dorsey, among others.
Los Angeles Rams overview 🐏
One of the NFL’s oldest clubs, the LA Rams, was founded in Cleveland, Ohio in 1936, then known as the Cleveland Rams. The team joined the NFL a year later but didn’t post a win in five successive seasons.
In 1943, the club was disbanded because of workforce shortages caused by the 2nd World War. However, they soon returned and recorded NFL wins in 1945 and 1951.
The Rams have also recently won two Super Bowls titles in 2000 and 2022.
Currently, the team plays its home matches at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, led by coach Sean McVay and assisted by Brevin Townsell and Liam Coen.
The club competes in the NFL as a member of the West Division of the National Football Conference.
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Previous match-ups 🏈
Overall, the two teams have met and played 13 times. Out of these, the Buffalo Bills have won 8 games while the Los Angeles Rams have won 5.
However, this is the first match-up between the two since the 2020 NFL season.
At that time, the Bills beat the Rams 35-32 when Josh Allen made a winning touchdown to Tyler Kroft, in the last minutes of the match.
Rams’ players to watch
There are many stars on the Los Angeles Rams’ roster going into the 2022 NFL season. But which specific players will make a mark?
The following are the Rams players to watch out for this season:
Aaron Donald
Undoubtedly, Donald is among the best players in American football, and his legacy increases with each season. He has maintained his form over the years and can be compared with legends such as Alan Page and Lawrence Taylor.
Last season, Donald led the Rams into mounting a solid defense, that helped the team to secure a Super Bowl title.
Jalen Ramsey
In 2021, Ramsey really excelled in the game. Though he played a new role, he produced his best overall performance since he joined the team.
Ramsey racked up 12 pass breakups, 25 defensive stops, and 4 interceptions. If he maintains this gameplay, he would definitely do wonders this coming season.
Cooper Kupp
Last season, Kupp emerged as a dominant force for the Rams. Although he was regarded as a slot receiver only, he dominated all over the field.
Kupp caught more than 50% of his contested targets and gained more than 3 yards (3.12) per route run. This is definitely a player to watch out for in 2022.
Bills’ players to watch
The management of Buffalo Bills has been active during the off-season, signing new talent to help raise the team’s roster.
Here are the key players to watch out for this season:
Von Miller
With Miller joining the defense, the team’s performance can improve. Furthermore, he fits the development-oriented culture of the Bills where veterans are brought in, for younger players to learn from.
As one of the top NFL players, Miller will certainly be a valuable asset for the team.
Rodger Saffold
As Saffold is a slot receiver who will greatly impact the Bills’ left guard, the team has brought him in to enhance the protection at the line. This was a concern during the 2021 NFL season.
As a skilled player, Saffold will be able to do just that this season.
Tim Settle
Blocking the run on the defense is something that the Bills are looking to improve this season as they aim for a win. Enter Tim Settle, a player who has the potential to make an impact in that regard.
Settle will also create more chances for the team’s pass rush.
Who are the favorites in this game?
So, who between the two teams will make the biggest statement in the 2022 NFL opener? Definitely, it’s a match that has lots of intrigue for both clubs.
However, according to American football pundits, the Bills are the heavy favorites.
They come to this championship eager to make a statement and compensate for their losses in previous meetings with the Rams.
Nonetheless, the Rams are no pushovers. Since the match is being played at SoFi Stadium, this club has a home advantage.
Thus, it will be very interesting to see how each team will take advantage of the situation in order to tilt the odds in their favor.
Additionally, fans will be eager to know if the Rams still have a post-Super Bowl hangover or not.
Bets you can place on the NFL 2022 opening match in Ohio
You can place various types of bets on the Buffalo Bills VS Los Angeles Rams game. The following are the best options for Ohio sports betting.
Moneyline bet
When you place this bet, you are simply picking the team that will emerge the winner. For example, you may come across a moneyline that looks like this:
- Los Angeles Rams (+120)
- Buffalo Bills (-130).
In this case, the Bills are the favorites while the Rams are the underdogs. If you place a $100 wager on the Rams, and they win, you’ll receive $120.
On the other hand, you will need to risk $130 to receive $100 on a Bills’ victory.
Over/Under bet
Otherwise known as a totals wager, an over/under bet is made on the teams’ combined score. A sportsbook will set a specific number, and your job is to predict whether the combined score will be more or less than that.
For example, you may come across this over/under bet:
- Los Angeles Rams VS Buffalo Bills (Over/Under – 45).
Here, if the Rams score 21 points and the Bills score 17 points, the total score is 38.
This is less than 45. Therefore, if you had chosen “UNDER” for this game, you win the bet.
Point spread bet
When you place a point spread bet, you’re wagering on the margin of victory of a team rather than the final score. Usually, the favorite is represented by a minus (-) symbol, whereas a plus (+) symbol represents the underdog.
For example, a sportsbook may have this point spread bet:
- Los Angeles Rams +7.5 (-110)
- Buffalo Bills -7.5 (-110)
In this case, the Rams must win by more than 7.5 points for your bet to win. Conversely, if you bet on the Rams, they must either win outright or lose by less than 7.5 points.
How to choose the best Ohio sportsbooks
Consider the following things when choosing Ohio sportsbooks to place your Los Angeles Rams VS Buffalo Bills bet.
Licensing
The most important thing to look at is the license of any sportsbook. Normally, a licensed betting site is regulated and has complied to all betting laws and requirements. It is trustworthy, reliable, and guarantees a fair gaming experience.
Variety of banking options
Check the sportsbook’s cashier section to know the payment services available. A good betting platform should offer a variety of payment choices including e-wallets, bank transfers, prepaid cards, crypto, and credit cards.
Competitive odds
When placing wagers, you want a site that offers attractive odds. Therefore, check them to see if they are competitive before placing a bet.
Betting tips for the game
Ensure you are betting responsibly by following these tips:
- Plan your bankroll before you place your bets and put limits to manage your spending.
- Never chase losses by placing additional bets. Otherwise, you may end up in financial trouble.
- Start by placing small wagers and increasing the amount gradually as you gain more confidence.
The bottom line
Without doubt, the NFL 2022 opener will be an interesting one. Though many experts are in favor of the Bills to win this game, the Rams are fully prepared for the battle.
Additionally, the Bills come into the season with a lot of fresh talent, while the Rams will be looking to maintain their winning streak.
All in all, it’s going to be a thrilling match that any enthusiastic NFL fan wouldn’t want to miss!