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I’ll admit, selfishly I wanted the Bills to hold off until later in the season for their trip to Los Angeles to face the Rams because a winter reprieve to Southern California can do wonders for the mind and body.
But now that I’m here, the game is nearly here, I’m glad things shook out how they did.
The energy surrounding the Bills beginning their regular season in the NFL opener against the defending Super Bowl champions is through the roof (which Sofi Stadium has, though it’s open air on the sides).
Our first look at what this season’s betting Super Bowl favorite looks like against the team currently wearing the title belt.
#Bills players and #BillsMafia use the same 2 words when discussing this season. Super Bowl "It's just another way of manifesting your dreams." Jordan Poyer explains how Von Miller's really influenced that. "When he talks, you just listen." pic.twitter.com/YA5KHUrUkh
There’s been so much talk for months about it that it’s understandable to have the feeling of just wanting to get this thing going.
How about one last dive into what to expect?
As they say in the fantastic FX show “The Bear”...
Boy do the NFL schedule makers love good storylines.
Miller was traded to the Rams midway through last season and was a key piece in them winning the Super Bowl.
But rather then run it back in LA, Miller chose to sign a six-year, $120 million deal with the Bills.
And wouldn't you know it, he makes his debut in red, white, and blue back in Southern California as his former team raises that Super Bowl banner.
Miller has made it clear how tough a decision it was to leave the Rams for the Bills, but has settled into his new home and ready to accomplish the same goal.
Expectations are high for Miller, viewed as the missing piece for an already top flight Bills defense.
Not only is the hope that his individual pass rushing production is something not seen before under Sean McDermott (no player with double-digit sacks), but the ripple effect of his presence helping provide better match-ups for others.
Thursday night our first look at Miller's impact.
It's finally time to see Ken Dorsey's spin on the Bills offense.
The new offensive coordinator had a test run this preseason with the mechanics of calling plays, but it was pretty vanilla.
Now the games matter and so do Dorsey's decisions.
He has made it clear that overall there won't be much change with how the Bills offense operates from how Brian Daboll ran things.
But there will be new wrinkles, which could mean more multiple tight end sets or usage of the running backs in the passing game.
Daboll loved to open up his bag of tricks in big games, so will Dorsey do the same in his debut on this grand stage?
What we see against the Rams won't be a concrete statement in how the offense will look all season, but still an indicator of things to come.
It especially will be notable to see how Dorsey adjusts if and when things aren't going well.
These are all things that can be practiced to a point, but even Dorsey himself admits will only be worked through with live game action.
As expected, Tre'Davious White is on the Reserve/PUP list to begin the season and will miss at least the first four games of the season.
We know Dane Jackson will start at one cornerback spot.
The other has been an interesting thing to watch unfold throughout training camp and the preseason.
It was presumed 1st round pick Kaiir Elam would be the guy, but 6th round pick Christian Benford has shined and put himself side-by-side with Elam.
Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said this week that the Bills would "mix it up" with Elam and Benford, so expect to see both get reps alongside Jackson Thursday night.
Talk about one heck of NFL debut, going against Matthew Stafford and this Rams offense.
Tremaine Edmunds knows exactly what it's like being a rookie thrust into the #Bills defensive starting line-up. He gives perspective from his experiences on what Kaiir Elam and Christian Benford will face Thursday and beyond this season. pic.twitter.com/lQzvekm5dw
The main concern will be Allen Robinson, who likely will line-up across all three CBs at points.
It will be interesting to see how the Bills divide reps between Elam and Benford, including who starts, on top of obviously how each performs in their first pro game.
Cooper Kupp is coming off arguably the greatest individual season ever for a wide receiver.
The NFL Offensive Player of the Year had 145 receptions for 1,947 receiving yards, both second-most in a season in NFL history.
He capped it all off by winning Super Bowl MVP.
But while Kupp is obviously the Rams best offensive weapon, the Bills counter with one of their best to line-up across from him in Taron Johnson.
Johnson elevated himself last season as one of the best nickel CBs in the NFL.
Understand that Kupp is going to get his, currently riding a streak of 21 straight games with 5+ receptions.
However, Johnson's role will be keep Kupp to small gains and avoiding the big play.
His two toughest games in 2021 came against Tyreek Hill and Chris Godwin, two of the other top tier slot receivers in the game.
Let's flip the WR vs. CB battle and look at Stefon Diggs against Jalen Ramsey.
Two of the best at their position in the NFL.
The last time they squared off was 2020, with Diggs reeling in four of his six targets for 49 yards and a touchdown.
While Diggs was very complimentary of Ramsey when asked this week, the Rams CB choosing to limit the love towards the Bills WR, saying he respects him, but won't boost him up.
It's alpha dog vs. alpha dog and will be entertaining to watch.
But what is in the Bills favor is their depth at WR, with many other players to account for as game-breakers, so all the focus doesn't have to be on Diggs popping off.
Aaron Donald is a beast.
He had two sacks against the Bills in that 2020 game, adding three QB hits.
The 3-time Defensive Player of the Year was universally referred to as the best in the NFL by everyone asked at One Bills Drive.
Miller even said he can't help the Bills offensive line with any inside tips as Donald has no weaknesses.
This is the true epitome of a collective effort, as no one lineman on a football field can hold their own against Donald every single play.
Rodger Saffold, Mitch Morse, and Ryan Bates will all be the main guys tasked with slowing down Donald, likely joining forces more times than not.
Josh Allen's running ability also will be a factor, all but certainly needing to pull out some Houdini tricks to avoid Donald and other Rams pass-rushers at some point Thursday night.
Josh Allen O/U passing yards: 278.5
Matthew Stafford O/U passing yards: 274.5
Cooper Kupp O/U receiving yards: 89.5
Stefon Diggs O/U receiving yards: 68.5
QUESTIONABLE: TE Quintin Morris (hamstring), OL Tommy Doyle (foot)
OUT: WR Van Jefferson (knee)
Bills and Rams set to kick-off Thursday night at 8:20 p.m. EST from Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
**Be sure to tune into Spectrum News 1 right after the game for “Buffalo End Zone.” Our LIVE postgame show is hosted by Kevin Carrol and former Bills running back Fred Jackson, with Jon Scott joining from inside Sofi Stadium. The guys will bring you highlights, team reaction, as well as their own reaction and analysis. That’s “Buffalo End Zone” immediately after the game ends.**