Los Angeles Rams

Allen Robinson was perfectly set up for a return to fantasy football dominance when he signed with the reigning Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams to catch passes from Matthew Stafford.

Or so it seemed.

Robinson was a fantasy football dud in 2021 with 38 catches for 410 yards and one touchdown, although he was playing for a Chicago Bears team that was breaking in a rookie quarterback and didn't have many weapons around him.

Playing alongside Cooper Kupp on the established Rams figured to be different, but he had a grand total of one catch for 12 yards on two targets in a brutal 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Thursday's opener.

Social media noticed:

Allen Robinson on the Bears vs. Allen Robinson on the Rams pic.twitter.com/aoLBj4TWLD

— Henny Omega (@CamronSanto) September 9, 2022

Allen Robinson. pic.twitter.com/moARDvzhRA

— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) September 9, 2022

Maybe Allen Robinson is a quarterback curse

— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) September 9, 2022

https://twitter.com/SteveGalloNFL/status/1568079638714253313

Allen Robinson had a Kenny Golladay-esque season in 2021 and his ADP didn’t change from 2021 to 2022

We were betting solely on Matthew Stafford, huh?

— Adam Koffler (@AdamKoffler) September 9, 2022

Allen Robinson’s last 100 yard game was quarterbacked by Mitch Trubisky against Mike Glennon’s Jacksonville Jaguars.

— Davis Mattek (@DavisMattek) September 9, 2022

Per @NextGenStats, Allen Robinson aligned against Dane Jackson on just under half his routes. Also saw 6th round rookie Christian Benford a bunch.

2 targets, 1 rec, 12 yards

— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) September 9, 2022

Allen Robinson has not been part of the offense because he is away filming DUNE.

— Nora Princiotti (@NoraPrinciotti) September 9, 2022

https://twitter.com/riversmccown/status/1568074081127342081

I will not overreact to Week 1... I will not overreact to Week 1... I will not overreact to Week 1 except about Allen Robinson...

— Aaron Schatz 🏈 (@ASchatzNFL) September 9, 2022

Matthew Stafford is the best quarterback to never throw the ball to Allen Robinson.

— Adam Rank (@adamrank) September 9, 2022

It's one thing if Kupp (15 targets) and tight end Tyler Higbee (11 targets) see more opportunities than Robinson, but he also finished with fewer targets than Darrell Henderson Jr. and Ben Skowronek.

Perhaps the version of Robinson who surpassed 1,100 receiving yards in three different seasons will show up for the Rams when they host the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2, but his tenure with Los Angeles is not off to an ideal start.

The reigning Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams were blown out by the Buffalo Bills 31-10 in their 2022 season opener on Thursday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, and head coach Sean McVay is shouldering some of the blame.

"We weren't ready to go. That's on me," McVay told reporters after the loss. "There was a lot of decisions I made that didn't put us in the best position to succeed. It was a very humbling night."

He added, "We're going to fix this."

The game was tied 10-10 at halftime, but the mistakes began to pile up for the Rams in the second half, and Josh Allen and the Bills went on to break it open with 21 unanswered points after halftime.

Aside from the team lifting the Lombardi Trophy in front of a packed stadium before kickoff, nothing seemed to go right for the Rams on Thursday night.

Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 29 of 41 passes for 240 yards and one touchdown against three interceptions. The team's offensive line was also horrid, allowing seven sacks.

Matthew Stafford total sacks:

7 — 2021 playoffs
7 — Tonight

Last time he was sacked that many times he was a Lion. pic.twitter.com/F1ZQwV1bCA

— StatMuse (@statmuse) September 9, 2022

Star wide receiver Cooper Kupp was a bright spot, catching 13 passes for 128 yards and one touchdown, but the rest of the receiving group was subpar. Tight end Tyler Higbee, running back Darrell Henderson Jr. and wide receivers Ben Skowronek, Allen Robinson II and Brandon Powell combined for just 112 yards.

Robinson, who signed a three-year, $46.5 million deal with the Rams during the offseason, caught just one pass for 12 yards in what was a disappointing L.A. debut for the veteran.

Henderson also saw the majority of snaps at running back, finishing with 13 carries for 47 yards. Cam Akers, who was expected to be the team's top running back this year, had just three carries for no yards.

Akers is working his way back from an Achilles tear suffered in July 2021, but it was surprising to not see him more involved in the season opener.

McVay told reporters that he couldn't get Akers and Robinson more involved because the offense couldn't get into a rhythm.

The Rams will look to bounce back next weekend when they host the Atlanta Falcons.

"My favorite part about sports is the opportunity to respond," McVay told reporters.

There is going to be a new Super Bowl champion if the Los Angeles Rams' offensive line doesn't improve.

Andrew Whitworth retired after helping lead the Rams to the Lombardi Trophy last season, and the offensive front looked absolutely lost without him. The Buffalo Bills sacked Matthew Stafford seven times, oftentimes without a single extra blitzer, and overwhelmed the Rams on the way to a commanding 31-10 victory in Thursday's season opener at SoFi Stadium.

It was ugly right from the start for the Rams, who were in comeback mode after allowing a touchdown on the opening possession and never established an offensive rhythm as Von Miller and Buffalo's defensive line dominated.

The offensive line, and Miller's impact, caught the attention of plenty on social media:

Rams fans watching Stafford drop back.. pic.twitter.com/IfRvdUdbVQ

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) September 9, 2022

The Bills have six sacks despite blitzing on only one of Matthew Stafford's 28 dropbacks so far (all six sacks were with four or fewer rushers).

The Bills have only one game in the last 15 seasons with more sacks when using a standard rush (eight vs Washington in 2011). pic.twitter.com/aoaUFwUUGY

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 9, 2022

LET VON EAT 🍽 @brgridiron

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/zzyuwcgkWb

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 9, 2022

Rams offensive line: pic.twitter.com/OVU0x0iwTe

— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) September 9, 2022

The Rams miss Whitworth more than Beckham.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 9, 2022

the only way the Rams can protect is with quick snaps, tempo, short throws, sorcery

— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) September 9, 2022

The Rams interior OL is losing literally every rep

— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) September 9, 2022

Matthew Stafford has been sacked six times tonight, the most sacks he's ever taken as a Ram.

— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) September 9, 2022

Von Miller's flexibility at 33 years old is absolutely bonkers, man.

Adding him off the edge to this Bills defense is just no fair.

— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) September 9, 2022

Savvy move by Von Miller to invest in teleportation legs this offseason. It a little pricey, but it's worth it.

— Dan Devine (@YourManDevine) September 9, 2022

Von so good man!!

— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) September 9, 2022

@VonMiller being added to this team is just as crazy as him being added to that rams defense last year. He is STILL a PROBLEM!

— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) September 9, 2022

Let's do a new NFL offseason thing where Von Miller chooses who is going to win the Super Bowl by going to a new team every summer. Make it The Bachelor style. Handing out roses. Sending Washington and Cleveland home the first night. Hometown dates to his chicken farm.

— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) September 9, 2022

Los Angeles looked sloppy, disorganized and simply outmatched whenever its offense was on the field, and that's not even getting to when Josh Allen obliterated its defense on the other end while accounting for four touchdowns.

Facing pressure all night, Stafford finished 29-of-41 for 240 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions and looked nothing like the version of the quarterback who lifted the Lombardi Trophy last season.

Fortunately for the Rams, they won't have to face the contender that is the Bills again unless they make a second straight Super Bowl.

Things will presumably get a bit easier in Week 2 when they host the Atlanta Falcons.

Odell Beckham Jr., who remains a free agent as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered in last year's Super Bowl, was in attendance for the NFL's regular-season opener between his former team, the defending champion Los Angeles Rams, and the Buffalo Bills.

And it was a bittersweet experience for him:

At this game overwhelmed wit emotion I don’t kno how to feel 😂… part of me wants to be out there and the other part of me is enjoying watchin the benefits of the hard work these people put in!

— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) September 9, 2022

Beckham took part in the pregame ceremonies for the champion Rams, wearing yellow pants and a blue hat in an ensemble that definitely, totally, absolutely didn't have people raising their eyebrows just a bit at what it all might mean:

Probably a good sign that the expected return of Odell Beckham Jr. to the #Rams is right on track. GM Les Snead looks pretty happy. pic.twitter.com/5lrHnKmdgY

— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) September 9, 2022

Odell Beckham Jr. is also in the house tonight as the @RamsNFL get set to kick off against the @BuffaloBills.

What do we think? Is @obj here to stay in LA? pic.twitter.com/VPsSN9rKyf

— Kristen Lago (@kristenmlago) September 8, 2022

And now OBJ hugs Les Snead, Reggie Scott, Cooper Kupp, Ben Skowronek, Sean McVay, Jalen Ramsey and Raheem Morris. OBJ looks right at home on the Rams' sideline.

— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) September 8, 2022

(I am trolling as he is hugging a lot of people)

— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) September 8, 2022

Beckham was on the Rams last season, so it wasn't a surprise that he was present for the team's banner unveiling to celebrate its title. Until he signs with a new team, however, the speculation will be rampant.

At least for Thursday night, he had to settle for watching two Super Bowl contenders do battle from the sidelines.

Fantasy football players who took a chance on Cam Akers are not happy.

The Los Angeles Rams running back had three carries for zero yards during Thursday's 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He was clearly behind Darrell Henderson Jr. (13 carries) in the running back rotation, and even Brandon Powell got a carry for the Rams.

Akers' lack of production and opportunity drew plenty of reactions:

Cam Akers managers watching Darrell Henderson get all the workpic.twitter.com/EYJvHBOPBS

— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) September 9, 2022

Rams RB Cam Akers did not play in the first quarter.

Darrell Henderson handled all 4 carriers.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 9, 2022

Brandon Powell with as many runs called for him as Cam Akers pic.twitter.com/3SNVR4coMm

— Christopher Harris (@HarrisFootball) September 9, 2022

Cam Akers owners not happy. Henderson owners: 😁

— Behind the Steel Curtain (@btsteelcurtain) September 9, 2022

We have our first fantasy football question of the year: where in the world is Cam Akers?

— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) September 9, 2022

No Cam Akers?! Confusion… kick returner getting attempts over him. EXCUSE ME??!!!

— ✝️ (@FEsquiat) September 9, 2022

Bruh I'm seeing everybody in the backfield for the Rams BUT Cam Akers 😤 should've never drafted him in fantasy.

— Jay (@___jbone) September 9, 2022

Cam Akers managers punching air rn 😭

— Shav (@ThatGuyShav) September 9, 2022

Rams RB snap count after 4 drives

Darrell Henderson 22
Cam Akers 2

Out of 24 plays

— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) September 9, 2022

Cam Akers fantasy owners right now pic.twitter.com/beInPuwcha

— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) September 9, 2022

Fantasy managers looking for Cam Akers… pic.twitter.com/KxR2c4uXeU

— Rotoworld Football (@rotoworld_fb) September 9, 2022

Rush yards over expectation, per NFL Next Gen Stats

Henderson: +7 on 7 carries
Akers: -7 on 2 carries

— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) September 9, 2022

5 of 32 snaps for Cam Akers in the first half isn't good.

This isn't a timeshare it is a takeover by Darrell Henderson. https://t.co/XeP8ktXiHh

— Dwain McFarland (@dwainmcfarland) September 9, 2022

There was always a risk involved with drafting Akers. Not only is he splitting time in the backfield with Henderson, but he also tore his Achilles before last season and played just a single game in the regular season before appearing in four playoff games.

It is still incredibly early in the season, and Akers figures to have some type of role in the loaded Rams offense.

But it was a concerning role for fantasy football players in the opener Thursday.

Matthew Stafford and Drew Brees have some things in common.

Both quarterbacks are Super Bowl champions, and now both are tied for the fewest number of games (183) to reach 50,000 passing yards in NFL history. Stafford accomplished the feat on a pass to Cooper Kupp in Thursday's season opener against the Buffalo Bills.

5️⃣0️⃣K

Matthew Stafford becomes the 12th QB in NFL history to throw for 50,000 passing yards 👏 pic.twitter.com/tqAYmwaVBk

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 9, 2022

Stafford entered Thursday's game with 49,995 passing yards in 182 games across 13 seasons.

The only other active quarterbacks to reach 50,000 passing yards are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Tom Brady and Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers and Indianapolis Colts' Matt Ryan. Peyton Manning and John Elway are also on the list, though neither accomplished the feat as quickly as Stafford or Brees.

Brees joined the 50,000-yard club on Dec. 8, 2013, in a 31-13 win over the Carolina Panthers. He threw for 314 yards and four touchdowns in that game. It was his 13th season in the NFL.

At the time, the former New Orleans Saints signal-caller was just the fifth quarterback to throw for 50,000 yards, joining Manning, Elway, Brett Favre and Dan Marino.

Brees finished his career having thrown for 80,358 yards in 20 seasons, which ranks second in NFL history behind Brady, who enters 2022 having thrown for 84,520 yards in 22 seasons.

The other quarterbacks to throw for 50,000 are Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers and Eli Manning.

In his 12 seasons with the Detroit Lions, Stafford threw for 45,109 yards. In his first season with the Rams in 2021, he threw for 4,886 yards.

The 34-year-old ranks 12th on the NFL's all-time passing yards list, though he'll undoubtedly move into 11th place and surpass Elway's 51,475 yards this season, provided he stays healthy.

Stafford has been managing an elbow injury for a while, including during the 2021 season, and the ailment has caused some concern. So there's always a possibility he misses some time this year.

Former Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. remains a free agent as he continues to recover from a torn ACL that he suffered in the Super Bowl.

However, that didn't stop the star wide receiver from making an appearance at the Rams' 2022 season opener against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

The 29-year-old even showed up rocking the franchise's signature colors—gold and royal blue—and he also excitedly hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. Could it be a sign he intends to remain in L.A.?

#RAMSHOUSE THIS IS FOR YOU! pic.twitter.com/LBYjqeCUKP

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 9, 2022

guys i think Odell Beckham Jr. might re-sign with the Rams pic.twitter.com/6qBm9PoQDh

— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) September 9, 2022

Odell excitedly hoisting the Lombardi Trophy during Rams pregame celebration kinda feels like a sign of his 2022 future.

— Dan Hanzus (@DanHanzus) September 9, 2022

ODELL IS IN THE HOUSE. 👀#Kickoff2022 | #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/JmR5Q5d3i6

— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 9, 2022

OBJ is back in the building tonight. pic.twitter.com/dqRSaM2psP

— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) September 8, 2022

At this game overwhelmed wit emotion I don’t kno how to feel 😂… part of me wants to be out there and the other part of me is enjoying watchin the benefits of the hard work these people put in!

— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) September 9, 2022

After he was released by the Cleveland Browns last season, Beckham signed with the Rams and went on to help the franchise win the Super Bowl. He caught 27 passes for 305 yards and five touchdowns in eight regular-season games with the franchise.

The three-time Pro Bowler caught 21 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns in the playoffs before tearing his ACL.

Beckham and the Rams have expressed mutual interest in a reunion this year, and the team appears to be reserving his stall in the locker room should he decide to re-sign, per The Associated Press' Greg Beacham.

TIL the Rams still have a full locker for Odell Beckham Jr in their training complex. He has a nameplate and everything. We were just allowed in their locker room for the first time since the pandemic, and there it was.

— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) September 4, 2022

However, Beckham isn't expected to return until around Thanksgiving, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on ESPN Radio's Keyshawn, JWill and Max.

Beckham's appearance at Thursday's season opener is also quite interesting because the Bills have expressed interest in the veteran receiver this summer.

Von Miller, who signed a six-year, $120 million deal with the Bills after winning the Super Bowl with the Rams, hopes Beckham will join him in Buffalo.

"Odell is one of my good buddies … we go back six, seven years," Miller told The Pat McAfee Show last month (h/t Mike McDaniel of Sports Illustrated). "The door is open for him to come to the Bills. … Him coming here would really be the icing on the cake and would really put us over the top."

Beckham also "half" joked in a Twitter post just two days ago that he would sign with whichever team wins Thursday night's game.

Whoever wins Thursday !!!!! 😈 😭 😉can’t wait … to all the boys goin into the season! May God bless u wit peace of mind and physical strength to endure the season. God watch over all my brothers this year let them shine and stay healthy !! LUV

— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) September 6, 2022

LOL JO don’t hold me 2 it! I only@half mean it, but these two teams are both just 😍😍… just sayin I think the two teams that are opening up the season could be playin each other again at the end…..

— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) September 6, 2022

Whichever team lands Beckham will receive a nice addition to its group of pass-catchers. But it seems like he won't make a decision until he's closer to returning to the field.

Aaron Donald's agent, Todd France, reportedly sent the Los Angeles Rams a letter in May informing the team of Donald's intention to retire, according to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The letter was intended to be passed along to the NFL, but the Rams never sent it. Instead, the team and France reignited contract talks and eventually settled on a $40 million raise for Donald on the three remaining years on his contract, keeping him with the team and on the field.

Per that report, the Rams and France had a scheduled meeting for the day after the letter was sent, and it was a productive one. So the two sides scheduled another meeting, and several more after that, all behind the backdrop of Donald's potential retirement.

As Rapoport wrote: "The thought of Donald's retirement was very real. For both sides, however, continuing to talk made sense. Sparked by Donald's letter, whether it was strategic or real, the parties had time and a window to get a new contract done."

The restructured deal will pay Donald an average of $31.6 million over the next three seasons and includes $65 million in guaranteed money over the next two years. If Donald chooses to return for the final year of the contract in 2024, he'll be guaranteed another $30 million.

For the Rams, it was a huge moment. The 31-year-old is an eight-time Pro Bowler, seven-time first-team All-Pro selection, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year award winner and helped lead Los Angeles to a Super Bowl title last season, coming up with the game-clinching play.

"I just made the play again to be world champs!"

While Stafford looked away, @AaronDonald97 took the Super Bowl into his own hands

America's Game: The 2021 LA @RamsNFL narrated by @BryanCranston | tonight at 8 pm ET on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/tAP0q89Gkf

— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) September 7, 2022

He hasn't shown signs of slowing down, registering 12.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, 25 quarterback hits and four forced fumbles in the 2021 season. It was his fifth straight season with double-digit sacks and his sixth season overall reaching that milestone, an incredible achievement for an interior lineman.

Mounting a title defense without Donald would have been a difficult task. Apparently, the Rams were one unsent letter away from facing that reality.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead have agreed to contract extensions with the team Thursday:

This is the Sean McVay + Les Snead extension tweet. 👏 pic.twitter.com/z71ccueI5c

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 8, 2022

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, both are now under contract through 2026.

McVay has a 55-26 record across five seasons with the Rams, leading the team to a Super Bowl title last season. He has a 7-3 career postseason record, including a second trip to the Super Bowl after the 2018 season.

Snead has been the team's GM since 2012, helping turn around an organization that was 2-14 before his arrival.

McVay and Snead previously had two years remaining on their contracts, but chief operating officer Kevin Demoff said in March his plan was to extend both.

"They have an amazing working relationship," Demoff said. "You'd be foolish, when you look at how hard it is in this league to win, not to try to keep together a pair that’s done it really well."

There was some speculation McVay could step away from coaching after last year's title, with multiple television networks trying to sign him as an analyst.

The 36-year-old has instead decided to remain on the sidelines and will clearly stick with the team for the long haul. He will now try to lead the Rams to back-to-back titles, a feat that hasn't been accomplished since the New England Patriots in 2004-05.

Los Angeles kicks off the 2022 season Thursday night against another top contender in the Buffalo Bills.

After playing against Bobby Wagner for 10 seasons, the Los Angeles Rams didn't initially buy his interest in signing with them as a free agent this offseason.

Rams general manager Les Snead told Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times that he thought the initial text message he received from Wagner in March was a hoax.

"I think he signed off as Bwagz," Snead said, "and I’m like, 'OK, is this real?'"

According to Klein, the Rams were one of several teams Wagner messaged who thought they were being pranked by someone with a fake number.

"Everybody thought it was a fake," Wagner told Klein.

One reason for the uncertainty is because Wagner, unlike most players, doesn't have an agent and chooses to represent himself.

Klein noted the Rams weren't initially planning to sign Wagner because they didn't have a spot for him, nor did they have the cap space available to add what he would command on the open market.

Snead eventually worked things out with the cap and got Wagner to sign a five-year, $50 million contract. Richard Sherman, Wagner's former teammate, tweeted the Baltimore Ravens "made a last (minute) push" to sign the eight-time All-Pro linebacker before Los Angeles closed the deal.

Wagner spent the first 10 years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks. He was one of the key players on the defense during the "Legion of Boom" years and continued to play at a high level after that group broke up.

With the Seahawks taking their roster in a different direction this season, Wagner was released by the team in March. The 32-year-old produced like one of the best linebackers in the NFL in 2021, earning second-team All-Pro honors after recording 170 combined tackles, three tackles for loss and five pass breakups in 16 starts.