Top things to look for in TNF matchup

Von Miller unquestionably had an impact on the Rams roster when he joined the club midseason via trade, especially on perennial Pro Bowl DT Aaron Donald. Yes, Miller produced on the field personally, but he raised the level of Donald’s play down the stretch. Donald’s sack and quarterback hit totals went up in the second half of the 2021 campaign and the playoffs.

Now a member of the Bills, will he have a similar effect on the Bills defensive front right from the jump in Week 1 against his former team? Bills head coach Sean McDermott believes that will be the case.

“I think you’re talking about the impact that a player is making on a team and the influence that someone carries, in this case, a veteran player that’s played at a very high level for a long time,” McDermott said. “I’ve been really pleased with that process of him getting to know us, us getting to know him. He is certainly a phenomenal player, but he’s also a phenomenal person and I think sometimes that’s maybe not as celebrated. But I think he really fits into our culture, and he’s really added a ton to our football team.”

Against a revamped Rams offensive line that lost LT Andrew Whitworth to retirement and RG Austin Corbett to free agency, Buffalo’s bigger, stronger and more athletic defensive interior combined with Miller off the edge figures to create some issues for Los Angeles in pass protection.

“The NFL is just so messy,” said Miller. “I’m playing in the Super Bowl and then my first game back is right there with a new team. And that’s what the fans want to see. Of course, there will be some emotions there. I respect Aaron Donald and all those guys so much. It’s like, `What can I say?’ There was no reason for me to leave. I just felt like this was my place to be. I’ve won a Super Bowl with those guys. They’ve earned my respect and I’ve earned their respect and now I’m on a new team, and I’m trying to do those same things with my colleagues here.”

In two of his last four…