ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — NFL opponents might not have the St. Louis Rams' defense to kick around any more.
The defense has allowed just 20 points in two preseason games, showing that an offseason overhaul is paying off.
"It's fun," coach Mike Martz said Sunday night after the Rams' 24-10 victory over Buffalo. "We are starting to become a complete team."
The Rams, whose high-octane offense has never been in question, were anything but complete a year ago when their porous defense allowed 471 points — the seventh-most in NFL history — and contributed to the team's first-round playoff exit.
Martz wasted no time hiring a new defensive coordinator, Lovie Smith from Tampa Bay, and purging a unit which could feature as many as eight new starters from last season.
The defenders came out sharp against Buffalo, limiting the Bills' first-string offense to 19 yards in three first-quarter series. Overall, Buffalo was limited to 173 yards of total offense and only 10 first downs.
Rams newcomer Aeneas Williams, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, was in on five tackles and picked off an Alex Van Pelt pass. Rookie linebacker Tommy Polley led the way with six tackles and deflected one pass.
Offensively, third-string quarterback Marc Bulger orchestrated his second consecutive game-winning drive. Trailing 10-7, Bulger drove the Rams 71 yards on nine plays, capping it with Justin Watson's 5-yard run up the middle 1:21 into the fourth quarter.
The Bills have much work left to do after a sloppy opening to their preseason.
Except for rookie running back Travis Henry, who scored on a 25-yard run, the Bills' new West Coast offense sputtered and their defense had difficulty tackling.
CHIEFS 20, REDSKINS 0: At Kansas City, Trent Green was 6-of-11 for 97 yards and one touchdown as the Kansas City Chiefs romped past Washington 20-0 Sunday night, spoiling Marty Schottenheimer's debut as Redskins coach.
Dick Vermeil had a happy debut as head coach of the franchise Schottenheimer headed from 1989-98 as the Chiefs took a 20-0 halftime lead en route to their first preseason shutout since 1992.
The Redskins, without injured quarterback Jeff George, had only 32 net yards in the first half.
Green, obtained in a pre-draft trade with St. Louis, showed no ill effects of the knee surgery that kept him from practicing in both minicamps. Free agent running back Priest Holmes averaged almost 10 yards on three carries.
Dante Hall made it 17-0 three minutes into the second quarter with a 92-yard touchdown return.