After another disappointing loss at home that all but destroyed the Buffalo Bills' playoff hopes, cornerback Stephon Gilmore managed to play another solid game holding the Rams' top receiver, Chris Givens, to just three catches for 25 yards.
In his 12th NFL start, the rookie also grabbed his first interception of his career off a tipped pass intended for St. Louis tight end Lance Kendricks.
With less than five minutes to play in the first half, Rams' quarterback Sam Bradford threw a pass to Kendricks near the right sideline, but Bryan Scott got a hand on the ball to break up the pass. Gilmore stretched out to make the pick and dashed his way to the end zone. Unfortunately for Gilmore, defensive end Kyle Moore was called for a defensive hold on the run back, nullifying the touchdown.
Gilmore admitted his first pick didn't seem so great after the loss.
"It felt good, but I'm a team player and we didn't come out with a win," Gilmore said. "It still felt good, but we didn't win so that's the only thing I felt bad about."
Gilmore said he feels comfortable covering the opposing team's top receiver.
"I feel good, I just have to study them all week," said Gilmore about opposing receivers. "Certain receivers are good at certain things. I think number 13 (Givens) is a speed guy and I think he's the first speed guy I've played all year. I don't know how many yards he had, but I think I did a pretty good job against him."
At the St. Louis 30, Bradford attempted a deep pass to Givens down the middle of the field that fell right into the receiver's hands, but Gilmore batted the ball out to keep the ball on Rams' side of the field.
Gilmore admitted the Rams' offense hadn't thrown too many deep balls before that and was aware it'd be coming.
"I knew they didn't go very deep early in the game and I knew they were going to come to 13 (Givens) because he's their deep guy," Gilmore said. "I saw him motion in and knew he was going to go deep. I think if I would've ran a little bit faster I could've had the interception, but I was able to make a play on the ball."
Gilmore finished the game with two tackles and two passes defended giving him 54 and 16 on the season, respectively.
The former Gamecock said he plays a little different towards the end of close games.
"For me, I am thinking different," Gilmore said. "Mostly at the end of the game I know they have to get to the end zone, so I am thinking more deep passes and stuff like that. But I think we just have to play more aggressive, learn from what we did today and go from there."
With the Bills record now at 5-8, Gilmore said there isn't much they can do, but play the game they live for.
"We just have to keep playing," Gilmore said. "For me, I love the game. I love playing it. I am a Bill and I love my Bills family. We just have to keep winning. I am not going to give up."
