Bills Put Big Hurt on Rams : Interconference: Kelly, Thomas display their improved health as Buffalo improves to 9-5 with 45-27 victory.

Two supposedly injured Buffalo Bills looked a lot healthier than advertised.

Jim Kelly had four touchdown passes despite a sore throwing shoulder and Thurman Thomas returned from a hamstring injury that has hampered him much of the season to rush for 129 yards in Buffalo’s 45-27 victory over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.

Kelly, who threw five interceptions the past two weeks, completed 19 of 25 passes for 237 yards and had one intercepted. So much for the injury.

“I didn’t buy into that coming into the game,” said Ram Coach Rich Brooks, whose team has lost six of eight games. “When I was asked that question, I said if we counted on that we would be a sorry bunch of guys.

“I don’t think we counted on it, but we’re still a sorry bunch of guys.”

Surprise, Kelly said it didn’t bother him much.

“It was a little sore, but it’s like I said before, it’s going to take rest before it’s 100 percent,” Kelly said. “I felt good. Each week I get more rest and it gets a little better.”

What really helped him was after some early struggles, the Bills (9-5) went to the no-huddle offense Kelly has thrived in.

“I said the heck with it, we’re going to a fast-paced, no-huddle mode that I’m used to,” Kelly said.

Thomas totaled 234 yards with a 3.4-yard average his previous four games, then he went out and broke O.J. Simpson’s team record with his 42nd career 100-yard game. So much for that injury.

“It’s great to be on top of a great player like O.J.,” Thomas said. “When I gain 100 yards, we usually win.”

They more than made up for a sub-par defensive effort by Buffalo. The Bills sacked Ram quarterback Mark Rypien--playing for the injured Chris Miller--four times, but only once before the fourth quarter when St. Louis (7-7) was playing catch-up. Miller, who sustained his fifth concussion in 15 months in last week’s 23-20 victory over the New York Jets, watched from the sidelines.

Rams receiver Isaac Bruce had nine catches for 136 yards, setting team season records with 95 receptions and 1,503 yards.