4 Takeaways From the Rams' Win Over the Buccaneers

[ad_1] With every passing week, the Rams look increasingly just like the NFL’s most full crew — with Matthew Stafford taking part in one of the best soccer of his profession.

The Bucs, in the meantime, proceed to unravel, and now have their quarterback to fret about of their injury-ravaged season.

These two contrasting realities got here to a head Sunday evening, when the Rams (9-2) cruised to victory over the Buccaneers (6-5) at SoFi Stadium, 34-7. Los Angeles has now gained six consecutive video games and 7 of its final eight. On the flip facet, Tampa has dropped three in a row and 4 of its final 5.

Listed below are my takeaways:

1. No QB is taking part in higher soccer than Stafford The Patriots’ Drake Maye could have been the early-season MVP favourite, however Stafford has been the extra dominant participant over the previous few weeks. And if the 37-year-old continues to play like he did Sunday evening, the award is his to lose.

Stafford went 25-of-35 for 273 yards and three touchdowns with a 122.7 passer score in Sunday’s win. All three of his landing passes got here within the first half, when he accomplished 82.6% (19-of-23) of his passes for 210 yards. He started the sport with 12 straight completions.

By means of 11 video games, Stafford has a league-high 30 touchdowns towards simply two interceptions. It’s like he’s in a circulation state quarterbacking this proficient Rams’ offense (one which's with out tight finish Tyler Higbee and proper deal with Rob Havenstein, each of whom have been positioned on injured reserve earlier this week), making fast choices, getting via his progressions and hurling his signature no-look passes — all of the extra spectacular contemplating the murkiness surrounding his well being coming into the season.

2. Baker Mayfield's shoulder provides to Bucs' damage woes The Bucs listed Baker Mayfield as uncertain to return with a shoulder damage coming into the second half, and he was finally downgraded to out as backup Teddy Bridgewater performed the ultimate two quarters.

Mayfield was grimacing in ache, holding that shoulder after his landing throw to huge receiver Tez Johnson within the second quarter. He promptly went to the blue medical tent and closed out the half, when a failed Hail Mary try left him in additional discomfort.

Dropping Mayfield for any period of time would clearly be devastating for the Bucs, whose skid has them in peril of blowing the NFC South. The Panthers enter their Monday evening recreation towards the 49ers with a share of the division lead with the Bucs at 6-5, although Tampa at present owns the tiebreaker due to the higher report in divisional video games.

Baker Mayfield's left arm was in a sling after the Buccaneers' loss to the Rams. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Pictures)

3. The Rams’ protection must be talked about extra On an evening the place the crew celebrated the legacy of Aaron Donald, the Rams protection confirmed why it deserves extra respect as among the finest models in soccer.

Los Angeles had 4 sacks, six quarterback hits, seven tackles for loss, two interceptions and 10 passes defensed towards Tampa Bay’s Tenth-ranked scoring offense.

Even earlier than Mayfield acquired harm, he was always harassed by a defensive position that rushes the passer nicely as a unit. Defensive coordinator Chris Shula throws fixed stunts on the opposing offense, making the D-linemen troublesome to dam.

At linebacker, Nate Landman — who signed a three-year extension earlier this week — has been a revelation. And even with out security Quentin Lake (positioned on injured reserve this week), the Rams’ secondary is a drive to be reckoned with. Cornerback Cobie Durant had a 50-yard pick-six and broke up a would-be landing go to rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka. Former first-round cornerback Emmanuel Forbes performed terrific, as nicely, including an interception of his personal to go together with a team-high 5 go breakups.

4. Tampa Bay’s protection is turning into worrisome Per week after permitting 44 factors to the Payments, the Bucs allowed the Rams to attain 34 factors, together with 31 within the first half.

Accidents have been an enormous concern. They’ve performed a significant function in Tampa’s season so far, on either side of the ball. Defensively, the Bucs entered Sunday’s recreation with out edge rusher Haason Reddick and cornerbacks Jamal Dean and Benjamin Morrison, and it confirmed of their difficulties speeding the passer and in protection. Stafford was sacked simply as soon as, whereas receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams and tight finish Colby Parkinson mixed for 200 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

4 ½ What’s subsequent? The Rams will enter Week 13 because the No. 1 seed within the NFC. They will start a two-game highway journey subsequent Sunday towards the Panthers (6-5), who’ve gained two of their final three video games and will probably be taking part in on a brief week.

In the meantime, the Bucs host the Cardinals (3-8) subsequent week, the beginning of a three-game homestand. The matchup with Arizona precedes three straight NFC South video games for Tampa, which has a unfastened grip on the NFC’s No. 4 seed.

Ben Arthur is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand labored for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Community, the place he was the Titans beat author for a 12 months and a half. He lined the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for 3 seasons (2018-20) previous to transferring to Tennessee. You'll be able to observe Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.

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