The conflict between the Buccaneers and Rams on Sunday was considered one of, if not probably the most explosive of the week. That turned out to be right, however extra for one aspect than the opposite. Whereas Tom Brady ended his first journey to Los Angeles in gaudy numbers, eclipsing 400 yards by the air and leveling the sport early a number of instances, it was Matthew Stafford and the Rams who owned the anticipated matchup and a possible preview of the NFC championship . With Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods and an up-and-coming DeSean Jackson seated towards Tampa Bay’s secondary rating, LA had no drawback staying undefeated with a 34:24 dwelling win.
Listed below are some quick classes from the Rams’ huge win on Sunday that gave the Bucs their first lack of the yr:
Why the Rams gained
The Stafford-Sean McVay connection is without doubt one of the deadliest within the league proper now, and that remained the case towards a Bucs protection that proved weak to the move this yr. Stafford was off a bit early, however as soon as he obtained going he by no means seemed again, discovered Kupp on numerous key-downs, and fired some good deep balls on the nonetheless electrical Jackson. Van Jefferson and Tyler Higbee additionally contributed acrobatic and well timed catches to spherical out one of many NFL’s most harmful crimes, even with out a lot operating play. The protection, in the meantime, repeatedly bolstered towards the one-dimensional assault from Tampa Bay, with Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey and Taylor Rapp stepping in to chase Brady or break his rhythm with guys like Rob Gronkowski, amongst different issues.
Why the buccaneers misplaced
For one factor, they weren’t your regular explosive ball-in-hand self. Whereas LA loved flashy bombs on an ex-Buc in Jackson, Brady and Co. slowly needed to knock off the Rams ‘defenses, with Giovani Bernard among the many most dependable targets for TB12 and Bruce Arians’ sooner or later when Antonio Brown was absent. The membership solely ran the ball 13 instances, considered one of which went to Chris Godwin. On “D” issues have been arguably worse, if maybe extra predictable contemplating Tampa Bay was sometimes ripped open for the primary two weeks. Stafford constantly had its solution to move the ball towards the Bucs secondary faculty, and solely William Gholston truly made it to Stafford’s pocket.
Turning level
On the third and tenth starting of the second half, the Buccaneers had an opportunity to get their protection off the sphere and provides Brady an opportunity to knot the ball sport once more. As an alternative, Jackson stormed previous your complete Tampa Bay secondary faculty, and Stafford discovered him simple for a 75-yard rating, introduced the Rams up at 21-7, and put all of the momentum within the dwelling crew’s favor.
Sport of the sport
Give it to DeSean, who seemed nearer to 24 than 34 on his few however harmful deep photographs, together with the 75-yarder that gave him his first TD as a Ram:
What’s subsequent
The Rams (3-0) keep at dwelling in week 4 and have the chance to handle enterprise towards a division opponent as they obtain the equally unbeaten Cardinals (3-0) on October third. The Buccaneers (2-1.)), In the meantime, will head to a Sunday Evening Soccer showdown with Brady’s previous crew, the Patriots (1-2).
