Rams’ Stafford throws for 4 TDs, outduels Brady, and Bucs
Sean McVay’s enthusiasm for the Los Angeles Rams’ big-play potential with Matthew Stafford eventually got the better of him on Sunday.
The Rams faced third-and-10 at the LA 25 with a 14-7 lead against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers early in the third quarter.
In the Rams’ 34-24 win against the reigning Super Bowl champs, McVay set up the precise play that would be the game’s defining moment.
On a go route, McVay requested a pass to DeSean Jackson.
Jackson breezed by CB Carlton Davis III, grabbed the ball at the Buccaneers’ 30,
and then zig-zagged his way into the tunnel for the last 10 yards. He was finally met by an ecstatic Rams coach,
who rushed down the sideline to congratulate his players on their two-touchdown victory.
“I believe my hamstrings are hurting already. I’m quite sure I yanked both of them “McVay was kidding when he stated this.
“I was in the present and having a good time, watching these players do their thing, and there were plenty of reasons to be optimistic about our squad today.”
Coach Bruce Arians of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers claimed Jackson was wide open because of completely blown coverage and a lack of communication in the secondary.
Stafford outdueled Tom Brady and the Buccaneers (2-1), who had their 10-game regular season and postseason winning streaks broken.
Stafford, who claimed he wanted to travel to Los Angeles to compete in big games, threw for 343 yards and four touchdowns.
“One time when we were in his face, he finds a guy wide open down the field and gets it to him. Other men notice him but are unable to communicate with him.
Stafford is a great player because he gets it to them,” Arians said.
For the third time in McVay’s five seasons, the Rams are 3-0.
The Super Bowl will be held at their opulent Hollywood Park mansion, which they won last season.
tackle on the defensive end When asked whether the Rams were one of the favorites to get there, Aaron Donald said, “for sure.”
“Everyone is constantly having a good time together.
And we went to the Super Bowl the last time we had a team like that,” added Donald, who made three tackles and his first career sack against Brady.
Stafford missed on five of his first six tries before finding his stride and leading the Rams to victory on their next six drives.
Stafford, who completed 27 of 38 throws, said, “I think Sean does a fantastic job of providing us a game plan that really keeps the defense on their toes.” “We threw screens,
we threw it over the top, we ran the ball, we play-actioned, we did a little bit of everything today.
So it’s great to go out there and execute them when he’s got us going like that.”
Brady joined Drew Brees as the only quarterback to throw for more than 80,000 yards,
completing 41 of 55 passes for 432 yards and two touchdowns (one passing, one running).
For the Bucs, Mike Evans had eight catches for 106 yards (2-1).
“We got out to a poor start, and when you do that, you’re battling from behind all day,
and I believe we played a good team that didn’t give the ball over,
and I think we played a good team that didn’t turn the ball over, “Brady said.
Stafford completed 8 of 8 passes for 74 yards in a 14-play,
95-yard drive that culminated in Tyler Higbee’s 6-yard touchdown catch on a short throw to put the Rams up 7-0 early in the second quarter.
On the next play, Tampa Bay knotted it up when Chris Godwin caught a 2-yard jet sweep around the right end, but the game wouldn’t remain level for long.
Cooper Kupp grabbed a 2-yard touchdown pass with 54 seconds left to put the Rams up 14-7 at halftime.
Kupp scored two touchdowns on the day, with nine receptions for 96 yards.
Brady pulled the Buccaneers within 21-14 after Jackson’s touchdown with a 1-yard keeper,
but the Rams put the game out of reach with 10 consecutive points.
Stafford’s fourth touchdown pass was a 10-yard strike to Kupp, and Matt Gay added a 48-yard field goal.
Tampa Bay added a touchdown with 1:10 left after the teams exchanged field goals. Giovani Bernard scored on a 7-yard catch.
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DEEP THREAT
Jackson, who had three catches for 120 yards, now has nine career touchdown receptions of at least 75 yards, matching him for the most in NFL history with Hall of Famer Lance Alworth, according to Elias.
STUCK IN NEUTRAL?
With 35 yards, Tampa Bay’s rushing game was practically non-existent once again.
With 14 yards on the ground, Brady was the Bucs’ top rusher.
Sony Michel, who was acquired from New England during the preseason,
had his first start for the Rams and rushed for 67 yards on 20 attempts. With Darrell Henderson Jr.
out with a rib ailment, Michel got the start.
INJURIES
Jamel Dean, a cornerback with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, suffered a knee injury in the first quarter and did not return. Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots tight end, was hit in the ribs in the third quarter and left the game for one series before returning.
Justin Hollins, a linebacker with the Los Angeles Rams, sustained a pectoral injury in the fourth quarter and did not return.
UP NEXT
Next Sunday night, the Buccaneers visit New England, as Brady returns to Foxborough, Massachusetts for one of the season’s most anticipated games.
Next Sunday, the Rams will face the Arizona Cardinals in an NFC West battle of undefeated teams.
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