The Los Angeles Rams proceed to make their case because the league’s finest group after a 34-7 dismantling of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on “Sunday Night time Soccer.”
Listed here are 4 takeaways from Sunday’s NFL nightcap:
Rams will be the most full group in soccer
The Rams (9-2) proceed to seem like one of many extra balanced groups within the league after their newest dominant displaying. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was 25-of-35 for 273 yards and three TDs, all three of which got here within the opening half. He started the sport by going 12-of-12 for 121 yards and a TD.
The protection was equally spectacular, holding Tampa Bay to only 193 complete yards, recording 4 sacks and forcing two turnovers. Cornerback Cobie Durant stripped the ball from Buccaneers tight finish Cade Otton and returned it 50 yards for a TD.
Each losses have come to the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers, two groups that discover themselves in playoff competition. With Philadelphia’s loss on Sunday, the Rams sit atop the NFC and look as full as any group after their newest efficiency.
Baker Mayfield exits with shoulder harm
It was a tricky night time for Mayfield, who was held to 9-of-19 for 41 yards with one TD and two interceptions. As poorly as the sport performed out for him and the Buccaneers offense, he exited the sport with a left shoulder harm and was proven on the sidelines sporting a sling.
What made issues worse is the truth that Mayfield had already gone to the medical tent earlier within the second quarter earlier than returning for the following possession. Down 31-7 with 5 seconds left earlier than the half, head coach Todd Bowles stored him on the sphere to try a Hail Mary earlier than he fell to the Sofi Stadium turf grabbing his shoulder.
Veteran QB Teddy Bridgewater took over and went 8-of-15 for 62 yards, however the fast focus is on Mayfield’s well being going ahead. Whereas Tampa Bay’s protection has been atrocious, Mayfield has been distinctive with 4 game-winning drives within the fourth quarter or additional time. Relying on the severity of the harm, it could solely worsen for the Buccaneers (6-5) from right here.
Davante Adams has one other monster efficiency
Adams entered Week 12 because the league chief in receiving TDs and he confirmed why with 5 catches for 62 yards and two TDs on Sunday night time, giving him 12 TD catches for the season.
This one-yard TD reception punctuated a 10-play, 80-yard opening drive to present the Rams the early 7-0 benefit.
Adams added his second rating on this 24-yard reception within the second quarter to increase the Rams result in 28-7.
Adams now has three video games with a number of receiving TDs this season regardless of solely surpassing 100 yards as soon as. It simply goes to point out his means to take advantage of his alternatives and supply Stafford with one other go-to possibility down the sphere.
Buccaneers protection continues to wrestle
One week after giving up 44 factors to the Buffalo Bills and 6 complete TDs to Josh Allen, the Buccaneers surrendered 34 and misplaced their third straight sport within the course of.
Tampa Bay allowed 7.3 yards per cross, generated little stress on Stafford with only one sack the whole sport and easily put itself in a gap that was too huge to beat within the first half.
The Rams had three TDs and a subject purpose as they scored on every of their 4 first-half possessions. Whether or not Mayfield is on the sphere or not going ahead, this protection is just not offering a lot optimism and is proving to be a real concern because the season winds down.
