The Los Angeles Rams continue to make their case as the league’s best team after a 34-7 dismantling of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on “Sunday Night Football.”
Here are four takeaways from Sunday’s NFL nightcap:
Rams may be the most complete team in football
The Rams (9-2) continue to look like one of the more balanced teams in the league after their latest dominant showing. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was 25-of-35 for 273 yards and three TDs, all three of which came in the opening half. He began the game by going 12-of-12 for 121 yards and a TD.
The defense was equally impressive, holding Tampa Bay to just 193 total yards, recording four sacks and forcing two turnovers. Cornerback Cobie Durant stripped the ball from Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton and returned it 50 yards for a TD.
Both losses have come to the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers, two teams that find themselves in playoff contention. With Philadelphia’s loss on Sunday, the Rams sit atop the NFC and look as complete as any team after their latest performance.
Baker Mayfield exits with shoulder injury
It was a tough night for Mayfield, who was held to 9-of-19 for 41 yards with one TD and two interceptions. As poorly as the game played out for him and the Buccaneers offense, he exited the game with a left shoulder injury and was shown on the sidelines wearing a sling.
What made matters worse is the fact that Mayfield had already gone to the medical tent earlier in the second quarter before returning for the next possession. Down 31-7 with five seconds left before the half, head coach Todd Bowles kept him on the field to attempt a Hail Mary before he fell to the Sofi Stadium turf grabbing his shoulder.
Veteran QB Teddy Bridgewater took over and went 8-of-15 for 62 yards, but the immediate focus is on Mayfield’s health going forward. While Tampa Bay’s defense has been atrocious, Mayfield has been exceptional with four game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime. Depending on the severity of the injury, it may only get worse for the Buccaneers (6-5) from here.
Davante Adams has another monster performance
Adams entered Week 12 as the league leader in receiving TDs and he showed why with five catches for 62 yards and two TDs on Sunday night, giving him 12 TD catches for the season.
This one-yard TD reception punctuated a 10-play, 80-yard opening drive to give the Rams the early 7-0 advantage.
Adams added his second score on this 24-yard reception in the second quarter to extend the Rams lead to 28-7.
Adams now has three games with multiple receiving TDs this season despite only surpassing 100 yards once. It just goes to show his ability to make the most of his opportunities and provide Stafford with another go-to option down the field.
Buccaneers defense continues to struggle
One week after giving up 44 points to the Buffalo Bills and six total TDs to Josh Allen, the Buccaneers surrendered 34 and lost their third straight game in the process.
Tampa Bay allowed 7.3 yards per pass, generated little pressure on Stafford with just one sack the entire game and simply put itself in a hole that was too big to overcome in the first half.
The Rams had three TDs and a field goal as they scored on each of their four first-half possessions. Whether Mayfield is on the field or not going forward, this defense is not providing much optimism and is proving to be a real concern as the season winds down.
