The Rams produced their fifth home win of the season with a 23-13 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, matching the franchise’s best home record since 2003. Here’s how they fared in three key areas highlighted this weekend.
Rams Receivers vs. Tampa Bay Secondary
Success in this area could prove much easier said than done against one of the league’s best at creating turnovers through the air. Despite entering Sunday with a record of 4-10, the Buccaneers have intercepted 21 passes, second-most in the NFL. They also allow just 6.2 yards per pass play, which ranks Rams QB
“It’s a very good defense,” said Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. “I think it starts up front. Obviously, you’ve got (DE Adrian) Clayborn, (DT Gerald) McCoy. They fit those guys in there with those linebackers. I think Lavonte David is one of the best young linebackers in the league. I know he leads the team in tackles, I think he leads in interceptions, and second in sacks. So, the front seven’s excellent. Then of course, you’ve got those two safeties with (Mark) Barron and (Dashon) Goldson. And of course, I’m pretty familiar with (CB) Darrelle (Revis).”
The Answer: While Clemens passed for just 158 yards on Sunday, he did establish a new career-best completion rate of 80 percent, on 16-of-20 passing. Rookie WR
“I felt like it was a pretty good play all week,” Bailey said. “We’ve been practicing it and I felt like we had a pretty good chance for it to be an explosive play, but it actually was open for me to just walk into the end zone. It was a great call.”
The Key: Rams Coverage units vs. Buccaneers Return Team
With the NFL’s 32nd-ranked offense, Tampa has relied heavily on its return teams for favorable field position. The Buccaneers rank fifth in the NFC with 23.9 yards per kickoff return. Their 11.2 yards per punt return is also fifth-best in the NFC. Conversely, kick coverage has been a strength for the Rams all year. K
The Answer:
On a day when RB
The Key: Rams Pass Rush vs. Buccaneers Offensive Line
Entering Sunday, the Buccaneers have allowed 38 sacks, the sixth-most in the NFC, despite dropping back for the sixth-fewest passes in the league. Sunday, they’ll face one of the league’s best four-man fronts against the pass, as Rams defensive linemen have combined for 38 of the team’s 42 sacks on the season.
The unit is led by DE
“You’re not going to stop him the way he’s playing right now,” Schiano said, “But certainly we’d like to make sure he doesn’t take over the game.”
The Answer:
For all intents and purposes, Quinn and the rest of the Rams’ front seven did take over the game. Quinn finished the afternoon with three of the Rams’ seven sacks, equaling a team-best set against Seattle on October 28. The seven sacks came on just 33 drop-backs from Glennon on the day, who completed 16 of 26 passes for 158 yards, his third-lowest passing yardage total on the season.
Aside from piecing together a couple early drives through the air, Glennon remained on the move for the majority of the afternoon.
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