Rams hold on to defeat Buccaneers, 37-32, on the road
The Buccaneers made it interesting, but after more than an hour-long weather delay, the Rams held on to win, 37-32, and improve to 2-1 this season.
The Bucs had the ball with 1:42 to play. Jameis Winston completed a 16-yard, six-yard and seven-yard pass to start the drive.
But the drive stalled - and game ended - when Winston couldn’t find an open target in the end zone. It was odd, because he had an open path all the way to the goal line, but continued looking for a receiver and was eventually tackled by Robert Quinn.
Play resumes after weather delay
After a weather delay that lasted more than an hour play resumed at Raymond James Field.
On third and 11 from the Rams five-yard line, Case Keenum threw a deep pass incomplete to Kenny Britt.
There’s 1:42 remaining in the game, the Rams lead 37-32.
Game to resume at 8:28 pm E.T.
An official said the game is scheduled to resume in 17 minutes, at 8:28 pm E.T.
Players have not returned to the field, but when they do they’ll get ten minutes to warm up.
Join the Times from the press box during weather delay in Tampa
Weather delay in Tampa
There’s a weather delay in Tampa because of lightning in the area.
Fans are clearing the stadium. Players have cleared the field.
At least 15 minutes until play can resume.
Rams lead Buccaneers, 37-32, in the fourth quarter
Jameis Winston bought himself a lot of time and then completed a seven-yard touchdown to Mike Evans.
A two-point conversion failed.
The Rams lead the Buccaneers, 37-32, with 2:15 left in the game.
The scoring drive covered 75 yards in 11 plays and took 2:23.
The Bucs converted on third down and fourth down in the series when Adam Humphries caught a 29-yard pass on third and long and then Charles Sims III rushed for 23 yards on fourth and one.
Storm clouds are looming over the stadium.
Rams lead Bucs, 37-26, in the fourth quarter
Tavon Austin was left wide open and caught a pass on the 22-yard line, then trotted the rest of the 21 yards into the end zone. A two-point conversion failed.
The Rams lead the Buccaneers, 37-26, with 4:38 to play in the fourth quarter.
The drive nearly stalled after three plays - Todd Gurley was tackled for a two-yard and then a five-yard loss. Case Keenum’s third-and-17 pass was overthrown - by a lot - but Alterraun Verner was called for pass interference and the drive continued.
Benny Cunningham rushed for seven yards and Gurley rushed for 12 yards in three consecutive carries.
Bucs fans are quickly making their way to the exits.
Rams leads Buccaneers, 31-26, in the fourth quarter
This is a ballgame in Tampa.
Jameis Winston completed a one-yard pass to Cameron Brate for his second touchdown of the afternoon.
The Buccaneers two-point conversion failed.
The Rams lead the Bucs, 31-26, with 8:55 left in the game.
The scoring drive covered 75 yards in seven plays and took 2:44.
Winston put together a nice series, completing an eight-yard, 33-yard, six-yard and seven-yard pass to swiftly move the Bucs down the field.
Russell Shepard made a spectacular six-yard diving catch to set up the touchdown. The ball barely landed in his fingertips.
Rams lead Buccaneers, 31-20, in the fourth quarter
The Rams needed a play and got a huge one from Ethan Westbrooks.
Robert Quinn stripped Jameis Winston, Westbrooks recovered and rumbled 77 yards for a Rams touchdown.
There’s nothing quite like a big guy touchdown.
The Rams lead the Buccaneers, 31-20, in the fourth quarter.
It was third and six from L.A.’s 13-yard line, the Bucs threatening to take the lead.
Winston completed passes for 17-yards, 11-yards and 15-yards to Mike Evans in the series.
Rams lead Buccaneers, 24-20, in the third quater
Todd Gurley broke a tackle and rushed 16 yards, setting up his own eventual one-yard carry for a touchdown.
The Rams retake the lead, 24-20, over the Buccaneers with 48 seconds remaining the third quarter.
The scoring drive covered 69 yards in eight plays at took 3:52.
It was easily Gurley’s best series of the season.
He rushed for 38 yards in six carries, including a season-long 16-yard run.
Case Keenum also completed a 19-yard pass to Kenny Britt and a 12-yard pass to Bradley Marquez.
Finally, some life in the Rams’ offense.
Buccaneers miss a field goal attempt
The Buccaneers missed a 41-yard field goal attempt and the Rams will have the ball on their 31-yard line.
The Bucs still lead, 20-17, in the third quarter
Jameis Winston completed four passes in the series, including a 12-yard and 17-yard pass to Mike Evans.
The drive stalled after Charles Sims III rushed for a yard, Adam Humphries caught a six-yard pass and Winston’s third-down attempt fell incomplete.
Rams go three and out, punt again
The Rams went three and out.
It should be Jared Goff time, but it likely won’t be.
In the press box, we’ve resorted to chatter about the coaching possibilties at Louisiana State after it was announced that Les Miles has been fired and Ed Orgeron will take over as interim coach.
It’s a sleepy second half so far in Tampa
Maybe the game should have been called at halftime, with three series now ending in punts and the crowd 90% asleep, or not in their seats.
Jameis Winston and his crew just went three and out.
Next up, Case Keenum.
Todd Gurley shut down to start second half
Maybe Todd Gurley should’ve taken a few more carries during the exhibition season.
Gurley rushed for one-yard loss in two carries. He’s been less than spectacular this season.
Johnny Hekker punted a third time.
Buccaneers punt to start the second half
Maurice Alexander broke up Jameis Winston’s third-down pass and the Buccaneers punted.
That about matches the excitement felt inside Raymond James Stadium, where you could hear a pin drop because so many fans have not returned to their seats following halftime.
Charles Sims III rushed for 24 yards in four carries in the series.
Buccaneers lead Rams, 20-17, at halftime
Todd Gurley rushed one yard for his first touchdown of the season. The Buccaneers lead the Rams, 20-17, with 22 seconds remaining in the second quarter.
The scoring drive covered 22 yards in seven plays and took 2:01.
The touchdown converted a turnover forced by the Rams. Trumaine Johnson hit Charles Sims III and Mark Baron intercepted the ball when it popped loose.
Case Keenum completed an eight-yard pass to Tavon Austin, then converted on third and one with a five-yard keeper.
It took the Rams several tries to get into the end zone after the Bucs were called for two penalties and the Rams were called for one of their own.
Before the interception, Jameis Winston was sacked by T.J. McDonald for a loss of seven yards. Alec Ogletree was called for unnecessary roughness on the quarterback after the play.
Ogletree seems to be a bit prone to picking up these kinds of penalties in his three games in L.A.
Todd Gurley struggling to move the ball
The Rams punted for a second time after Todd Gurley tackled at the line.
Gurley rushed for four yards in three carries in the series -- two carries were stopped for no gain.
Case Keenum completed a seven-yard pass to Kenny Britt and a nine-yard pass to Brian Quick between the Gurley carries.
Buccaneers lead Rams, 20-10, in the second quarter
Lavonte David forced Kenny Britt to fumble, the Buccaneers recovered and Jameis Winston converted it into a touchdown.
Winston completed a three-yard pass to Cameron Brate, and the Bucs lead the Rams, 20-10, with 6:03 to play in the second quarter.
The scoring drive covered 43 yards in nine plays and took 4:48.
The Rams offense has stalled after scoring on their opening drive, while the Bucs’ has taken off.
Jacquizz Rodgers carried the bulk of the work in the series and has rushed for 11 yards in four carries and has one reception.
Prior to the touchdown reception, Brate caught a 20-yard pass to put the Bucs in the red zone.
Rams defensive tackle Michael Brockers assisted off the field during the series.
Buccaneers lead Rams, 13-10, in the second quarter
Tampa Bay’s Charles Sims III ducked under the pile and crossed the goal line for a one-yard touchdown, giving the Buccaneers the lead, 13-10, over the Rams.
The scoring drive covered 75 yards in nine plays and took 5:03.
The Bucs offense started to roll in the series.
Jameis Winston completed a 19-yard pass to Mike Evans and then a short pass to Adam Humphries, who turned it into a 31-yard gain.
Later in the series, the Bucs converted on fourth and one to set up first and goal.
Winston has completed seven of nine passes for 93 yards.
Rams defensive lineman Eugene Sims was ejected following the point after touchdown for unsportsmanlike conduct.
That means the Rams are down two linemen, with William Hayes questionable to return because of an ankle injury.
Rams lead Buccaneers, 10-6, in the first quarter
Greg Zuerlein kicked a 53-yard field goal, and the Rams lead the Buccaneers, 10-6, in the first quarter.
The scoring drive covered 33 yards in eight plays and took 3:42.
Case Keenum was sacked to start the series, then threw a pass that was tipped and almost picked.
Benny Cunningham converted on third and long when he rushed for 22 yards. It was the Rams’ longest run of the season.
Tavon Austin caught a 13-yard pass, Todd Gurley rushed for six yards and Kenny Britt caught a three-yard pass to put the Rams in field goal range.
Keenum’s third-down pass to Bradley Marquez was broken up.
Buccaneers punt for a second time
Lamarcus Joyner broke up Jameis Winston’s third-down pass, and the Rams forced the Buccaneers to a second three-and-out.
The Bucs’ offense looks... rusty.
Charles Sims III rushed for seven yards in consecutive carries on first and second down.
Rams stall on third down
It’s tough to tell whether it was a drop or just a bad pass, as Kenny Brit and Case Keenum can’t connect on third down.
Johnny Hekker punted for the first time today.
The series was a waste of a nice kickoff return by Benny Cunningham for 44 yards.
Rams lead Buccaneers, 7-6, in first quarter
Kwon Alexander intercepted Case Keenum and returned it 38 yards for a Buccaneers touchdown, but the point after was missed, so the Rams maintain the lead, 7-6.
There was no Rams receiver near Alexander when he made the pick.
Keenum completed a four-yard pass to Tavon Austin, and Todd Gurley rushed for two yards before the third-down interception.
Prior to the series, Rams defensive end William Hayes was carted from the sideline into the locker room. His return is questionable.
Buccaneers go three and out in their first series
The Buccaneers went three and out after starting the series with a penalty.
Aaron Donald tackled Mike Evans for a four-yard loss before he deflected Jameis Winston’s second-down pass.
Winston completed a 15-yard pass to Vincent Jackson, who was tackled far short of a first down.
The Bucs punted, and the Rams will have the ball at their 29-yard line.
Rams lead Buccaneers, 7-0, in the first quarter
The wait is over, Los Angeles.
After two games, the Rams have finally scored a touchdown.
Case Keenum completed a 44-yard pass to Brian Quick, giving the Rams an early 7-0 lead over the Buccaneers.
The scoring drive covered 75 yards in eight plays and took 3:02.
Keenum completed three of five passes for 66 yards.
Tavon Austin caught an eight-yard pass and a 14-yard pass.
Todd Gurley rushed for nine yards in three carries.
Rams and Buccaneers inactive players
Rams inactive players:
Quarterback Sean Mannion
Receiver Pharoh Cooper
Receiver Nelson Spruce
Tight end Temarrick Hemingway
Tackle Pace Murphy
Cornerback E.J. Gaines
Defensive end Matt Longacre
Buccaneers inactive players:
Quarterback Ryan Griffin
Receiver Cecil Shorts III
Running back Doug Martin
Tackle Leonard Wester
Offensive lineman Caleb Benenoch
Tight end Luke Stocker
Defensive end Robert Ayers Jr.
Join us live from the sideline at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
Sam Farmer, Gary Klein, Mike DiGiovanna and Lindsey Thiry discuss today’s matchup between the Rams and Buccaneers from the sideline during warm ups.
Good afternoon from Tampa
It’s 90 degrees, partly cloudy and humid - by West Coast standards very humid - at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
The Rams are 1-1 and tied for first place in the NFC West after a season opening loss against the 49ers and a victory in their home opener against the Seahawks.
The Buccaneers also are 1-1 and tied for first place in the NFC South. The Bucs beat the Falcons on the road in Week 1 and were routed by the Cardinals last week in Phoenix.
Todd Gurley is looking for some room to run
Todd Gurley lined up in the backfield, looked across the line of scrimmage and saw a crowd.
A large one.
The San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks stacked defenders to stop the second-year running back. Only the allowable 11 defensive players were on the other side of the ball, but it seemed like more.
“It’s been crazy,” Gurley said Friday. “I’m, like, ‘There’s 12 people on the field!’ It’s definitely a lot of people.”
The marquee matchup that is not happening this time
It had the makings of a marquee matchup, a potential duel between the top picks in the last two NFL drafts.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, the No. 1 pick in 2015, going up against Rams quarterback Jared Goff, this year’s No. 1 pick.
That was the thought in late April anyway.
Five months later, Winston is ready for a rematch with the Rams. Goff is … on hold.
What to look for when the Rams play the Buccaneers
The Rams rank last in the NFL in passing offense, averaging 169.5 yards a game.
Quarterback Case Keenum is completing 54% of his passes. Keenum is most efficient when the running game is a threat, allowing him to make play-action throws.
Kenny Britt has been Keenum’s favorite target. The veteran has 10 receptions for 161 yards.
The Buccaneers got torched at Arizona last week and are giving up 316.5 passing yards a game.