Two out of three ain’t bad, but 2-1 Rams are keeping things in perspective

The Rams have not won a division title since 2003 or played in a postseason game since 2004.

So despite a 2-1 start that puts them in first place in the NFC West, no one associated with the franchise is getting too far ahead of themselves after three games, especially Coach Jeff Fisher.

“Do the playoffs start next week?” Fisher deadpanned Monday when asked if he thought about his team’s lofty position in the standings.

The Rams recovered from their embarrassing season-opening loss against the San Francisco 49ers to win consecutive games against the Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The 37-32 victory at Tampa gave the Rams a 2-1 record for the first time in 10 years. The Rams play at 1-2 Arizona on Sunday.

“Everybody wants to start fast, and we didn’t,” Fisher said of the 28-0 defeat by the 49ers. “But we found a way the last couple weeks.”

The Rams beat the Seahawks and the Buccaneers with a similar formula: Rely on the defense to come up with a game-saving play in the final minute.

Linebackers Alec Ogletree and Mark Barron forced a fumble with 45 seconds left to preserve a 9-3 victory over the Seahawks at the Coliseum.

On Sunday, end Robert Quinn chased down Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston and tackled him at the Rams’ five-yard line as time expired.

A Rams offense that had not scored a touchdown in the first two games produced four against the Buccaneers.

But the unit needs to do more, running back Todd Gurley said.

“We’ve just got to do a better job,” he said after the victory Sunday. “We shouldn’t have to put our defense in that predicament every week.”

Springing Gurley for a long run or a 100-yard game would be a start. The reigning NFL offensive rookie of the year has rushed for 183 yards and is averaging 2.9 yards per carry.

But Gurley was effective at times against the Buccaneers, scoring on two short touchdown runs and dazzling with an acrobatic 16-yard gain that Fisher described Monday as “one of the better runs” he had seen in the last 20 years.

Quarterback Case Keenum passed for two touchdowns and recovered from a first-quarter interception that was returned for a touchdown.

“It didn’t faze him whatsoever,” Fisher said.

Now it’s on to Arizona to play a Cardinals team that routed the Buccaneers two weeks ago and then lost on Sunday to Buffalo, 33-18.

“We’re not going to get comfortable,” defensive tackle Aaron Donald said Sunday. “We still have more work to do.”

Depth charge

Defensive lineman William Hayes left Sunday’s game because of an ankle injury.

But when end Eugene Sims was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct, Hayes exited the locker room and returned to the field.

“There’s no way he should’ve returned,” Fisher said, adding, “Will just said, ‘I have to go out. I’ve got to go.’ So, he came out and helped us.”

Tackle Michael Brockers also was sidelined briefly before returning, so the Rams’ defensive line depth was tested and came through.

Ethan Westbrooks returned a fumble 77 yards for a touchdown and tackles Cam Thomas and Dominique Easley contributed.

Penalty problems

The Rams have committed 27 penalties for 249 yards, third- and fourth-most, respectively, in the league, according to NFL.com.

Sims was ejected in the second quarter after an extra-point kick by the Buccaneers.

“Something was said and he retaliated,” Fisher said. “No place for it, no place for it at all. . . . It falls under that category of the pre-snap and post-snap penalties that you just can’t have.

“We’re on pace, right now, from a penalty standpoint — it doesn’t look good.”

Donald was ejected during the season opener.

“That stuff has to stop,” Fisher said.

Cornerback Lamarcus Joyner also was ejected during an exhibition against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Quick hits

Cornerback E.J. Gaines and receivers Pharoh Cooper and Nelson Spruce could return from injuries this week. “He’s feeling good,” Fisher said of Gaines, “which is good for the defense.” . . . Fisher on why he went for a two-point conversion with a 37-26 lead in the fourth quarter: “We were up by 11, which in my brain is three scores: a touchdown, two-point conversion and a field goal. I was thinking if I could just get to 13 . . . I would put pressure on their placekicker. Because he had been struggling.” Buccaneers kicker Roberto Aguayo, a second-round draft pick, had missed an extra-point kick and a field-goal attempt.