Advertisement

Things you might have missed in the Rams’ 37-32 victory over the Buccaneers

Share

Sometimes it’s the small details that make the biggest plays possible. Here are a few from the Rams’ 37-32 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

FIRST QUARTER

On the Rams’ first touchdown pass of the season, quarterback Case Keenum took advantage of man-to-man coverage against receiver Brian Quick, who was running a post pattern. Pro Bowl corner Alterraun Verner allowed Quick to take the inside of the field on his route, but he had no help deep.

Advertisement

Todd Gurley may be the star running back, but Benny Cunningham owns the longest run by a Ram this season. On third and 17, after a sack by linebacker Lavonte David earlier in the drive, Cunningham broke through the open middle field for a 22-yard gain into Buccaneers territory. The Rams managed only 12 more yards to set up kicker Greg Zuerlein with a 53-yard field goal, his longest of the season. Cunningham also had a 44-yard kickoff return.

SECOND QUARTER

On Kenny Britt’s fumble, David made a heads-up play to force the turnover. Britt’s legs were wrapped up by another defender, but instead of bringing the receiver down with a tackle, David ran to the side of Britt and punched the ball loose. Safety Chris Conte picked up the ball, giving the Buccaneers good field position on the Rams 30. That led to a touchdown.

When quarterback Jameis Winston got his feet moving, the Rams had trouble staying disciplined in coverage. Winston extended and converted a third-and-14 play by scrambling right and hitting new starting tight end Cameron Brate with a 20-yard pass. Winston went to that well again on the next play, scrambling right and drawing the secondary away from Brate, who grabbed a three-yard touchdown pass.

Cornerback Trumaine Johnson created a turnover by using his head and leading with his shoulder. Johnson gave Buccaneers running back Charles Sims III some room off the line, but kept his eyes on the quarterback. When the throw came to Sims, Johnson used the five-yard cushion as a runway to launch his shoulder into Sims’ hands and pop the ball loose and into the hands of safety T.J. McDonald.

THIRD QUARTER

Advertisement

The Rams turned to Gurley six times during their eight-play scoring drive, including a season-best 16-yard run. On Gurley’s one-yard scoring run, tight end Cory Harkey sealed the left edge with a block that created a gaping hole for Gurley, who opted to dive through a crowd of defenders instead for a touchdown.

FOURTH QUARTER

The Buccaneers blitzed Keenum on a third and two, leaving Tavon Austin in man coverage on a crossing route. When Austin grabbed a pass underneath the coverage, he spun out of an attempted arm tackle by the scrambling defender and ran 43 yards for a touchdown.

matt.wilhalme@latimes.com

Follow Matt Wilhalme on Twitter @mattwilhalme

Advertisement