But with matching records of 6-8, the Rams and Bucs are now the 10th and 11th seeded teams competing for one of the NFC Wildcard berths. As he’s done the majority of the season, Humphries served as a dependable short-and-intermediate safety valve for Jameis Winston, and his reception, yardage and target totals were all career-highs.
Advertisement
“It was one of those days, ” Winston said. If the Tampa Bay offensive line can keep Donald, Long, and Hayes in check (for the most part), the Bucs will likely win this game.
Defensively, the Bucs limited Rams rookie Todd Gurley to 48 yards on 21 carries but were unable to stop Case Keenum from beating them with the NFL’s least productive passing attack. With that said, here is a look at three key matchups that will play a major role in the outcome of this game.
It looked like Michael Brockers might have dislocated his shoulder, but he was able to return to the game. “Anything can happen…. We’ll keep fighting, try to finish strong”. Austin put it up 7-0 just over three minutes into the game by taking a short pass from Keenum and bolting 17 yards. “We haven’t handled some situations well, but I’ve seen improvement from that”.
Despite a dominating fourth quarter, in which Tampa Bay outscored St. Louis 17-3, the 21-3 deficit they faced at halftime was too much to overcome in front of the incredibly excited hometown audience. Receiver Donteea Dye caught a 44-yard pass, thought he’d been touched down and held the ball up, only to have a Rams defender knock it loose.
Fortunately for the Bucs, tight end Luke Stocker was there and jumped on the loose ball at the 3. 500 mark for the first time since November 2012.
Keenum lacks arm strength, but clicked on a 60-yard touchdown pass with Kenny Britt and has won both of his starts since coming off a concussion. They were flagged nine times for 56 yards. Martin led the way with 91 yards on 18 attempts. A few of the stars of that era participated in a halftime ceremony Thursday, including ex-quarterback Kurt Warner, who threw a faux-touchdown pass to longtime target Torry Holt. “When they score, we’re trying to get the ball back to them while they’re hot”.
Kroenke, also the majority shareholder in English football club Arsenal, attended the game at the Edward Jones Dome in which Tavon Austin scored a pair of touchdowns for the Rams. “From special teams to offense to defense, we just feed off each other”.
BIG RETURNS: Benny Cunningham had a 102-yard kickoff return to the 3 in the fourth quarter, setting up a field goal. Orie Lemon looked lost, Danny Lansanah missed the defense’s only real chance for a game-changing play by dropping a sure pick-six just before the half, and this unit clearly misses Kwon Alexander and Bruce Carter.
Advertisement
The Bucs, who could be eliminated from the playoff race as early as Sunday, will face Chicago at home and unbeaten Carolina on the road to close their second season under Smith.
