Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Los Angeles Rams
Final Score: Rams 34, Buccaneers 7
Writer: Chris Helle (@ChrisHelleQBL on Twitter/X, Reddit)
This game could have been a real fun primetime matchup between the veteran QBs and their high-scoring offenses. Matthew Stafford and the Rams held up their end of the bargain, getting Davante Adams in the endzone twice in the first half. Tampa Bay’s offense was outmatched by LA’s defense from the get-go, including when Cobie Durant stripped the ball from the juggling Cade Otton and returned it for a pick-six. The game really fell apart when Baker Mayfield went down, grasping at his left shoulder. Teddy Bridgewater filled in for the entire second half, and boy, it was not pretty. The 31-7 game at halftime ended with only one additional field goal from the Rams, as both teams put the game into a real-life version of autosim. The Rams improve to 9-2, taking the #1 position in the NFC from the recently defeated Eagles, while the Buccs cling to hopes that Baker’s injury doesn’t sideline him for long.
Two Up
- Matthew Stafford — The MVP campaign continues.
- Davante Adams — We’ve heard of goal-line backs, but this man is a goal-line receiver and TD machine.
Three Down
- Baker Mayfield — While it’s his non-throwing shoulder, Baker could be in for some significant time missed.
- Emeka Egbuka — It could be some real tough sledding ahead without QB1.
- Kyren Williams — The backfield was split heavily while the game was still competitive, and Blake Corum kept the field for a full goal-line sequence.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield: 9/19, 41 Yards, 1 TD, 2 INT | 4 Carries, 19 Yards
It was a slow start for Baker, and it only got worse. Screens were getting blown up, and he missed a deep shot to Emeka Egbuka early. He was getting blitzed on the playside of play-action bootlegs or under pressure from the Rams, only bringing 4 rushers. In classic Baker fashion, he tried extending a scramble by lowering his shoulders into two defenders near the first down marker, but was noticeably in pain. He played through the pain in his left shoulder for a short drive; however, a Hail Mary attempt to end the half put the injury over the edge, and he didn’t take the field in the second half. Both of his INTs were eye-roll worthy. One was bobbled through Cade Otton‘s hands into the defender, and the other was the Hail Mary attempt at the end of the half. His TD was easily his best throw of the day, but we’ll have to hope his shoulder injury isn’t too severe to see more of those from him in the near future.
Teddy Bridgewater: 8/15, 62 Yards | 1 Carries, 6 Yards
It was fun seeing Teddy Bridgewater return to action, but he simply isn’t the chief. As with most backup QBs, the Bucs ran the ball a bit before letting Teddy air it out. His first few throws were nowhere close to the mark. It seemed like he settled into just enjoying being on the field again, but there was no real semblance of finding a legitimate rhythm running the offense. This offense will likely lean on the ground for the foreseeable future.
Running Back
Sean Tucker: 12 Carries, 42 Yards | 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 4 Yards
While Sean Tucker led the backfield in carries, he was out-snapped by Rachaad White by 16 snaps (26 to White’s 42). It was already a split backfield at the start of the game, but leading into some more passing work helped White find the field more. There simply wasn’t much to work with on the ground for either back. The o-line wasn’t making a significant push, and nearly everything between the tackles was smothered up. The only TD for this offense came through the air comfortably outside the 10-yard line, so there was no goal-line work or insights to take away.
Rachaad White: 7 Carries, 38 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 4 Yards
Because Rachaad White was employed as more of the passing-down back per usual, he had a few carries that caught the Rams front by surprise to churn out 6 or 7 yards. With Teddy Bridgewater likely taking the helm and an unknown return from Bucky Irving, White could continue to see a significant portion of this backfield’s field time. Teddy was more inclined to throw it downfield, but White ran a route on over half his snaps and might be in store for some checkdown work.
Owen Wright: 3 Carries, 6 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Emeka Egbuka: 8 Targets, 3 Receptions, 32 Yards
There was a lot of meat left on the bone, and this could be a continued story for Emeka Egbuka. Baker Mayfield missed him on a deep ball early, and then his only catches were two screens for no gains. Teddy Bridgewater missed him very poorly on most of his other targets, but was able to connect with him once for his full 32 yards. The so-far-so-good explosive rookie season might be taking a severe boom or bust skid pending the results of Baker’s diagnosis.
Tez Johnson: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 21 Yards, 1 TD | 2 Carries, 12 Yards
The other rookie WR got the production quicker than Egbuka. Baker hit him on a skinny post to start the second quarter for a 14-yard touchdown. He was used on two jet sweeps and a screen, hoping his shiftiness could turn it into an explosive gain. The Rams’ open-field tackling was good, and Johnson made some questionable cuts in open space.
Cade Otton: 7 Targets, 4 Receptions, 21 Yards
The TE should take one of those interceptions from Baker’s stat line. The bobble interception was his lone drop, but he wasn’t able to turn any of his short completions into meaningful yards after the catch. Cade Otton saw a season-high of targets two weeks ago with 12, but the return of Chris Godwin Jr. will make more of an impact on his target share going forward.
Sterling Shepard: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 12 Yards
This was a worst-case scenario for Sterling Shephard. He had a drop on a 4th down attempt in the first half, and had some of his 11-personnel reps being split with the returning Chris Godwin. Until Mike Evans returns, this WR rotation will be hard to pin down, and there will not likely be a lot of value to share from them without their franchise QB.
Chris Godwin Jr.: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 9 Yards
It was his first game back after missing five weeks, but Chris Godwin was only on the field for 25 snaps compared to Shephard’s 41 and over 60 from Johnson and Egbuka. There’s a chance the team wanted to ease him back into game speed, but the other WRs have been playing well enough in his stead. It will be hard to carve out more field time going forward.
Los Angeles Rams
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford: 25/35, 273 Yards, 3 TDs
It’s another blemish-free and multi-TD stat line from the current MVP front-runner. Matthew Stafford makes the job look easy, directing the offense while making every throw on the field. He started with 12-straight completions before a drop broke the streak. Davante Adams won the 1-on-1 for the first TD pass, but Stafford put the other two TDs on the money. He hasn’t thrown an interception since Week 3, and is on pace for 38 passing TDs on the season.
Running Back
Kyren Williams: 12 Carries, 46 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 2 Yards
While the snaps were 2-to-1 in Kyren Williams‘ favor over Blake Corum during the first half, it surely felt like a more split backfield. It is definitely worth noting that Corum broke a decent carry down to the 5-yard line and stayed on the field for all 3 ensuing plays. All of those plays were pass attempts, which is even more reason to be fearful for Kyren’s production. This backfield could be even more of a timeshare to maintain both RBs’ health going into the post-season, and the staff might continue to gear the offense for Stafford continuing his MVP-caliber season. It’s a high-functioning offense that Kyren is the lead back of, but there are absolutely reasons to be concerned.
Blake Corum: 7 Carries, 24 Yards
Blake Corum won’t be taking over lead-back duties, but he looks solid enough on his opportunities to continue splitting reps and staying on the field for goal line work. He didn’t get any of those value carries in this one, but he is a high-value handcuff with a good ceiling should Kyren miss any time.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Puka Nacua: 11 Targets, 7 Receptions, 97 Yards
Just another day at the office for Puka Nacua. He was all over the field per usual, though he didn’t get any jet sweep carries near the goal line. He was targeted on a back shoulder once, but it was mistimed with Stafford. There was a play where he was tackled awkwardly and looked to be mildly shaken up, but it likely won’t be anything to keep him from playing against the Panthers next week.
Davante Adams: 8 Targets, 5 Receptions, 62 Yards, 2 TDs
This is Davante Adams‘ 5th straight game with a TD, and the 3rd in that span with more than one. He’s a menace near the goal line, this time with a back-shoulder fade. His second was a go-route down the sideline that Stafford put right in the breadbasket. Adams isn’t utilized quite as much between the 20s, but is obviously capable and there when they need him. This offense is humming, and his chemistry with Stafford has been on full display.
Colby Parkinson: 4 Targets, 4 Receptions, 41 Yards, 1 TD
It’s a maddening TE rotation in this offense, but the ball went the way of Colby Parkinson at the goal line. It’s Parkinson’s third straight game with a TD, though his target share gives reason to doubt the reliability of the goal-line work. He and the other TEs alike are risky touchdown-dependent fantasy assets.
Davis Allen: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 29 Yards
Konata Mumpfield: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 25 Yards
Jordan Whittington: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 17 Yards
Terrance Ferguson: 1 Target, 0 Receptions, 0 Yards