Matthew Stafford, 'playing lights out,' continues la Rams rolling as Hollywood looks on
Matthew Stafford continues to show his price in l. a., tossing four touchdowns because the Rams decide on aside the Buccaneers at home. (1:fifty one)
11:26 PM ETLindsey ThiryESPN
shutINGLEWOOD, Calif. -- l. a. Rams shielding lineman Aaron Donald discovered quarterback Matthew Stafford following a decisive win over the defending tremendous Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, gave him a huge hug and spoke of, "i really like you, man!"
In front of a celeb-studded crowd that included four-time NBA champion LeBron James, actor Jason Sudeikis and rapper-producer Dr. Dre, Stafford propelled the Rams to a 3-0 delivery as he passed for 343 yards and four touchdowns in a 34-24 victory over the in the past undefeated Bucs at SoFi Stadium.
"he's playing lights out," Donald talked about. "that is why he is right here, we expect that from him and that i understand he'll proceed doing what he's doing and even at an improved degree."
Bucs quarterback Tom Brady passed for 432 yards and a touchdown and rushed for a team-high 14 yards and a rating, but found himself under consistent force and became sacked 3 times.
"it be simply a pretty good defense," observed Brady, who has been compelled on a league-low 17.eight% of his dropbacks considering the fact that arriving last season in Tampa Bay, but saw a pass rush Sunday that pressured him 27% of the time. "they have respectable pass-rush schemes, they have decent flow-rushers, they mix things up fairly just a little on you so or not it's complicated to really simply to tee off."
avid gamers had been hesitant to agree that Sunday's win over the Bucs provided any type of measuring stick of their pursuit of super Bowl LVI, however Donald, a catalyst in the Rams' 2018 super Bowl run, referred to this group "for bound" has the make-up to get there.
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"it's only three video games, nonetheless bought an extended season, but certainly it is the premier intention, it's what we're chasing," stated Donald, who recorded his first sack against Brady in 4 conferences. "that's the best component i'm chasing."
each groups struggled offensively throughout the first quarter, and the Rams took a 14-7 lead into halftime.
Stafford dialed it up after the smash.
dealing with a third-and-10 from his own 25-yard line, Stafford went via his progression before he finally found receiver DeSean Jackson for a seventy five-yard touchdown strike to put the Rams up 21-7 on the opening force of the 2d half.
"He pushes it down the container so conveniently," Bucs teach Bruce Arians stated about Stafford. "you're right up in his face one time, he finds a guy large-open down the field and receives it to him. lots of guys, they see it however they can not get it to him. he is a special player."
Rams coach Sean McVay bolted down the sideline to celebrate the long ranking with Jackson, who was coming off every week 2 online game without a goals however changed into signed to a one-yr free-agent contract over the offseason to supply a deep risk that the Rams lacked closing season.
"It electrified the stands, the fanatics, the complete team," noted Jackson, who grew to be the ninth participant in NFL heritage with at the least 10 75-yard touchdowns and finished Sunday with three receptions for 120 yards.
"i used to be just being within the second, having enjoyable," McVay said. "There became lots of good reasons to be excited for our crew nowadays."
Brady responded with a quick nine-play, seventy five-yard scoring power that he capped with a 1-yard keeper for a touchdown that pulled the Bucs within one ranking, however Stafford countered with a landing power of his personal when he discovered receiver Cooper Kupp for a 10-yard landing and the Rams kicked a forty eight-yard container goal on the following drive to draw back.
Kupp caught 9 passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns.
Stafford's seventy five-yard touchdown circulate accounted for his third passing landing of 50-plus yards this season, tying the variety of 50-plus-yard passing touchdowns the Rams had in 2019 and 2020 combined with former quarterback Jared Goff.
In three games in L.A., Stafford has nine passing touchdowns, which ties him with corridor of Famer Kurt Warner in 1999 for the most touchdowns in Rams heritage via three games.
"i used to be the new guy coming in and that they've embraced me, which became brilliant," noted Stafford, who performed 12 seasons with the Detroit Lions and became got via a blockbuster offseason alternate. "i am just attempting to be myself daily, deliver my ideal every day and spot where that takes us."
The Rams will stay at SoFi Stadium next Sunday and should open division play against the undefeated Arizona Cardinals.
Brady will return to New England, where he performed 20 seasons and won six super Bowls, to face former coach invoice Belichick and the 1-2 Patriots.
ESPN workforce author Jenna Laine contributed to this document.
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