Rams blow it vs. Bucs, lose 16-13: Instant analysis of Week 9 loss

[theramswire.usatoday.com] Rams blow it vs. Bucs, lose 16-13: Instant analysis of Week 9 loss


Cameron DaSilva
November 6, 2022 4:30 pm PT

The Rams are going to have a hard time recovering from this one. They led the Buccaneers for most of the game, even clinging to a 13-9 lead with less than a minute to play.


Then Tom Brady woke up and picked apart the Rams’ soft zone coverages, completing pass after pass on the final drive before hitting Cade Otton for a game-winning touchdown with 9 seconds left.

It’s a game both teams needed, but the Rams blew it and squandered a golden opportunity to get to 4-4. Instead, they’re 3-5 after losing two straight games.

This one hurts even more than last week’s loss to the 49ers because it’s one the Rams had in their grasp. They led from 7-3 and even held a 13-6 lead into the fourth quarter. The defense did its job for 59 minutes, but the final minute was one that drastically changed the Rams’ season.

Final score: Buccaneers 16, Rams 13

Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports


Game notes
The Rams benched Oday Aboushi and started Chandler Brewer at right guard, which was a surprising move. Bobby Evans has been the weak link along the offensive line, but he remained a starter and struggled mightily in this game. Evans allowed three sacks, two to Vea.
Cooper Kupp might not have two healthy ankles but he didn’t look hampered by last week’s injury at all. He burned the Buccaneers again, catching eight passes for 127 yards and one touchdown.
The Rams seemed to play more man coverage and had their cornerbacks pressing at the line of scrimmage at times, which is atypical for this scheme. It did appear to help when the Bucs had short-yardage situations.
Allen Robinson made a handful of really tough catches in traffic, helping move the chains for the offense. That’s an area he’s excelled, even if he’s not making big plays.
The Rams had just nine first downs in the entire game and none of them came in the fourth quarter. The Buccaneers had 18 first downs, going 9-for-21 on third down, picking up four first downs on their final drive.
The defense completely shut down the Buccaneers offense for most of the day, forcing Brady to check it down more often than not. Most of his passes came within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage, largely thanks to the Rams collapsing the pocket and keeping plays in front of them.
However, they completely collapsed at the end and allowed a game-winning touchdown to the Bucs with 9 seconds left, the Buccaneers’ only touchdown drive of the afternoon. They went 60 yards in six plays on their final possession.

It was over when...
… Brady hit Cade Otton for a short touchdown pass with 9 seconds left, giving the Buccaneers a 16-13 lead.


3 stars of the game

Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

No. 3 star: Bobby Wagner – 13 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 blocked FG

No. 2 star: Aaron Donald – 3 tackles, 2 QB hits, 1 sack, 1 PBU

No. 1 star: Cooper Kupp – 8 catches, 127 yards, 1 TD

Play of the game
Kupp has been the Rams’ only consistent player on offense, and despite coming into this game with a lingering ankle injury, he wasn’t slowed down at all. Stafford connected with Kupp for a 69-yard touchdown in the first half, one of the Rams’ best and longest plays of the season.

It was also his 500th career reception.


What's next?

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Rams will return home to host the Cardinals in Week 10, their second time facing Arizona this season. The Cardinals are coming off a 31-21 loss to the Seahawks on Sunday, which dropped their record to 3-6 on the year.