Rams Hold Off Buccaneers 37-32 To Improve To 2-1
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — Case Keenum threw for the Rams' first touchdown since relocating back to Los Angeles, and Todd Gurley rushed for two more scores Sunday in a 37-32 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Rams (2-1), who did not get into the end zone in the first two games of the season, also scored on Ethan Westbrooks' 77-yard fumble return and Tavon Austin's 43-yard reception in the fourth quarter before thunder and lightning caused a 69-minute weather delay with two minutes remaining.
Keenum, who used three field goals to beat Seattle 9-3 in Week 2, completed 14 of 25 passes for 190 yards, two TDs and one interception, which Bucs linebacker Kwon Alexander returned 38 yards for a first-quarter touchdown. In addition to throwing a TD pass to Austin for a late 11-point lead, he got the Rams on track early with his 44-yard scoring pass to Brian Quick for the franchise's first TD as the L.A. Rams since 1994.
Jameis Winston threw for 405 yards and three TDs for Tampa Bay (1-2). He threw an interception that set up one of Gurley's two 1-yard touchdown runs and was stripped by the Rams' Robert Quinn on the fumble that Westbrooks returned up the left sideline for a 31-20 lead.
Winston's 7-yard TD pass to Mike Evans trimmed Tampa Bay's deficit to 37-32 with 2:15 remaining.
The Bucs forced a punt after the lightning delay and drove from their own 44 to the Rams 15 before Winston threw two incompletions and was tackled on the 5-yard line by Quinn on the final play.
WEATHER DELAY
Officials suspended play during the two-minute warning with the Rams facing third-and-11 from their own 5-yard line. Fans were asked to clear the stands and seek coverage in stadium concourses before the approaching thunderstorm passed directly over the field, dumping heavy rain.
DROUGHT ENDS
The Rams scored their first touchdown of the season, driving 75 yards on eight plays following the opening kickoff to take a 7-0 lead on Keenum's 44-yard pass to Quick just over three minutes into the game. Gurley's TD, set up by ex-Buc Mark Barron's interception and seven-yard return to the Tampa Bay 22, trimmed Tampa Bay's lead to 20-17 just before halftime. With Tampa Bay driving for a possible go-ahead score in the fourth quarter, Quinn's sack/strip led to Westbrooks' fumble return. It was the NFL-leading 18th fumble Quinn has forced since entering the league in 2012.
FILLING IN
With RB Doug Martin sidelined with a hamstring injury, Charles Sims made his first NFL pro start for the Bucs and rushed for 55 yards on 13 attempts. The third-year pro, who has been a key component of Tampa Bay's passing game since Winston joined the team, also had six receptions for 69 yards.
WATCH ME NOW
The Bucs unveiled a new video board system as part of a $140 million renovation of Raymond James Stadium. The system features two 9,600 square-foot boards 9,600 square-foot boards on the north and south ends of the stadium, as well as four 2,300 square-foot tower walls. With more than 31,000 square feet of combined video display space, the team says it the third-largest video board system in the NFL.
INJURIES
Rams: Did not report any during the game.
Buccaneers: G Kevin Pamphile left in the game in the second half and did not return. There was no immediate announcement on his status. Played without RB Martin (hamstring), DE Robert Ayers (ankle), Jr., TE Luke Stocker (ankle), and WR Cecil Shorts III (hamstring), who were all injured during the previous week's loss at Arizona.
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