After doing just enough to move into a tie atop the NFC last week, the Los Angeles Rams move on to a test against a fellow division leader Sunday night when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrive at Inglewood, Calif.
The Rams (8-2) have moved up to the No. 2 seed in the NFC, and since a Week 3 loss to the No. 1 seed Philadelphia Eagles, they have won six of seven games. They avenged the one loss in the stretch by rolling past the San Francisco 49ers in Week 10.
Last week, the Rams struggled to break through against the Seattle Seahawks’ defense yet still pulled off a 21-19 victory in the battle for the top spot in the NFC West.
Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for a season-low 130 yards but had two touchdown passes to give him an NFL-best 27 on the season. Puka Nacua had seven catches for 75 yards and Kyren Williams rushed for 91 yards and a TD.
On defense, the Rams intercepted Sam Darnold four times, including two picks from Kam Kinchens.
“Our defense has been great,” McVay said. “I think they have been at their best in the most important moments. I thought it was awesome to be able to force the turnovers and be able to tighten up in the red zone like we did. … A lot of confidence in the offense and defense when you’re (getting results) like that.”
A major Rams concern is on the injury front as safety Quentin Lake (elbow), tight end Tyler Higbee (ankle) and offensive lineman Rob Havenstein (ankle, knee) all went on injured reserve.
Tight end has been a strength for McVay, who has been using three tight-end sets by utilizing Higbee, Davis Allen, rookie Terrance Ferguson and Colby Parkinson.
The look has been the latest example of McVay’s ever-changing offensive approach, with Stafford compiling 22 TD passes and no interceptions over his past seven games.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield continues to look sharp in his third season in Tampa Bay. While his completion percentage (63.5%) and his passing touchdowns (17) are off from his impressive totals of 71.4% and 41, respectively, last season, he has just three interceptions in 10 games after leading the NFL with 16 last year.
Mayfield revived his career with a short stop in Los Angeles in 2022. In just five late-season games (four starts) for the Rams, he showed he still had the talent to be a winner, leading to a free-agent deal with the Buccaneers that offseason.
“It was pivotal in my journey,” Mayfield said this week about his time in L.A. “It helped me to find the fun in football again, that joy. And just getting to learn from those (coaches). … They helped me to discover what offense I really want to play in. It’s something I’m forever grateful for.”
After two Pro Bowl selections in two seasons with the Buccaneers, Mayfield has Tampa Bay atop the NFC South by a half-game over the Carolina Panthers.
A defense that helped lead the way to a 6-2 start this season has been up against it since the team’s bye week. Tampa Bay is coming off a 28-23 home loss to the New England Patriots in Week 10 and a 44-32 defeat at Buffalo last week. The Bills’ Josh Allen threw three touchdown passes and ran for three more scores.
Sean Tucker had 106 rushing yards for Tampa Bay, which had a season-best 202 yards on the ground.
The Buccaneers still await the return of wideout Chris Godwin (fibula) and running back Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder), who were limited Wednesday. Linebackers Chris Braswell Jr. (foot) and Haason Reddick (ankle, knee), cornerback Jamel Dean (hip) and guard Ben Bredson (hamstring) did not practice.
The Buccaneers could use all the help they can get as they face the Rams, whose defense is second in the NFL with 17.2 points allowed per game.
The Rams are also second in turnover ratio at plus-10, while the Buccaneers are third at plus-nine.
Los Angeles wide receiver Xavier Smith (concussion) did not practice Wednesday, while linebacker Nate Landman (back) was limited.
