The St. Louis Rams dominated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football, winning 31-23. The Rams scored 21 points in the first half and though the Buccaneers finally put up a fight in the second half, it was too little, too late.
Buccaneers vs. Rams 2015 final score: St. Louis dominates in 31-23 win
The Rams dominated the Buccaneers on Thursday, winning 31-23 on the back of a strong game from Case Keenum.
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Case Keenum threw for 234 yards and a pair of touchdowns with no interceptions, and the Rams put up 98 yards rushing on the ground in total. They managed to force an interception on Buccaneers rookie Jameis Winston and generally controlled the pace of the game.
Doug Martin had a big game for the Buccaneers, rushing for 91 yards, but he didn't find the end zone and Winston completed just 29 of 50 passes for 363 yards and a pair of touchdowns with the one interception. Tampa Bay ultimately rushed for 145 yards on the ground.
The Rams got out to a very strong start in Sunday's game. A strong return on the opening possession set them up near midfield, and they quickly drove 57 yards in six plays before Keenum found Tavon Austin for a 17-yard touchdown. After a punt and a Buccaneers field goal, the Rams covered 82 yards in just three plays when Keenum hit Kenny Britt for a 60-yard touchdown.
Tampa Bay almost had a scoring drive late in the first half, but Doug Martin was stuffed on a 4th and 1 in St. Louis territory. The Rams took the next drive and went 75 yards in nine plays, capped by a 3-yard touchdown from Todd Gurley.
Keenum was 10-of-13 for 175 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the first half. When the third quarter got underway, Keenum had hit five different receivers for two receptions apiece. Gurley had 26 yards and a touchdown, while Winston had thrown for just 49 yards in the opening half.
In the second half, Winston connected with Luke Stocker and Austin Seferian-Jenkins on a couple touchdown passes, but the Rams also put up another score and a field goal of their own to maintain a comfortable lead. They were able to kneel out the game comfortably at the end.
St. Louis improved to 6-8 on the year, a huge longshot for the playoffs. The Buccaneers are now 6-8 as well and their playoff hopes are fading. The Buccaneers will next play the Chicago Bears in Week 16. The Rams will play the rival Seahawks.
See More:
