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Week 3 Game Recap: St. Louis Rams 3, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24
What you need to know
| St. Louis Rams |
Marc Bulger had a game to forget against the Buccaneers, throwing three interceptions and failing to lead his team to an offensive touchdown. Bulger finished with just 116 yards and faced pressure from an aggressive Tampa Bay defensive front all game long.
Following last week's sideline rant, RB Steven Jackson was told he would be a more focal point in the offense, and the Rams were true to their word. They gave the talented back 34 total touches, as Jackson ran the ball 30 times for 115 yards and added 18 yards on four receptions in the passing game.
WR Torry Holt led the St. Louis receivers with five receptions for 63 yards, but the Rams passing attack was shut down for the majority of the game by the Buccaneers. More of the focus was on the running game this week for St. Louis, and it showed in the passing numbers for the Rams offense.
The St. Louis defense did its part in keeping the game close early on, but wore down late in the game as the Tampa Bay rushing attack seemed to wear them down. They were able to limit the scoring opportunities for the Buccaneers in the first half, holding them to just three first half points. The Rams defense was hurt by turnovers from the offense, and was forced to be on the field for much of the second half. Tampa Bay's running game wore them down, scoring two fourth quarter touchdowns on the ground to put the game out of reach.
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
Jeff Garcia has a command on the field that hasn't been seen in Tampa Bay since Brad Johnson. Garcia didn't post the big numbers he had last week, but was efficient through the air, completing 14 of 22 passes for 151 yards. While he failed to connect on any scores through the air, he made plays when needed and avoided turning the ball over or succumbing to the Rams pressure.
RB Cadillac Williams got off to a slow start, rushing for just six yards on four attempts in the first half, but picked it up to start the second session. Williams totaled 38 yards on the opening drive of the second half, capping the drive off with a seven yard touchdown run. He did seem to aggravate the rib injury he suffered two weeks ago in the fourth quarter, but did return for a series following the turnover.
Joey Galloway led the way for the Buccaneers receivers with 42 yards on four receptions, and while he was unable to score, three of his four receptions gave the Buccaneers first downs.
Tampa Bay's defense continued its strong play, limiting any big plays for the St. Louis passing attack, forcing three turnovers through the air, and finishing off tackles when RB Steven Jackson got into the open field. As a result, they were able to keep the Rams out of the end zone, and set the tone for the game early on. At times, the Buccaneers defense played a little too aggressive, with a late hit penalty and unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the same drive, but it appears their swagger and attitude is back on defense.
What you ought to know
| QB Marc Bulger, Pass: 17 - 26 - 116 - 0 TD / 3 INT |
Bulger had a game to forget against Tampa Bay, completing 17 of 26 yards for 113 yards and three interceptions. The Buccaneers front seven only sacked Bulger one time, but got pressure on him for the majority of the game. Bulger also did not get much help from his receivers, who could not seem to get behind the Tampa Bay secondary for any big plays downfield.
| RB Steven Jackson, Rush: 30 - 115 - 0, Rec: 4 - 18 - 0 (4 targets) |
Jackson was the Rams offense against Tampa Bay, totaling 34 touches on his way to 115 yards on the ground. He ran like the Jackson of 2006, hitting the hole and running downhill, challenging any defender in his way. He also chipped in with four receptions for 18 yards in the passing game, catching all four passes thrown to him. Jackson did have another fumble, but the ball was recovered by the Rams.
| RB Brian Leonard, Rush: 4 - 21 - 0, Rec: 1 - 6 - 0 (2 targets) |
Leonard got involved in the game early on and was used in spots throughout the game, finishing with four carries for 21 yards on the ground and one reception for six yards in the passing game. Leonard looked comfortable running the ball and hit the hole hard on all four of his carries.
| WR Torry Holt, Rec: 5 - 63 - 0 (6 targets) |
Holt was the most targeted St. Louis receiver with six for the game, and he was able to haul in five of those targets for 63 yards receiving. Four of Holt's receptions resulted in first downs, but he was unable to get much going downfield against the Buccaneers. He did show his veteran field presence, falling on a fumble by Steven Jackson and helping his club retain possession.
| WR Isaac Bruce, Rec: 3 - 14 - 0 (5 targets) |
Bruce struggled to find any openings in the Tampa Bay secondary, catching three passes for 14 yards on five targets. Bruce was injured in the second quarter on a play that ended up being nullified for a penalty, but did return later in the game and registered another catch in the fourth quarter. He fumbled the ball on the play he was injured on, and the ball was returned by Tampa Bay for a touchdown that was taken away for an offside penalty.
| WR Drew Bennett, Rec: 1 - 0 - 0 (4 targets) |
Bennett was targeted four times in the game but was able to come down with just one reception for no gain. He was targeted three times in the red zone, but could not come down with any receptions in the short field. One of those targets came on a fade in the end zone, where Bulger left the throw short and was intercepted.
| TE Randy McMichael, Rec: 2 - 13 - 0 (4 targets) |
McMichael was targeted four times in the game, catching two passes for 13 yards.
| PK Jeff Wilkins 1 - 3 FG, 0 - 0 XP, 3 points |
Wilkins uncharacteristically missed two of three field goal attempts, from 42 and 43 yards out, and connected on one from 25 yards out to finish with three points in the game.
| STL Rush Defense |
The Rams rush defense played well in the first half, holding the Buccaneers to 38 yards on nine rushes, but wore down in the second half. Tampa Bay was able to capitalize on St. Louis turnovers, and their offensive line seemed to get stronger as the game went on. The Buccaneers scored three second half touchdowns on the ground and used the running game to eat up the clock in the fourth quarter.
DB Ronald Bartell led the way defensively for St. Louis, totaling six solo tackles, and LB Will Witherspoon chipped in with five solo tackles and one assist.
| STL Pass Defense |
The St. Louis pass defense did not give up any big plays to the Tampa Bay offense, and gave up just 140 net yards passing for the game. They were able to keep WR Joey Galloway in check, and did not allow the speedster to get anything going downfield for the Buccaneers. While they were able to put marginal pressure on Garcia in the pocket, they registered just one sack and no turnovers through the air.
| QB Jeff Garcia, Pass: 14 - 22 - 151 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 3 - 3 - 0 |
Garcia was efficient in leading the Buccaneers to victory over the Rams. He completed 14 of 22 passes for 151 yards, and while he did not register a score through the air, he did what he had to do to keep drives alive. Garcia has shown the leadership skills and command in the huddle the Buccaneers hoped for when they signed him, and his play on the field has paid dividends. For the second week in a row, Garcia showed aggressiveness on plays where he's flushed out of the pocket, refusing to slide and reaching for the extra yard on almost every scramble play. He also threw a nasty block on a busted run play that Cadillac Williams was forced to take across field, and that block helped Williams turn nothing into a marginal gain for Tampa Bay.
| RB Cadillac Williams, Rush: 12 - 46 - 1, Rec: 1 - 3 - 0 (1 targets) |
Williams ran for just six yards on four attempts in the first half, but came out strong in the second half, shouldering the load on the first drive of the third quarter that he capped off with a seven yard touchdown run. However, Williams did have a fumble that could have been costly for the Buccaneers, and while he did return on the next series, he was on the field for just one play and then did not return for the remainder of the game. He seemed to aggravate his rib injury on the fumble, but his absence in the game seemed to be more of a message being sent by coach Jon Gruden. Williams did catch a pass on his only target of the game for a three yard gain.
| RB Michael Pittman, Rush: 7 - 56 - 0, Rec: 3 - 35 - 0 (5 targets) |
Pittman was used as a change of pace back for Williams in the first half, and responded with 31 yards on just three rushes. He carried the ball four times in the second half and finished with 56 yards rushing. Pittman was also used in the passing game, catching three passes for 35 yards on five targets.
| RB Earnest Graham, Rush: 8 - 75 - 2 |
Graham entered the game in relief of Cadillac Williams and made the most of his opportunity. He ran the ball eight times, totaling 75 yards and rushing scores from eight and 28 yards out, putting the game away for Tampa Bay. Graham showed nice burst and decision making in picking his holes, and showed his toughness by not going down on first contact on a number of plays.
| WR Joey Galloway, Rec: 4 - 42 - 0 (4 targets) |
Galloway was targeted four times in the game, catching all four passes for 42 yards. While he did not come through with any of the big plays he's accustomed to producing, three of his four receptions netted first downs. Galloway did get hit hard across the middle and appeared shaken up, so owners will want to keep an eye on his injury status for next week.
| WR Michael Clayton, Rush: 2 - 2 - 0, Rec: 1 - 12 - 0 (2 targets) |
Clayton had just one catch for 12 yards, and dropped a ball on his only other target of the game that would have been a big gain. QB Jeff Garcia came right back to Clayton following the drop, and he came down with the 12 yard reception. Following the play, Garcia slapped Clayton in the helmet, possibly in an attempt to help his confidence. Clayton did not get any looks after that, and his absence in the offense continues.
| WR Ike Hilliard, Rec: 2 - 32 - 0 (4 targets) |
Hilliard was targeted four times, catching two passes for 32 yards. Both of his receptions gave the Buccaneers first downs.
| TE Alex Smith, Rec: 3 - 27 - 0 (5 targets) |
Smith tied for the team lead with five targets and caught three passes for 27 yards. He seems to be an effective weapon when Tampa Bay can afford to send him out in pass patterns and not have to use his extra body to help pass protect. If the Buccaneers line starts to gel, his production could increase.
| PK Matt Bryant 1 - 2 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 6 points |
Bryant missed a 54 yard attempt, slipping on his plant and letting the kick fall short. He seemed to be injured on the play, but returned to action, kicking a 27 yard field goal and adding three extra points, finishing with six points.
| TB Rush Defense |
Tampa Bay's rush defense was tested early and often by the Rams. RB Steven Jackson pounded the ball 30 times in the game, gaining 115 yards on the ground. While Jackson was able to rush for over 100 yards, his long run was 14 yards and the Buccaneers were able to keep him out of the end zone. This defensive unit seems to be coming together, and their play is improving every week.
Tampa Bay had a lot of tackle opportunities against the Rams, and their ability to finish off plays was a big difference in the game. LB Barrett Rudd had another strong game, finishing with eight solo tackles, three assists and an interception. LB Derrick Brooks chipped in with six solo tackles, two assists and a forced fumble, and DB Jermaine Phillips totaled five solo tackles, two assists and an interception.
| TB Pass Defense |
The Buccaneers pass defense did a great job containing the St. Louis receivers, holding QB Marc Bulger to just 116 yards and forcing three interceptions. While they only sacked Bulger one time in the game, they were able to get pressure on the Rams signal caller and make him hurry some throws. For the game, they held the Rams to three of 12 on third downs.
The aforementioned Barrett Rudd and Jermaine Phillips each had interceptions, and DB Phillip Buchanon added an interception of his own, taking away a Bulger fade attempt to WR Drew Bennett in the end zone. Buchanon's play was a big momentum builder and went a long way in helping Tampa Bay keep the Rams out of the end zone for the game.
