Takeaways as Rams crush Buccaneers 34-7 on Sunday Night Football

The Los Angeles Rams keep rolling. Los Angeles on Week 12 of Sunday Night Football crushed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 34-7 in a battle of two of the NFC’s current playoff teams.
Matthew Stafford and the Rams’ red-hot offense jumped to a 21-0 lead early on after a unique Cobie Durant pick-six on Baker Mayfield. Tampa Bay never recovered.
Mayfield also couldn’t finish the game after halftime, coming out in an arm sling with a shoulder injury. Teddy Bridgewater deputized, but the QB play would be no different.
The Rams moved to 9-2 with the win, further boosting their chance at the No. 1 seed after the Dallas Cowboys stunned the now 8-3 Philadelphia Eagles earlier in the day. Tampa Bay, however, dropped to 6-5. The Bucs will stay in first place in the NFC South, but things could change if the fellow 6-5 Carolina Panthers win at the 7-4 San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.
Let’s dive into the Rams’ win over the Buccaneers further with winners and losers:

Matthew Stafford is in MVP territory

There shouldn’t be anyone else leading the MVP conversations other than Stafford. The 37-year-old is playing his best football yet, dominating once again with 273 passing yards on 25 of 35 completions, three touchdowns and no picks.
The No. 1 overall pick in 2009, Stafford now has 30 total passing touchdowns on the season to just two picks. Los Angeles has fared more than well from a tough schedule — including arguably the best division — as Stafford has remained consistent, sharp and excellent statistically week in and week out.
Will he be able to win his second Super Bowl? That depends, but you’re watching some of the best the NFL has to offer when he’s in a flow state.

Baker Mayfield’s rough patch continues

Ever since Mayfield generated some MVP buzz after a 5-1 start, Tampa Bay’s QB1 hasn’t been the same. Since losing to the Detroit Lions 24-9 five weeks ago, Mayfield has thrown just six touchdowns to four picks — including a 1-4 record.
Tampa Bay lost to the Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills and Rams in that stretch, continuing Mayfield’s trend of being unable to beat superior or equal teams at a decent rate.
He may have left tonight’s game early with an injury, but the hopes of a comeback were far too low — 9 of 19, 41 yards, one touchdown and two picks.

Can Tampa Bay avoid slipping in NFC South?

The Bucs had clear advantage of winning their division once again before this three-game skid. Now with Mayfield hurt, things get a little dicey. The Panthers are also 6-5, but have a tougher schedule with the 49ers, Rams and Seattle Seahawks on deck.
Tampa Bay has Arizona, New Orleans and Miami, but both teams still also have to face each other twice in the final three weeks. Carolina will host the first matchup before it flips to Tampa for the regular-season finale.
If Carolina falls to San Francisco, it may provide a better indicator to its potential of stealing the division. But if Bryce Young leads a road upset and Tampa Bay has to rely upon Bridgewater, the race will get much more intriguing given the quality of teams in the hunt.
Here are five things to know about Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Conclusion

The Los Angeles Rams’ win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football has significant implications for the NFC playoff picture. With the Rams moving to 9-2 and the Buccaneers dropping to 6-5, the race for the No. 1 seed in the NFC is heating up. The Buccaneers’ loss also raises concerns about their ability to hold onto their lead in the NFC South, with the Carolina Panthers lurking at 6-5.

FAQs

• Q: What was the final score of the game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
  A: The Los Angeles Rams won 34-7.
• Q: Who was the leading quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams?
  A: Matthew Stafford.
• Q: What is the current record of the Los Angeles Rams?
  A: The Los Angeles Rams are 9-2.
• Q: What is the current record of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
  A: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 6-5.
• Q: Who will the Tampa Bay Buccaneers face next?
  A: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face Arizona, New Orleans, and Miami in their upcoming games.
• Q: Who will the Carolina Panthers face next?
  A: The Carolina Panthers will face the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, and Seattle Seahawks in their upcoming games.