Well, it was a good run! The Buccaneers had one of their best seasons in franchise history this past year, but on Sunday it was unfortunately cut short by a last-second field goal by Rams kicker Matt Gay. With four seconds left on the clock, Gay put it through the uprights, sealing the Bucs fate, and securing his team a spot in the NFC Championship.
I do have to say that this outcome completely surprised me. In the fourth quarter, and up until the very last 30 seconds of the game, it looked as if Tom Brady was staging another incredible comeback to add to his career’s arsenal. However, that wouldn’t be the case. Leonard Fournette would end up tying the game at 27 apiece with only one minute remaining on the clock, but that is all the time Matthew Stafford needed to push the ball upfield and secure good field positioning for his kicker.
For the majority of the game, it looked as if the Rams were doing everything in their power to give up the quick lead they had established in the first half, and lose this game entirely. I mean, they were up 27-13, severely outplaying Brady and the Buccaneers, and then it just stopped. I was dumbfounded, but at the same time hoping that the Bucs would go ahead and take advantage of this golden opportunity.
What the Rams did plenty of on Sunday was get to Tom Brady. The Rams were able to sack Brady three times, and were able to hit him five times! This defensive pressure was key in getting Brady to force some throws. Although he would be heavily pressured throughout the game, Brady still was able to complete 30 passes on 54 attempts. He would end up finishing the game with a total of 329 passing yards and a single touchdown.
This game also served as the second time Matthew Stafford has bested Brady this season. Stafford was, for a long time while in Detroit, a superstar QB who lacked resources (wide-receivers). Now in L.A, and surrounded by a buffet of wide-receivers to choose from, Stafford is having the time of his life, and it is showing in his on-field play.
Stafford was actually born in Tampa Bay, so I guess things came full circle for him on Sunday. He would end up finishing the game with 366 passing yards, two touchdowns, and has completed 28 of his 38 passing attempts; not too shabby!
As stated earlier, with the win the Rams have a date with the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship. It’s a surprise San Francisco has even got this far, so if I was a betting man, my money would be on the Rams to take that one. As a Giants fan, it would feel great to see Odell Beckham Jr win a ring with the Rams.
To all the Buccaneers fans out there; keep your head up, the team played great, it’s just the universe had other plans at the moment. “Til next time!