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About the Author: Trevor Sikkema

Avatar Of Trevor Sikkema
Trevor Sikkema is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat reporter and NFL Draft analyst for PewterReport.com. Sikkema, an alumnus of the University of Florida, has covered both college and professional football for much of his career. As a native of the Sunshine State, when he's not buried in social media, Sikkema can be found out and active, attempting to be the best athlete he never was. Sikkema can be reached at: [email protected]

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It’s was a beautiful day for football in Los Angeles, California as the Bucs traveled west to face the reigning NFC Champion Rams. Bucs starters Ryan Jensen and Chris Godwin were listed as questionable all week, but just hours before the game it was confirmed that they would be a-go — and the Bucs would certainly need them.

Tampa Bay received the opening kickoff, and after the Rams kicked the ball out of bounds, the Bucs started their first drive from the 40-yard line. On a drive that contained a good mix of both run and pass, Winston led the Buccaneers the full 60 yards in just eight plays for a touchdown to open the scoring at 7-0.

Rams quarterback Jared Goff and the Los Angeles offense were able to get some of their passing game going early, but ultimately stalled at midfield and were forced to punt. On the Bucs following drive, they controlled the clock and moved up the field slowly, but in the end they, too, had to just punt it away.

Goff and the Rams offense got back to work, and a quick connection to wide receiver Brandin Cooks got them within scoring range. But, as he has many time this year already, Bucs safety Jordan Whitehead came up big with an interception to stop the drive cold. In response, Winston hooked up with wide receiver Chris Godwin twice on the following drive, with Godwin’s second catch coming in the end zone to extend the lead to 14-0.

Three plays later the Bucs defense would come up big again, as linebacker Lavonte David would scoot right in front of a Goff pass for another interception. On the very next play, Winston connected with Godwin again for the duo’s second score of the day to bring the score to 21-0 Tampa Bay.

On their following drive, the Rams offense woke up. After starting at their own 25-yard line, they took the ball down the field 75 yards in eight plays to end their shutout via a 13-yard Todd Gurley rushing touchdown. After a quick three-and-out from Tampa Bay, the Rams would go 50 yards in just four plays to get another quick score to bring Tampa’s lead down to just seven at 21-14.

But the Bucs didn’t back down after their lead dwindled. Instead they stepped up their game. With a heavy dose of Godwin in the passing game, Tampa took the ball down the field 75 yards in 11 plays to get into the end zone for the fourth time in the first half. This brought the score to 28-17.

The Rams got the ball with just 47 second left in the first half, but that was enough for them to get in field goal range for their kicker Greg Zuerlein. After hitting a 58-yard field goal, the game would go to the half 28-17 in favor of Tampa Bay.

The Rams received the second half kickoff, and though they ran 14 plays, they were only able to drive the ball 49 yards. However, that was enough to get into field goal range. That brought the score to 28-20. The Bucs would match the Rams’ three points with three points of their own on their next drive, thanks to a big 58-yard field goal from kicker Matt Gay.

On the Rams ensuing possession, they moved the ball into Buccaneer territory, but were faced with a tough fourth down situation just beyond midfield. They opted to go for it, but thanks to pressure up the middle from linebacker Kevin Minter, the pass was tipped and intercepted by linebacker Shaq Barrett. Following the interception, the Bucs went down the field 53 yards in six plays, the sixth being a touchdown catch to tight end Cameron Brate. The Bucs then led 38-20.

The Rams were down but they weren’t out. After going down 18 entering the fourth quarter, they drove the ball 75 yards in eight plays once again to find the end zone, once again on the feet of Gurley. This brought the score to 38-27. But just as they had done all day, when they got hit, the Bucs hit back. Two plays later, wide receiver Mike Evans was taking a 67-yard pass to the house for a touchdown, extending the lead to 45-27.

After the Bucs big score, the Rams kept on pace and took the ball down the field 75 yards, once again in eight plays. After a 29-yard touchdown toss to wide receiver Cooper Kupp, the score went to 45-34. On the Bucs next drive, Winston threw an errant pass right to Rams cornerback Marcus Peters, who took it back for a touchdown. After a failed two-point conversion, the Bucs lead was just five at 45-40.

In response, the Bucs took the ball down the field 72 yards in 11 plays. The drive ended in a field goal to bring the score to 48-40, but most importantly burned about six minutes of game time off the clock.

The Rams got the ball back with three minutes to go and down eight points. After a few quick completions, they were at midfield when the clock hit the two minute warning. But, just as the Bucs needed a hero, their hero Shaq Barrett delivered with a strip sack that was picked up by Ndamukong Suh who took it back for the touchdown. That brought the score to 55-40.

And that’s how it would end – in a Buccaneer victory.

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