 |
| Davis was the hero for the Rams. Photo Credit: Jeff Curry/ USA Today |
With Sam Bradford and Shaun Hill down from injuries, 3rd quarterback Austin Davis kept calm and led the Rams to their first road victory of the year.
Undrafted rookie out of Southern Mississippi was very poised in his first career start ever. In his third year in the league Davis has been nothing more than a 3rd option and was even not in the league at one point last year but he found his way back to St. Louis and was able to pull off a win in his first start.
Davis threw for 235 yards and completed 22 out of 29 passes for a 99.1 quarterback rating. Receiver Brian Quick led the way with seven catches and 75 yards receiving. Zac Stacy added 71 yards rushing and the only Rams touchdown. On the Rams last drive, they were down 16-17 to the Bucs but they were able to get in field position for the game-winning field goal thanks to a 27 yard catch from Austin Pettis.
Aside from a great rushing attack from Tampa Bay the Rams were able to remain strong in the passing game keeping the Bucs to less than 200 yards. Earlier in the week Greg Williams referred to the tall Tampa receivers as basketball forwards as the receivers stand well about 6'0.
The game was close the whole time as the only two Bucs touchdowns came on quarterback sneaks from quarterback Josh McCown on the goal line. Bucs had 38 seconds to drive the ball down the field for a game-winning field goal but it was ten seconds when rookie receiver Mike Evans was hurt as a result they were charged with 10 second run off and the game was over.
St. Louis had outstanding special teams play as safety T.J McDonald blocked a field goal and a punt. That performance might have earned him special team player of the week in the NFL. The Rams next test will come at home next week against Dallas. Both teams are 1-1.Follow me on Twitter: @_MarshallLAW
