Rams vs. Buccaneers: Winners and Losers in Week 3

Round II: Winners and losers

Winners: Matthew Stafford to DeSean Jackson

It only needed less than one minute for Matthew Stafford to find DeSean Jackson for a coast-to-coast 75-yard touchdown pass in Week 3. Yes, the two scored once, but they could have scored three times. Surprised? Well, the entire NFL knew it was coming as soon as the LA Rams traded for quarterback Matthew Stafford and then signed veteran free agent DeSean Jackson.

And the only way to stop it seems to be hitting Stafford before he can make that throw.

A 75-yard touchdown throw is not commonplace folks. It’s a rare event in the NFL, even with so many rules changes that give the passing game a far more advantageous situation than in years past.  And yes, defenses will adapt. They will run a cornerback and safety to double-cover Desean Jackson going forward. And that is exactly what the Rams want.

Losers: Injuries

The LA Rams learned after the game that surprise sensation starting outside linebacker suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Week 3 and requires surgery. That means that another young and very productive starter will go on the shelf for the LA Rams, this time estimated for as much as ten weeks.

That means that the Rams will assign Hollins to Injured Reserve, likely activate Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, and try to ‘make do’ this week against the undefeated Arizona Cardinals with a rotation that will include Leonard Floyd, Terrell Lewis, Chris Garrett, and Obo in some order and frequency.

Injuries are the one opponent that this LA Rams team will eventually succumb to. So far, the only season-ender of a starter has been the injury to running back Cam Akers. But season-ending injuries to teammates Raymond Calais (foot) and Xavier Jones (Achilles) derailed their NFL careers before they ever began. Now, after decimating the running backs on the roster, the injury bug is taking aim at the outside linebackers.

Ultimately, the Rams traded for running back Sony Michel to help the Rams out of a roster squeeze. They may need to act now to reinforce their outside linebacker depth while they still can do so and get positive results.