Rams report card: Grading every position in playoff win vs. Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t go quietly on Sunday after the Los Angeles Rams grabbed a 27-3 second-half lead. They battled all the way back and tied things up at 27, only for Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and Matt Gay to grab the victory in the final seconds on the Rams’ game-winning drive.

As alarming and shocking as the blown lead was, most position groups received positive grades for their performance against the Bucs. Stafford was especially good in this one, as was Von Miller on the edge.

Here’s our report card from the divisional round of the playoffs.

Quarterback: A-

After taking a backseat to the running game in the wild-card round, Stafford was arguably the biggest reason the Rams beat the Bucs on Sunday. He completed 28 of 38 passes for 366 yards and two touchdowns, also rushing for one score on a QB sneak. He didn’t commit a single turnover and only threw one near-interception in the end zone, playing another clean game in the playoffs. His 44-yard dime to Kupp at the end of the game may have been a play to save the Rams’ season.

Running back: F

Cam Akers and Sony Michell were both highly effective against the Cardinals last week, but neither of them did much to impact the game positively on Sunday. Akers carried it 24 times for 48 yards and fumbled it twice, both at critical points in the game. He did catch three passes for 20 yards, but the fumbles were costlier than any of those plays.

Michel only touched the ball three times and had zero net yards, getting very few opportunities behind Akers. Both of them will need to be better against the 49ers because an effective running game helps slow down the pass rush.

Wide receiver: A

This was a big game for the Rams’ wide receivers, specifically Kupp. He caught nine passes for 183 yards and a touchdown, including the 44-yarder to set up Gay’s game-winning field goal. Odell Beckham Jr. caught six passes for 69 yards, including a 20-yarder on first-and-20 to move the chains. Van Jefferson had 29 yards receiving and 15 yards on the ground, contributing with three plays of 10-plus yards on his only three touches.

Tight end: B+

Sunday was a rare instance where multiple tight ends made meaningful plays for the Rams. Tyler Higbee caught four passes for 51 yards, including a 29-yarder down the seam to set up the Rams’ opening field goal. On the next drive, Kendall Blanton scored his first NFL touchdown, one of two catches he made in the game for a total of 18 yards. Higbee was once again rock solid as a blocker, too, making this a well-rounded performance by the tight end.

Offensive line: B

The Bucs pressured Stafford 18 times and sacked him twice, which shows that this wasn’t a perfect performance by the offensive line – certainly not as dominant as last week’s game against the Cardinals. There wasn’t much room to run for Akers and Michel, either, making this just an average game by the Rams’ big men up front.

It wasn’t all bad, as Joe Noteboom and Rob Havenstein were fantastic at the tackle spots. Austin Corbett and David Edwards struggled and must be better against San Francisco.

Defensive line: A

Aaron Donald and Greg Gaines were both studs on the interior, as was A’Shawn Robinson. Donald had eight pressures and three stops, along with three QB hits and two tackles for a loss. Gaines only made two tackles but once again, he clogged up the middle and gave the Buccaneers very little room to run. The defensive line has been a strength for the Rams all season thanks to the ascension of Gaines.

Inside linebacker: B

Travin Howard wasn’t the primary linebacker, but he was all over the field. He made six tackles and allowed just 8 yards on four targets in coverage, maintaining a high level of play since stepping in for Ernest Jones. Troy Reeder made three tackles and did miss one attempt, which came on Leonard Fournette’s late touchdown run on fourth down. Reeder had a chance to stop Fournette in the backfield but whiffed, which could’ve cost the Rams.

Outside linebacker: A

Miller played his best game yet as a member of the Rams, recording a season-high 10 pressures and sacking Tom Brady once. He was all over the quarterback, either hurrying the pass or getting to him for a strip-sack like he did in the second half. Leonard Floyd wasn’t as effective but he still had four tackles and a sack. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo broke up one pass and hit Brady once despite only playing 17 snaps, recording four pressures.

Cornerback: C

It was a rough day for Darious Williams, who was targeted 14 times and gave up nine catches for 135 yards. Jalen Ramsey was targeted a season-high 11 times and even though he only gave up six catches, those receptions went for a total of 104 yards – 16 more than he allowed in any other game this season. David Long Jr. was a surprising bright spot in the secondary as the nickel corner, playing well in extended action.

Safety: A

Nick Scott has helped fill in for Jordan Fuller and Taylor Rapp, turning in the best performance of his career on Sunday. He broke up one pass and picked off another, making five tackles and allowing zero receptions in coverage. Eric Weddle played well, too, while Terrell Burgess made two tackles in just 14 snaps. There was nothing to complain about from the Rams’ safety group.

Special teams: B

It was an odd day on special teams. Johnny Hekker hit two excellent punts, but only one was downed inside the 20 because Ben Skowronek misplayed the first one and allowed it to go into the end zone.

Gay drilled the game-winning field goal, but he also left a 47-yarder short, missing an opportunity to put the Rams up by 17 points late in the fourth quarter.

Brandon Powell was once again a playmaker, returning one punt 33 yards to give the Rams great field position.

There was a mix of good and bad, but it was mostly positive from this group again.

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