Cooper Kupp made plays all game long on Sunday, especially in crunch time. It was a big play late in which Rams QB Matt Stafford found Kupp that set up the game winning field goal. That play put the Rams over the top, holding off what would have been a comeback for the ages by Tampa. Rams Kicker Matt Gay hit a 30 yarder as time expired to propel the Rams to a 30-27 road win.
The Rams controlled most of the game on Sunday. L.A. got out to a hot start and 10-3 after the first and 20-3 at the half. Tom Brady and Tampa were down but not out. The Rams struck 1st in the 2nd half to lead 27-3 in the 3rd. Tampa Bay would rally to score 10 in the 3rd and trail 27-13 at the end of the 3rd.
In the 4th, Brady would find Mike Evans for a 55 yard TD strike to cut the lead to 7, at 27-20. The Buccaneers would get a defensive stop and Brady would lead a late scoring drive. Bucs RB Leonard Fournette scored on a 9 yard run to tie the game with 42 seconds left. The Rams then would get the ball back and Cooper Kupp would get open down the seam. Stafford found Kupp and that set the Rams up in Tampa territory. That set the stage for Matt Gay's field goal as time expired. The Rams went in to Tampa and knocked off the defending World Champs and the QB many consider to be the "GOAT".
The Rams were plagued by turnovers, coughing it up 4 times and they were -2 in turnover margin fore the game. The Rams owned an advantage in almost every offensive category, including an over 8 minute advantage in time of possession. The Rams are back in the NFC Title game for the 1st time since the franchise was located in St. Louis and QB Kurt Warner was at the helm of the offense. The Rams will host the 49ers, in an all-California battle for a chance to go to the Super Bowl.
