Somehow, Rams are tied for first in NFC West

TAMPA, Fla. - Somehow, some way, the Los Angeles Rams are 2-1.

Their schedule early in the season is a nightmare, their offense remains a work in progress, and their secondary needs work. But the Rams recovered from a loss opening humiliating season for the lowly 49ers in San Francisco, with wins back-to-back, first against the Seattle Seahawks and menacing on Sunday on the road against Buccaneers upstart Tampa Bay.

"We changed our mentality the first game," Rams defensive tackle Michael Brockers said. "The first game was not us."

They are now tied with the Seahawks for first place in the NFC West, while holding the tiebreaker.

Think about it a little.


Their shift remains subpar game, their offensive line has struggled to open holes for star running back, and their secondary seems undermanned. But the Rams have found ways to overcome. Last week, in their opening game highly anticipated before more than 91,000 fans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, was the defensive line has resumed.

On Sunday, he was the veteran defensive end Rams Robert Quinn, who delivered the larger rooms.

With LA leading by four and the Bucs to the line 13 yards Rams early in the fourth quarter, Quinn - limited to eight games because of back problems last season - came around the edge and stripped the ball Jameis Winston . defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks backup picked up and ran untouched to the line key to extending the lead the Rams to 11.

"I am quite done after that," Westbrooks 6 feet 4 and 267 pounds, said to run 77 yards on a full sprint. "My coaches were [asking] why I did not celebrate. I had honestly no energy to celebrate. "

Quinn struck again late. The Bucs got the ball at their own 45 yard line shortly after the two-minute warning, and Winston quickly marched into the red zone. At the 15-yard line the Rams with four seconds left, the secondary did a great job of providing coverage. Winston had nowhere to throw, thought to run, and Quinn came from behind to make a game-ending attack.

"I thought he was going to take to run for a touchdown, but I saw him pull up in search of the end zone," said Quinn Winston. "I just gave every last bit of effort I had to try to do."


The Rams took a few breaks, especially a missed extra point and a missed field goal by rookie kicker Roberto Aguayo and a pass fell Vincent Jackson in the 10-yard line the Rams on the final drive.

But Gurley has shown signs he can come alive.

The second-year running back Rams struggled to find holes for most of the game, but finally got to go on a scoring drive late that saw him rush for 38 yards on six carries. The last was a touchdown on a 1-yard run. The memorable was a brilliant 16-yard run on which he remained somehow on his feet.

The Rams are far from perfect, but their record says they are at least above average - and they believe they are rising trend.

"I think we're in a good place," said the fourth Case Keenum, who went 14-of-26 for 190 yards, two touchdowns and one interception that was returned for a touchdown. "I think we we are improving each week, which is what you want to do. "