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Los Angeles Rams: Matthew Stafford leads 6 standouts from statement win over Buccaneers

By Cody Williams

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates a third quarter touchdown throw by Matthew Stafford #9 in the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at SoFi Stadium on September 26, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates a third quarter touchdown throw by Matthew Stafford #9 in the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at SoFi Stadium on September 26, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams, Matthew Stafford. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

The Los Angeles Rams didn’t just beat the Buccaneers — they made a huge statement in a dominant victory. These were the standouts for LA in Week 3. 

With both teams coming into their NFL Week 3 showdown unbeaten at 2-0 and with preseason expectations of contending for a Super Bowl, all eyes were on the Los Angeles Rams playing host to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. For the Rams, it was about making a statement that they belonged in that conversation. On the flip side, the Bucs were just looking to keep taking care of business.

In the end, SoFi Stadium was the setting of its tenants making a statement that should reverberate throughout the league. The Rams didn’t just beat the defending Super Bowl champions; they took them to the woodshed in a 34-24 victory that affirms every optimistic outlook for Los Angeles in the 2021 NFL season (and wasn’t as close as the final score makes it seem).

On both sides of the ball, it was hard not to be impressed by the Rams. But if we’re narrowing it down, these six players were the stars for their team in the huge early-season victory in Week 3.

The biggest Los Angeles Rams stars on offense and defense played like it against the Buccaneers

1. Matthew Stafford, QB – Though there had certainly been moments from Matthew Stafford over the first two weeks of the season, it still felt as if there was more in the tank for the new quarterback in Sean McVay’s offense. And we got a better glimpse of that, even if it meant picking apart one of the best defenses in the league.

Stafford was lights-out all day as he went 27-of-38 for 343 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions or turnovers. The former Lions quarterback was attacking all levels of the field and just dicing up the Bucs at will. IIf this is only his third game in this offense, the rest of the NFL better be on high alert.

2. Aaron Donald, DL – On the other side of the ball, Aaron Donald does what Aaron Donald tends to do: Wreck football games. Even matched up against a strong, veteran interior offensive line for the Bucs, the superstar defensive tackle consistently made plays to disrupt the Tampa Bay offense.

Donald finished the day with one sack, one pass defense and one tackle for loss to his credit but event that doesn’t do his whole effort justice. Sure, Tom Brady threw for over 400 yards on the day but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a tough day for the GOAT and Donald played a huge part in making that happen.

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