The Los Angeles Rams didn’t just beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football — they dismantled them. On November 23, 2025, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, the Rams rolled to a 34-7 victory, their sixth win in a row, and sent a message to the entire NFC: they’re not just contenders. They’re the team to beat.
A Statement Made in the First Half
It wasn’t a slow build. It was a sledgehammer to the jaw. The Rams scored touchdowns on their first two possessions — a 1-yard reception by Davante Adams, his 1,002nd career catch, and a 28-yard interception return by linebacker Travis Feeney. By halftime, Los Angeles led 24-0. The Buccaneers, who entered the game with playoff hopes still flickering, looked shell-shocked. Quarterback Baker Mayfield, 29, was sacked three times, threw two picks, and looked every bit the quarterback out of sync. Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford, 37, calmly picked apart Tampa’s secondary, completing 23 of 29 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns. No fireworks. Just efficiency. The kind that wins championships.
Adams Hits a Milestone — and So Do the Rams
For Davante Adams, the 1-yard score wasn’t just another touchdown. It was a milestone. The 32-year-old wideout, who began his career with the Green Bay Packers in 2014, now has more career receptions than any active receiver not named Jerry Rice or Tony Gonzalez. He’s played for three teams, survived two ACL tears, and still runs routes like he’s got springs in his cleats. On Sunday, he did it again — catching the ball in traffic, holding on, and touching the pylon. The crowd rose. The Rams bench erupted. And the NFL took notice.
That play wasn’t an outlier. The Rams’ offense, once criticized for being too reliant on Adams and Puka Nacua, spread the ball around. Rookie Emeka Egbuka caught six passes for 78 yards. Running back Skyler Bell added 82 rushing yards and a score. Even the special teams got in on the act — a 47-yard punt return by Deebo Samuel set up a field goal. This wasn’t a one-man show. It was a symphony.
The Buccaneers’ Collapse — And What It Means
For the Buccaneers, it was a nightmare. A 5-6 record now puts them in a three-way tie for last place in the NFC South. With games against the Falcons, Saints, and Panthers still ahead, their playoff path is a minefield. Head coach Lovie Smith called it “a wake-up call we didn’t need,” but admitted, “We didn’t match their energy. Not even close.”
Their defense, once feared for its pass rush led by Shaquil Barrett, was invisible. The Rams averaged 7.3 yards per play. Tampa’s offense managed just 197 total yards. And when Mayfield finally threw a touchdown pass — a 3-yard dart to Mike Evans in the fourth quarter — it felt like a consolation prize. The Rams had already won the game by then. The fans had already started leaving.
Why This Matters Beyond the Scoreboard
The Rams’ win pushes them to 9-2, a full two games ahead of the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West. They’re not just leading their division — they’re leading the entire NFC. According to ESPN’s playoff probability model, Los Angeles now has a 78% chance of securing a first-round bye. That’s the highest in the conference.
And it’s not just about wins. It’s about momentum. Since Week 6, when they beat the Seattle Seahawks 27-24 in overtime, the Rams have outscored opponents by an average of 18.5 points per game. They’ve held four straight opponents under 17 points. Their defense is the league’s third-best in red-zone efficiency. And their offense? It’s clicking at the right time — just as the weather turns colder and the schedule tightens.
Compare that to Tampa. The Buccaneers haven’t won a road game since September. They’ve lost three of their last four. Their offensive line has given up 19 sacks in the last five weeks. And now, with quarterback Baker Mayfield under fire and the Glazer family watching closely, the pressure is mounting. A 5-6 record isn’t a death sentence — but it’s a ticking clock.
What’s Next?
The Rams head to Arizona next Sunday, then host the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 14 — a potential NFC Championship preview. The Buccaneers? They face the New Orleans Saints on the road, then the Atlanta Falcons at home. Two winnable games — but they’re no longer easy. A loss to the Saints, and their playoff hopes become a long shot.
Meanwhile, the Rams are playing like a team that knows something the rest of the league doesn’t: they’re not just good. They’re dangerous. And with Matthew Stafford still playing at an elite level, and Davante Adams rewriting the record books, they’re building something special.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this win affect the Rams’ playoff chances?
The Rams’ 9-2 record and six-game winning streak give them a 78% chance of earning a first-round bye in the NFC playoffs, per ESPN’s model. They’re now the top seed in the conference, ahead of the 49ers and Eagles. A win in Week 14 against Kansas City could lock in home-field advantage through the NFC playoffs.
What’s the significance of Davante Adams’ 1,002nd career catch?
Adams is the 11th player in NFL history to reach 1,000 career receptions, and the first since Randy Moss to do so after turning 30. He’s now tied with Marvin Harrison for 10th all-time. His consistency — 1,002 catches in 12 seasons — is a testament to his route-running precision and durability, especially after two ACL surgeries.
Why did the Buccaneers’ defense collapse so badly?
Tampa’s defensive line was missing key contributors: edge rusher Shaquil Barrett was inactive with a hamstring injury, and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. left early with a concussion. Without pressure on Stafford, the Rams’ offense operated with surgical precision. The secondary also struggled with coverage on short routes, allowing Adams and Nacua to dominate the middle of the field.
Is Matthew Stafford still elite at 37?
Absolutely. Stafford is averaging 8.1 yards per attempt this season — his best since 2021. He’s thrown just three interceptions in 11 games. His decision-making under pressure has improved, and he’s now the oldest QB in the league with a passer rating over 100. He’s not just playing well — he’s playing like a future Hall of Famer in his prime.
How does this loss impact the Buccaneers’ future?
With a 5-6 record, Tampa Bay must win at least four of their final five games to make the playoffs — and they face three division rivals. Quarterback Baker Mayfield’s contract expires after 2026, and with the Glazer family reportedly evaluating roster changes, this could be his last season as the starter. A playoff miss might trigger a rebuild.
Where do the Rams stand historically this season?
The Rams’ six-game winning streak is their longest since 2018, when they went on to win Super Bowl LIII. They’re the first team since the 2020 Packers to win six straight games after starting 3-4. With their defense ranking in the top five and their offense scoring 30+ points in four straight games, they’re on pace to finish with 11+ wins — their best record since 2018.
