What we learned from Rams’ 37-32 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

What we learned from the Rams’ 37-32 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Rams know how to deal with weather delays

For the second time in three years, the Rams won a close game at Raymond James Stadium after sitting through a weather delay.

Sunday’s 70-minute delay eclipsed the 51-minute first-half wait they endured in 2014 during a 19-17 victory.

The delay because of lightning in the 37-32 win on Sunday came at a more critical juncture.

The Rams had a third down at their five-yard line with two minutes left. They did not convert, but they hung on for the victory thanks to defensive end Robert Quinn.

Case Keenum can lead touchdown drives

The Rams’ quarterback came into the game 0-for-eight quarters, the team’s only points coming on Greg Zuerlein field goals.

Keenum connected on touchdown pass plays of 44 yards to Brian Quick and 43 yards to Tavon Austin. He also led a nine-play, 75-yard drive and a seven-play, 22-yard drive, both culminating with short touchdown runs by running back Todd Gurley.

Kwon Alexander returned an interception for a touchdown in the first quarter, but Keenum remained poised and did not commit another turnover.

Tavon Austin needs to exercise better judgment

The Buccaneers pulled to within five points with slightly more than two minutes left.

Instead of letting the ensuing kick-off bounce through the end zone, which would have given the Rams the ball at the 25-yard line, Austin caught it at the one and the Buccaneers tackled him at the six.

Gurley rushed for three yards, but Keenum tripped and lost four. That put the Rams in a third-and-11 situation at the five.

Punter Johnny Hekker eventually helped erase Austin’s error by booming a 64-yard punt that forced Tampa Bay to start its final drive at its 44.

The defensive line has depth

End William Hayes left the game briefly because of an ankle injury, tackle Michael Brockers sat out a few series and end Eugene Sims was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct.

But Ethan Westbrooks came up big with a 77-yard fumble return for a touchdown. And tackles Cam Thomas and Dominique Easley contributed.

End Robert Quinn, who forced Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson to fumble in Week 2, forced Jameis Winston to do the same, giving Westbrooks his scoring opportunity.

Quinn also ran down Winston as time expired to preserve the victory.

Tackle Aaron Donald deflected two passes.

Punter Johnny Hekker is among the Rams’ most valuable players

Hekker averaged 51.2 yards for his five kicks and put two inside the 20.

He forced the Buccaneers to start one possession at the eight-yard line. Tampa Bay went three and out and the Rams came back with a drive that Zuerlein finished with a field goal.

He put another kick at the 18. The Rams subsequently intercepted a pass, setting up another scoring drive.

Hekker has put 12 of his 21 kicks inside the 20.

Cornerback remains a concern

Winston passed for 405 yards and Mike Evans and Adam Humphries each had 100 yards or more receiving yards.

Trumaine Johnson had some problems, but he also made a big play, knocking a pass out of running back Charles Sims’ hands and into the arms of linebacker Mark Barron for an interception.

Johnson is not the issue.

With Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald and company coming up next at Arizona, the Rams need cornerback E.J. Gaines to return from injury.