Cameron DaSilva, Rams WireMon, November 24, 2025 at 4:50 AM UTC·4 min readOn the big stage of Sunday Night Football, the Los Angeles Rams showed everyone just how good they are. They dominated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a 34-7 victory, putting on a show offensively in the first half, while simultaneously clamping down on defense by allowing just 193 yards.
There were some things to clean up in the second half, including a drop by Davante Adams and some bad penalties that negated a sack and chunk plays, the Rams looked like an unstoppable group in prime time. With the unofficial title of being the best team in the NFL entering this week, they further cemented their outlook as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHere are five takeaways from Sunday's win at SoFi Stadium, the Rams' sixth straight win this season.
Matthew Stafford is the NFL MVP
Though there are still six weeks left, there should be no debate about Stafford being the MVP favorite right now. Drake Maye is having a great season but Stafford is playing the best football of any quarterback in the NFL. We’ll see if he keeps that up through the rest of the regular season but at this moment, he’s the league’s most valuable player.
Even after the Rams took their foot off the gas a bit, Stafford put together a great game with 273 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He’s now thrown 27 straight touchdown passes without a pick, setting an NFL record.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe’s capable of picking apart any defense in football.
Secondary has become a strength
Even without Quentin Lake, the Rams’ secondary locked down the Buccaneers. Emmanuel Forbes Jr. broke up five passes, Cobie Durant knocked away a touchdown pass and scored his own touchdown on a pick-six in the first quarter and just about every player in the secondary is a sure tackler in the open field.
With Lake and Ahkello Witherspoon both expected to return at some point this season, the Rams’ secondary is only going to get better as the year goes on. Even right now, Emmanuel Forbes Jr. and Durant both look like No. 1 cornerbacks, with Darious Williams also playing well.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPass rush is unrelenting
Whether it was Baker Mayfield or Teddy Bridgewater dropping back, neither quarterback had a chance against the Rams’ pass rush. Kobie Turner and Jared Verse each had two sacks, accounting for Los Angeles’ total on a night where it felt like there could’ve been 10 sacks. The Rams also landed six total hits on the quarterback despite Tampa Bay getting the ball out quickly to avoid pressure.
The Rams’ defensive front is swarming and suffocating, making life difficult for every quarterback they face. They can attack offenses from all angles, too, given the depth of their defensive front. It’s a Super Bowl-caliber pass rush.
Harrison Mevis has won the kicking job
The Rams signed Mevis to the 53-man roster this week, giving them two kickers on the active roster. They should probably cut it down to only one after Sunday’s win. Mevis made four extra points and his first two field goal attempts in the NFL from 40 and 52 yards, all but locking up the kicking job in Los Angeles.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Rams should feel OK cutting Joshua Karty and trying to get him back on the practice squad because Mevis has been much more accurate and reliable thus far. Sean McVay has talked about still feeling confident in Karty as a player but this might be the time to free up a roster spot and cut the former sixth-round pick with hopes that he clears waivers.
The Rams are the best team in the league
A lot of people believed this statement coming into Sunday’s game, but the Rams should almost unanimously be viewed as the No. 1 team in football after this win. The defense allowed just seven points and the offense scored three touchdowns in the first half alone, moving the ball at will on each of their first four possessions.
Stafford is on another level right now, Davante Adams is unstoppable in the red zone and Puka Nacua still can’t be covered no matter where he lines up; he quietly had seven catches for 97 yards on 11 targets.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Rams could’ve won this game by even more if they didn’t let up in the second quarter, understandably playing it safe after building a huge lead. Even with a 27-point win, the Rams have made it clear they are the class of the NFL.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams vs. Buccaneers: 5 takeaways from LA's impressive Week 12 win
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