Rams handle Buccaneers, Stafford eyes his first MVP

LOS ANGELES —The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 34 to 7 Sunday night.

The Rams are red hot this season with a record of 9-2, boosting the 2nd best record in the NFL.

Matthew Stafford continues to make an MVP case with 30 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions on the season.

Stafford has never won the award, finishing only as high as 8th in MVP voting the year he won the Superbowl. 

Stafford, 37, could join Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Rich Gannon as the only MVP’s to be the age of 37 and older. An MVP will add to Stafford’s long career, as he’s ninth in passing yards all time. 

The MVP isn’t a sure lock yet, as Drake Maye is leading the New England Patriots to the best record this season.

The Patriots defeated the Bengals 26 to 20, as Maye had 94 passing yards, a pick and a touchdown. The Patriots have won nine straight behind the second-year player and almost a lock to win the AFC East divisional title. 

Maye is leading the NFL in passing yards with 3,130 along with 21 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Maye is only in the second year of his career. 

Quarterback Baker Mayfield suffered an injury in the first quarter to his non-throwing shoulder from a hit from the Ram’s smothering defense.

Baker would hurt this shoulder even further during a Hail Mary attempt in the 2nd quarter. He would miss the rest of the second half.

Mayfield threw a touchdown pass with two interceptions in the first half of Sunday’s game before his exit. 

In Mayfield’s absence, Teddy Bridgewater completed eight of his fifteen passes for 62 yards.  

According to CBS Sports, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Mayfield will be re-evaluated on Monday and the MRI will show the severity of his injury.

The Buccaneers started the first 8 games 6-2, with Mayfield in the MVP race.

The Buccaneers are 6-5 and tied with the Carolina Panthers for supremacy of the NFC South. If Mayfield does not return, the Buccaneers will have to lean on backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater for their playoff hopes.

The Buccaneers are aiming for their 6th straight NFC South divisional title, starting when Tom Brady was their QB. 

Bridgewater hasn’t started an NFL game since Week 17 of 2022 when he played for the Miami Dolphins.

Bridgewater has been a career journeyman, playing for the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, and Detroit Lions before Tampa Bay. 

Bridgewater was selected 32nd overall by the Vikings in the 2014 NFL draft. He has a career total of 15,182 passing yards, 75 touchdowns, 47 interceptions. 

The Buccaneers will play the Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta Falcons for their next three games. The Panthers will play the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, and New Orleans Saints for their next three games.

The Buccaneers seem to have the easier road to the playoffs but anything can happen with their star QB on the sidelines.