TAMPA, Fla. -- Somehow, some way, the Los Angeles Rams are 2-1.
Their early season schedule is a nightmare, their offense remains a work in progress, and their secondary needs work. But the Rams have recovered from a humiliating season-opening loss to the lowly San Francisco 49ers with back-to-back victories, first against the menacing Seattle Seahawks and, on Sunday, on the road against the upstart Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"We changed our mentality from the first game," Rams defensive tackle Michael Brockers said. "The first game wasn't us."
Backed by two touchdowns from Todd Gurley, a 43-yard score from Tavon Austin and a 77-yard fumble recovery from the vaunted defensive line, the Rams left Raymond James Stadium with a 37-32 win on an afternoon that included a 70-minute lightning delay at the two-minute warning. The victory gave Jeff Fisher his first Week 3 victory since he joined the organization in 2012 and put the Rams at 2-1 for the first time since 2006.
They are now tied with the Seahawks for first place in the NFC West, while holding the tiebreaker.
Think about that for a second.
Their quarterback play remains subpar, their offensive line has struggled to open holes for the star running back, and their secondary seems undermanned. But the Rams have found ways to overcome. Last week, in their highly anticipated home opener in front of more than 91,000 fans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, it was the defensive line that took over.
On Sunday, it was the Rams' veteran defensive end, Robert Quinn, who delivered the biggest plays.
With L.A. leading by four and the Bucs at the Rams' 13-yard line early in the fourth quarter, Quinn -- limited to eight games because of back trouble last season -- came around the edge and stripped the ball from Jameis Winston. Backup defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks picked it up and ran untouched up the sideline to extend the Rams' lead to 11.
"I was pretty done after that," Westbrooks, 6-foot-4 and 267 pounds, said of running 77 yards on a full sprint. "My coaches were [asking] why I didn't celebrate. I honestly had no energy to celebrate."
Quinn struck again late. The Bucs got the ball at their own 45-yard line shortly after the two-minute warning, and Winston quickly marched them into the red zone. At the Rams' 15-yard line with four seconds left, the secondary did an excellent job of providing coverage. Winston had nowhere to throw, thought about running, and Quinn came from behind to make a game-ending tackle.
"I thought he was going to take off running for the touchdown, but I saw him pull up looking to the end zone," Quinn said of Winston. "I just gave every last bit of effort I had to try to get him."
The Rams caught some breaks, most notably a missed extra point and a missed field goal by rookie kicker Roberto Aguayo and a dropped pass by Vincent Jackson at the Rams' 10-yard line on the final drive.
But Gurley showed signs that he may be coming alive.
The Rams' second-year running back struggled to find holes for most of the game, but finally got going on a late scoring drive that saw him rush for 38 yards on six carries. The last was a 1-yard touchdown run. The memorable one was a brilliant 16-yard run on which he somehow stayed on his feet.
The Rams are far from perfect, but their record says they're at least above average -- and they believe they're trending upward.
"I think we are in a good spot," said quarterback Case Keenum, who went 14-of-26 for 190 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, which was returned for a touchdown. "I think we are getting better each week, which is what you want to do."