LOS ANGELES – Despite suffering their first loss of the season, the Rams still had positives to take away from Sunday's 55-40 defeat to the Buccaneers. That includes, but is not limited to, the stellar play of wide receivers Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp and Brandin Cooks.
Here are five instant takeaways from the contest:
1) WOODS, KUPP, COOKS SHINE
L.A.'s dangerous wide receiver trio had a strong day.
Robert Woods set a new career high with 13 receptions, and his 164 receiving yards fell seven shy of matching his career high. Cooper Kupp was on the receiving end of one of QB Jared Goff's two touchdown passes on the afternoon, also finishing with nine receptions for 121 yards. Brandin Cooks chipped in six catches for 71 yards.
With Tampa Bay entering Sunday's game with the NFL's No. 6 run defense, establishing run game – or making big plays through the run game – was likely going to be a challenge and potentially make Los Angeles dependent on the passing game. Those three did everything they could to help Goff.
2) GURLEY MORE INVOLVED IN PASSING GAME
While Woods, Kupp and Cooks deserve mentioning, RB Todd Gurley II had contributions of his own in the passing game.
Rams head coach Sean McVay after Week 1 said he had to find ways to get Gurley involved beyond carrying the football, and Week 4 against the Bucs seemed to provide the right opportunity.
After posting four receptions for eight yards on six targets through the first three weeks of the season, Gurley had seven for 54 on 11. According to Pro Football Reference, those 11 targets were third-most in a single game in Gurley's career (he's seen 13 twice).
Of Gurley's six receptions, two came on drives that led to each of his two touchdowns.
3) GOFF BATTLES BACK
QB Jared Goff's resiliency was commendable against one of the toughest pass rushes he'll probably end up facing this season.
He threw for 294 of his 517 passing yards in the second half and helped orchestrate scoring drives on three of their five second-half possessions after halftime, possessions which helped spark a rally amidst an 18-point deficit.
No, it didn't end with the result Goff or his teammates wanted, but there's something to be said about how he responded and his attitude in the midst of that adversity.
4) ZUERLEIN STAYS PERFECT FROM DISTANCE
Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein drilled his third field goal of at least 50 yards this season when he knocked through a 58-yarder with seven seconds left in the first half.
Including his 53-yard make in Week 3 at Cleveland and his successful 56-yard try in Week 1 at Carolina, Zuerlein has yet to miss an attempt of 50 or more yards this season.
5) NO PANIC IN THE LOCKER ROOM
As reporters walked into the Rams locker room and select players began postgame work on stationary bikes, DT Tanzel Smart quickly set the tone.
"The flush begins now," he yelled.
Meaning, time to flush out Sunday's loss and move on with a Thursday night game at Seattle looming.
A loss is the least desirable result, but the Rams' short turnaround will force them to put Sunday's result behind them quickly and start fresh by preparing for a divisional opponent.
