Rams Edge Buccaneers In What Could Be Their Last Game In St. Louis

If the Rams leave St. Louis for California, at least they said good bye with a win. On a night when fans poured into the Edward Jones Dome with signs of support, their team delivered a 31-23 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“It was just great for them to come out and show the support tonight and it was a beautiful thing,” defensive end William Hayes said. “We haven’t been putting the best product on the field the whole year.”

On Thursday, the product was up to scratch. Wide receiver Tavon Austin found the end zone twice, Todd Gurley topped 1,000 rushing yards on the season, and and quarterback Case Keenum threw two touchdown passes in the first quarter.

“It was a great atmosphere,” Keenum said. “I think it was a great atmosphere for the nation to watch.”

Gurley is the first Rams running break to break the 1,000 yard mark as a rookie since Jerome Bettis in 1993. Austin also became the first player since Gale Sayers in 1965 to score at least four rushing touchdowns, five receiving touchdowns and one touchdown on a punt return in a single season.

The night also featured appearances by several players from the 1999 Super Bowl winning squad, including Isaac Bruce,  Torry Holt, Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk. During half time, Warner removed his jacket to toss a touchdown to Bruce for old time’s sake.

 

Photo:  Stedman Bailey #12 of the St. Louis Rams makes a catch in overtime against the Seattle Seahawks at the Edward Jones Dome on September 13, 2015 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo: Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)