Friday, December 18, 2015
Associated Press
ST. LOUIS
The St. Louis Rams saved some of their best for last.
Tavon Austin scored twice, Todd Gurley topped 1,000 yards rushing and the Rams beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-23 on Thursday night in what could be the franchise’s final game in St. Louis.
The 31st-ranked offense had an inspired effort in front of another half-filled but spirited Edward Jones Dome crowd, rolling to a 21-3 halftime lead behind Case Keenum’s two touchdown passes.
Fans chanted “Keep Our Rams! Keep Our Rams!” and carried signs, one of them reading “We Don’t Need Kroenke, We Just Want our Rams.”
Owner Stan Kroenke, who wants to move the Rams (6-8) to Los Angeles, attended the finale but kept a low profile.
The team announced 51,295 tickets had been distributed for the 66,000-capacity dome.
Up 31-13, the Rams became conservative and Jameis Winston took advantage with two touchdown passes in a big fourth quarter. He had just 125 yards passing the first three quarters, but finished with a career-best 363, his first 300-yard effort, for Tampa Bay (6-8). The halftime deficit was the Buccaneers’ largest since they were down 35-7 against the Titans in their opening 42-14 loss.