Matthew Stafford and the Rams Beat Tom Brady and the Buccaneers, 30-27
The divisional round of the NFL playoffs continued Sunday (Jan. 23), and one of the biggest games – especially for Michiganders – was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting the Los Angeles Rams. The game brought two quarterbacks with Michigan ties head-to-head: Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford. Would Stafford finally get close to a Super Bowl, after all these years?
It was an intense game from the beginning, and early on, the Rams pulled ahead, notching a 20-3 lead at the half. But, the Buccaneers came back in the second half to tie the game at the end. Final score: Rams 30, Buccaneers 27. What a thriller.
Check out photos from the game below.
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts in the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams throws the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws the ball in the second quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Kendall Blanton #86 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball as Nick Scott #33 of the Los Angeles Rams defends in the second quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams catches the ball before running into the endzone for a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams catches the ball before running into the endzone for a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive players huddle in the second quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Jaelon Darden #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws the ball in the second quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Jaelon Darden #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws the ball in the second quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Los Angeles Rams catches the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Ryan Succop #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers watches the ball after kicking for a field goal in the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Devin White #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defend as Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the ball in the first quarter of the game in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks to throw the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks to throw the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Devin White #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defend as Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the ball in the first quarter of the game in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Los Angeles Rams catches the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Odell Beckham Jr. #3 and Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams talk in the second quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams jumps over Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Rams players to score a touchdown in the third quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Shaquil Barrett #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reaches for the ball after Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams fumbles the snap in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks to pass in the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Matthew Stafford #9 and Marquise Copeland #93 of the Los Angeles Rams react to defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-27 in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams jumps over Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Rams players to score a touchdown in the third quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts after defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-27 in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts after defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-27 in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)