Rams are 1-1 even though they can't find end zone

Sep 21, 2017 - 7:48 PM THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Rams are fortunate to be 1-1 after two games without the benefit of a touchdown.

Their luck, however, figures to run out if their offense remains in neutral, beginning this Sunday in Tampa Bay against a Buccaneers team that can consistently put points on the board. Kickoff is 4:05 p.m. ET.

The lack of scoring is getting to be a touchy subject these days.

"Anybody that knows this game would be concerned about not scoring touchdowns, now come on," Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said. "I don't mean to be disrespectful, but we need to score some touchdowns. But I'll take this win, winning and then some.

"So if we take anything away from this week, that's what we got to do. We got to keep working on it someway, somehow, whether it's special teams or defense, but I'll take a touchdown next week. That would be cool."

And with potent offenses looming on the horizon - Sunday included - the Rams have to find a way to keep up. But in analyzing their offensive output thus far, it's difficult to find an open path that points them in the direction.

The passing game behind quarterback Case Keenum has not generated enough production to force teams out of the eight- and nine-man fronts they've built in front of star running back Todd Gurley.

It's obvious opponents don't respect Keenum or the wide receivers, so they've essentially pay them lip service while loading up on the run.

"I think just trusting it, just trusting the offense and the play, trusting my guys, trusting my protection," Keenum said of what he and the offense can do better. "I think we did a good job of that this weekend. I think we can continue to get better on that as we move forward."

Meanwhile, the running game behind Gurley has not been stout enough to counter the eight and nine-man fronts. While it's difficult to operate and block defenses that have two- to three-man advantages, at some point the Rams have to overpower the defensive fronts to create space for Gurley to operate.

"We have to get better. I thought we improved, against Seattle - even though the numbers don't reflect it - we were really close on a number of carries," Fisher said. "With Todd (Gurley), he ran hard and hit the hole quick. When there's an extra guy, an unblocked guy, it's hard. That's the nature of the run game. You have to be able to line up and say, 'Hey, whether there's one or two extra guys, we're going to line up and run it.' That's what we're committed to."

It's almost a chicken versus the egg dilemma.

What comes first? Gurley breaking free and the running game getting untracked - which could help the passing game - or the passing game getting unleashed and then assisting the run game.

It seems at this point, it's on Keenum and the pass game to get the offense unlocked.

The question is, is he capable?

On a positive note, the Rams are playing a Buccaneers team they've beaten three times in a row - although Fisher cautions not to read too much into that.

"It's kind of the same approach we took with Seattle. We had success against Seattle, but there's no guarantee you're going to have success again, you have to get stuff done on the practice field," Fisher said. "They're a much better team. The last couple of years, they've had some significant injuries, they were missing people in our game against them late last year - although we were as well, we were without (safety) T.J. (McDonald) and 'Tree' (linebacker Alec Ogletree) and Rob (Quinn) on the defensive (side).

"Both teams are healthy right now, at least defensively, I know they're dealing with some offensively. They've done a good job building that team. The quarterback is playing well."

--The Rams could get a potential boost this week as WR Pharoh Cooper, WR Nelson Spruce and CB E.J. Gaines were back at practice on Tuesday. All three have been sidelined the first two weeks with injuries, and the Rams have room and need for them on both sides of the ball.

"Yeah, we're going to see," coach Jeff Fisher said. "(Wednesday) is a full-speed day - (Tuesday) was not - and we'll see how they respond tomorrow. And then we'll watch them on Friday and see."

-- WR Nelson Spruce said he is getting better by the day and hopes to play on Sunday.

"Based on the timeline they gave me and how my knee is feeling, I think I'm getting pretty close," Spruce said.

--CB E.J. Gaines was considered the favorite to win the cornerback job opposite Trumaine Johnson - replacing Janoris Jenkins - but after missing all of last year with a foot injury, he's encountered various leg issues trying to return this season.

And that's beyond frustrating.

"I don't think I can put it into words," Gaines said. "I'm just excited to get on the field."

--CB Lamarcus Joyner revealed he played much of Sunday's win over the Seahawks with a broken toe. "I didn't want to say anything because I knew the defense was depending on me," Joyner said.

NOTES: WR Nelson Spruce returned to practice after missing the first two games with a knee injury. His status for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is uncertain. ... WR Pharoh Cooper returned to practice after missing the first two games with a shoulder injury. His status for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is uncertain. ... CB E.J. Gaines, who missed the first two games with a leg injury, returned to practice this week. His status for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is uncertain. ... CB Lamarcus Joyner played a portion of Sunday's game against the Seahawks with a broken toe. He is expected to play on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.