After starting their Super Bowl defense with a 2-0 record, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were sent home with their first L of the season in a 34-24 defeat against the Los Angeles Rams. Tom Brady played like his usual self, but his teammates on both ends of the field failed to step up and deliver for the team in Week 3 proceedings. Let's examine some takeaways from the Buccaneers' disappointing Week 3 performance against the Rams.

Buccaneers takeaways from Week 3 loss to Rams

3. The Buccaneers' running game remains nonexistent

Bruce Arians and his men failed to get any momentum going on the ground against a tough Rams defense on Sunday. They did get a rushing TD from both Brady and Chris Godwin, but they didn't get any significant contributions from their running backs, who are expected to lead the charge for the unit.

Ronald Jones II was only limited to 11 yards on five touches, while Leonard Fournette merely ran eight yards on four attempts. Brady topped the rushing department with a total of 14 yards and three carries. A team would never be in a good position to win whenever a 44-year-old QB ends up as their leading rusher in a game.

Hopefully, both Jones and Fournette will get back on the right track sooner than later.

2. The injuries in the secondary are a problem

The Buccaneers' secondary defense was a huge concern dating back to Week 1 of the season. CB Sean Murphy-Bunting went down with a dislocated elbow in their first game against the Dallas Cowboys. Their other cornerbacks in Jamel Dean and Carlton Davis III also sustained their own injuries in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons.

This week, Dean got hurt for the second time after he exited the game against the Rams with a knee injury. Without their top cornerbacks, the team had to rely on a third-stringer in Dee Delaney who has yet to gain significant playing experience in the pros.

As a result, the Rams easily got their way around the field and ended the day with four total touchdowns, which resulted in a dominant win over the Bucs. Due to Tampa Bay's lack of depth, many reports have already been swirling around on the team's possible move to acquire former All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman. The Buccaneers will be hosting Sherman for a visit, and we'll see if they sign him to help this banged-up secondary.

1. The front four failed to make Matthew Stafford uncomfortable

Aside from the secondary, the Buccaneers' entire defensive line also struggled to contain Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. The former Pro Bowler looked sharp as he racked up 343 yards on 27-of-38 passes to go with four touchdowns. He also looked untouchable on the field as Buccaneers pass rusher William Gholston was the only defender who got his hands on the veteran QB in the entire game.

With Stafford's playmaking, the Rams were able to outperform their opponent and rapidly put up points on the board, especially in the second and third quarters of the game. Los Angeles capitalized on its aerial attack to run away with the 34-24 victory and go up 3-0 to start the 2021 campaign.

Certainly enough, the Bucs' defense has the talent to impose their will against any team in the league, just as they did last season and in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs. Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles will surely have to gather his group and ensure that they overcome their slump as soon as possible.