Los Angeles Rams vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Rams are looking to notch their sixth straight win when they host the Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay is trying to avoid a third consecutive loss – but oddsmakers aren’t optimistic, listing the Bucs as 7-point underdogs across most sportsbooks.
Let’s break down whether that number is justified as I give you my thoughts in this Los Angeles Rams vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers preview and picks.
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Los Angeles Rams vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preview & Picks
Can Baker Mayfield pull of an upset against his former team on Sunday Night Football?
Rams vs Bucs Preview
The 8-2 Rams continue to show each week why they deserve to be taken seriously as Super Bowl contenders. And on an individual level, 37-year-old Matthew Stafford is doing everything in his power to prove he’s this year’s MVP.
Through 10 games, Stafford is completing 66% of his passes for 2,557 yards, but the most eye-opening stat is his touchdown-to-interception ratio: an incredible 27–2. He has this Rams offense sixth in points per game (27.2) and seventh in both red-zone efficiency (64.4%) and yards per play (5.8). They also rank first in success rate and sixth in EPA per play.
Given how terrific their offense has been, the strides their defense has made are going a bit unnoticed. The Rams rank second in points allowed per game (17.2), second in EPA per play, and second in red-zone defensive efficiency (43.8%). They’re also seventh in yards per play allowed (5.0) and 11th in success rate allowed.
Sean McVay has this team clicking at the perfect time, and right now it looks like nothing can slow them down. Unless Tampa Bay has something to say about it.
While the Bucs, led by Baker Mayfield, have been able to produce some fireworks offensively, they haven’t been the same on that side of the ball since losing veteran receiver Mike Evans in Week 7, and starting running back Bucky Irving in Week 4. Irving is apparently now trending toward playing in their game against the Cardinals next week, according to head coach Todd Bowles.
While the Bucs – led by Baker Mayfield – have still flashed some offensive life, they haven’t been the same since losing Mike Evans in Week 7 and running back Bucky Irving in Week 4. The promising news is that Irving is trending toward returning next week, according to Todd Bowles.
The better news for Sunday night is that Chris Godwin is set to return for the first time since Week 5. His presence should give the offense a needed boost, but Tampa Bay has still dropped three of its last four games and sits at 6-4 – just a half-step ahead of Carolina at 6-5 in a tight NFC South.
Realistically, both teams are likely to lose this weekend, so neither is positioned to gain much ground regardless of the outcome. More on that shortly.
As for the Buccaneers’ defense, the issues are clear. They’ve allowed 25 points per game (21st) and 5.6 yards per play – a number that has risen to 6.1 over their last three games. They also rank 27th in defensive red-zone efficiency (64%).
Offensively, their own red-zone execution has suffered as well, sitting 25th with a 51.7% success rate. Missing their top weapons is a major reason for that, and it’s hard to imagine things suddenly improving against one of the league’s most complete defenses.
Los Angeles Rams vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Picks
I’ve been pretty vocal this season about the fraudulence surrounding this Tampa Bay Buccaneers team, and my stance has been proven on multiple occasions. That trend should continue after this matchup. Los Angeles is more talented, healthier, and playing steady, well-rounded football on both sides of the ball.
If the Bucs were fully healthy, you could make a case for them pulling off an upset. But that’s not their reality. Baker Mayfield is still gritty and capable enough to keep things competitive, and laying seven against a division leader in primetime is still a hefty number.
So that’s why my approach is to tease the Rams down. Earlier this week, when Los Angeles was -6.5, I paired them in a 6-point teaser that brought them down to -0.5. The other leg was the San Francisco 49ers, dropping them from -7 to -1 in their Monday Night Football matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers are going to get exposed in the Bay Area by a finally healthy 49ers squad.
BetOnline has the best teaser odds, and I’d of course still play this teaser at their current spreads as well.
Look for these primetime NFC West favorites to take care of business against weaker NFC South opponents in Week 12.
Best Bet – 6-Point Teaser: Rams -0.5 / 49ers -1 (-115)
NFL Record: 63-48 (+7.05 units)
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