The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Rams are the 2 most recent Super Bowl champions. Heading into this season, it would have surprised no one if they faced off in the NFC Championship for a chance to make a return trip to the Super Bowl. Now, however, such a possibility looks improbable at best.
Here are our predictions and best bets for this Rams-Bucs showdown.
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Los Angeles Rams vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers spread, odds & betting lines
Point Spread: Rams +2.5, Buccaneers -2.5
Total Points Over/Under: 42.5 points
Money Line Odds: Rams +130, Buccaneers -150
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Los Angeles Rams vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers expert picks
We have 2 NFL picks for this week’s clash between Los Angeles and Tampa Bay. Let’s take a look.
Against the spread pick: Buccaneers -2.5 (-110) over Rams
Neither team has been good – at least not relative to preseason expectations – through 8 weeks. However, you can make the argument that the Rams are in even more dire straits than the Bucs. The offense of the defending Super Bowl champions is a major concern, especially when you consider last Sunday’s performance against a banged-up San Francisco defense. With an extra week to prepare for that contest, head coach Sean McVay’s game script was okay; his team ranked 9th in EPA/play in the 1st quarter with a 50 percent success rate. From there, however, things went downhill in a big way. Los Angeles had just a 34 percent success rate for the remainder of the contest. It’s not all Matthew Stafford’s fault, as the offensive line has been a complete disaster – grading out as the second-worst unit in the league right now. This pick is more fading the Rams than it is tailing the Bucs.
Be sure to check out our full Los Angeles Rams vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers predictions
Over/Under totals pick: Under 42.5 (-110)
Why is the Rams’ offensive line so bad? Three Week 1 starters are currently on IR and there is no depth to speak of to replace those losses. That’s because this roster’s construction is very top-heavy, leaving the team very thin at several key positions. Going after players like Odell Beckham and Von Miller last season – among other high-priced talent – means Los Angeles has not drafted inside the top 75 since 2015. The Rams have drafted only 7 total offensive lineman in the last 4 years, none higher than Joe Noteboom at #89 overall (2018). Noteboom is 1 of those 3 starters on IR. Adding insult to injury, star receiver Cooper Kupp is questionable for Sunday. As for the Bucs, injuries of their own have made life on the field very difficult for Tom Brady. We know good well it’s difficult off the field, too. The under is the way to go.
Get all of our expert betting insight, analysis and even more NFL Predictions and Best Bets from the rest of the Week 9 action.
Be sure to also check some of our other NFL Predictions articles for Week 9 below.
- Indianapolis Colts vs New England Patriots predictions
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- Los Angeles Chargers vs Atlanta Falcons predictions
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