First Glance: Buccaneers Host Rams In Divisional Round

With their win over the Eagles on Sunday, the Buccaneers moved to 5-0 in the postseason under quarterback Tom Brady. However, they are preparing the face an opponent that they are 0-2 against over the last two seasons… the Los Angeles Rams.

The Rams advanced to the divisional round after dominating the Cardinals on Monday night to set up a re-match of a week three meeting between the two NFC rivals. In that September matchup, the Rams came away with a 34-24 victory, handing the Bucs their first loss of 2021. Rams quarterback Matt Stafford had one of his best games of the season completing 27-of-38 for 343 yards, four touchdowns and no turnovers. Brady, on the other hand, threw for 432 yards and had two touchdowns in the loss.

Each team comes into this weekend’s matchup a bit different from what they were in September. In the Rams week one victory, Cooper Kupp led the team with nine receptions on 12 targets, 96 yards, and a pair of touchdowns. However, Desean Jackson led the with 120 yards and a touchdown on three receptions. Jackson, of course, is no longer with the Rams after being released midseason and signing with the Raiders. With that said, the Rams were able to replace Jackson with former Giant and Browns receiver, Odell Beckham Jr. who had a huge impact in the team’s wild card victory over the Cardinals. Since joining the Rams prior to week 10, Beckham Jr. has six touchdowns in nine games including at least one in three of the last four.

In their 2020 meeting, the Rams edged the Buccaneers 27-24 and forced two Brady interceptions that dropped the Buccaneers to 7-4. Of course, Jared Goff was the quarterback then but he was able to throw for 376 yards and two touchdowns against the Bucs in the win. Neither of the two leading receivers in that game, Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown, will play in this game. Godwin suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Bucs loss to the Saints and Brown was cut prior to the end of the regular season. However, Mike Evans will suit up as well as Rob Gronkowski. Gronk did play in this season’s loss to the Rams but left the game with a rib injury that ended up costing him several weeks.

Around FPC

NFL: Game Recap: Bengals Defeat Raiders 26-19

NFL: Home Field Advantage in NFL Remains a Big-Time Mystery

NFL: If You Like NFL History, the 2021 Playoffs Are For You

NHL: NHL Power Rankings: Florida Panthers Remain Number One

Wrestling: WWE Once Again Chooses To Go Back To Brock Lesnar

PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 28: Bengals and Bills Advance; Wild Card Weekend Preview and Predictions

The Rams defense ranked just 15th in points allowed per game but were fifth in the league in defensive DVOA (via FootballOutsiders.com) and sixth and pass defense DVOA. It is not surprising with the likes of Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald running the defense. Not to mention, midseason acquisition Von Miller is a three-time All-Pro and Super Bowl champion which could wreak havoc on a potential shorthanded Bucs offensive line. Both Tristan Wirfs and Ryan Jensen were banged up in the team’s win over the Eagles.

The key for the Buccaneers is for them not to allow the likes of Donald and Miller to dictate the offensive tempo. Despite the injuries, the Bucs offense has begun to gel a bit at the right time and even in the two losses to the Rams, Brady has had some success throwing the ball. Of course, individually, Brady has had some notable success against the Rams in the playoffs. Brady is 2-0 against the Rams in the Super Bowl, winning his first and sixth (last with the Patriots) against them. The second came against Donald, Ramsey, and head coach Sean McVay.

Bucs fans would like to see a repeat performance on Sunday.