The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5, 1-3 Home) will be out to end their losing streak when they play host to the Los Angeles Rams (3-4, 1-1 Away) at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday. The Buccaneers are three-point favorites, and the total is 42.5.
Los Angeles is coming off a 31-14 loss against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium last Sunday. Matthew Stafford was 22 of 33 for 187 yards and a touchdown. Ronnie Rivers ran eight times for 21 yards. Cooper Kupp was targeted 12 times, catching eight passes for 79 yards and a touchdown.
Tampa Bay dropped a third straight game last Thursday, falling 27-22 to the Baltimore Ravens at Raymond James Stadium. Tom Brady threw for 325 yards and a touchdown. Leonard Fournette carried nine times for 24 yards and a touchdown and added three catches for 34 yards. Mike Evans was targeted 11 times, hauling in six receptions for 123 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The teams last met in last season’s NFC Divisional Playoffs when the Rams secured their place in the Conference Championship with a 30-27 victory. The Rams won the only regular season game between the teams last year, a 34-24 victory in September.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Rams are averaging 16.9 points per game for the season, 28th in the NFL, and they are facing a Buccaneers defense that has surrendered 18.9 PPG (6th). Meanwhile, Tampa Bay has scored 18.3 points a game this season, 25th in the league, and Los Angeles is allowing 22.4 PPG (18th).
The Rams rank as one of the league’s worst teams in rushing yards per game (68.4, 31st), while they are 11th in passing yards (253.6). The Buccaneers are sixth in passing yards allowed per game (213.9) and 24th against the run (132.4).
Tampa Bay has been the league’s least productive rushing team, averaging 61.9 yards per game, while ranking sixth in passing yards (283.4). The Rams are allowing 219.4 passing yards (9th) and 105.1 rushing yards per game (7th).
Tampa Bay ranks as one of the weakest red zone threats in the NFL, scoring a touchdown just 46% of the time (29th) when the team advances inside the 20. Los Angeles has been tough to beat when defending their own red zone, holding opponents to a conversion percentage of only 44% (3rd).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through seven games, Matthew Stafford has thrown for seven touchdowns (8 INT) and 251.9 yards per game to lead Los Angeles in passing. In two away games this season, he has zero TDs (1 INT) and an average of 251.5 yards passing.
Darrell Henderson Jr. leads the team in rushing with an average of 28.1 yards a game over seven games. He has two touchdowns on the ground. Cooper Kupp is the Rams’ leading receiver with 98.0 yards a game and five TDs.
He is averaging 9.1 receptions on 12.0 targets per game. Tom Brady has nine passing touchdowns (1 INT) with 283.4 yards per game through eight games to lead Tampa Bay. In four home games this season, he has thrown for six TDs and an average of 333.0 yards.
Leonard Fournette has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 48.3 yards a game through eight games. He also has been valuable as a receiver, posting 34.1 yards a game through the air. He has five total touchdowns, two rushing and three receiving.
Mike Evans has been the primary target in the Buccaneers’ passing game. He has three touchdowns and an 82.4 yard per game average through seven appearances. Mike Evans is averaging 8.4 targets per game (5.6 receptions).
SportsTips’ NFL Pick:
LA Rams (+130)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
