— Sunday, January 23rd Los Angeles Rams @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Two division champions get together in the NFC Divisional Round as the No.2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the No. 4. Los Angeles Rams. Both teams had convincing wins in the Wild Card round, and quarterbacks Tom Brady and Matt Stafford go head-to-head with an NFC Championship Game berth on the line. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. ET on Sunday from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, and the game will air on NBC, streaming on Peacock.
These teams played in Week 3, with the Rams winning at home 34-24 in primetime. They also won in Tampa last year with a 27-24 victory in November. The Rams lead the all-time series 18-9, including playoff wins after the 1979 and 1999 seasons.
Rams Defense Shut Down Cardinals
The Rams easily covered last week in the 34-11 win over the Cardinals, and they are 9-9 ATS this season while the over is 9-8-1 in their 18 games. The Rams went 7-2 on the road in the regular season, but they were 1-2 on the road against playoff teams.
The defense held Arizona to 183 total yards, forced two turnovers, and sacked Kyler Murray twice. They allowed just 61 rushing yards for the game and also scored a touchdown on a pick six. In the win over Tampa Bay in September, the defense allowed over 400 passing yards but just 35 rushing yards as Leonard Floyd and Aaron Donald both had sacks.
Stafford won his first-ever playoff game last week, throwing for 202 yards and two touchdowns on an efficient 13-for-17. In the win over Tampa Bay in September, Stafford was 27-for-38 for 343 yards and four touchdowns.
Sony Michel had 13 carries for 58 yards last week, while Cam Akers had 17 for 55 yards in his most extensive action since of the season. Michel carried 20 times against the Bucs in the first game, totaling 67 yards. The Rams’ lone touchdown on the ground in the Wild Card win came on a QB sneak from Stafford.
Wideout Cooper Kupp had five catches for 61 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Cardinals. Odell Beckham Jr., who didn’t face the Buccaneers this season, also caught a touchdown pass while grabbing four receptions for 54 yards. Kupp burned the Bucs in September for 96 yards and two scores on nine catches, while tight end Tyler Higbee also had a touchdown.
Brady Leads Bucs Again
The Bucs are 10-8 ATS this season, and the total is 9-9 after the under hit in the Wild Card win over the Eagles. Tampa Bay is 8-1 at Raymond James Stadium this season, with the only loss coming in a 9-0 setback to the Saints in Week 15.
Brady is 35-11 in the playoffs for his career and has a pair of Super Bowl wins over the Rams franchise. Last week he completed 29-of-37 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns and was sacked four times. Against the Rams in September, he was 41-for-55 for 432 yards with one touchdown and three sacks as the Bucs played from behind all game.
The run game was non-existent against the Rams in September as Brady led the team with 14 yards. Neither Leonard Fournette nor Ronald Jones played last week, and both are questionable against the Rams. Ke’Shawn Vaughn led the way against the Eagles with 53 yards and a touchdown, while Gio Bernard also scored and added 44 yards.
Mike Evans was the top target against the Eagles with nine catches for 117 yards and a touchdown. With Chris Godwin out for the season, Bernard had five catches for 39 yards, while Rob Gronkowski also had five catches for 31 yards and a touchdown. Evans had eight catches for 106 yards against the Rams in September, while Gronk had four catches for 55 yards, and Bernard had a receiving touchdown.
Betting Analysis
- Los Angeles Rams +2.5 (-105). Moneyline +130
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers -2.5 (-115). Moneyline -150
- Total Points 48 Over -115. Under -105
The offenses and the quarterbacks get all the headlines, but both of these teams hang their hat on defense. Tampa Bay has allowed more than 20 points just once in the last five games, and the Rams haven’t allowed more than 24 since a 36-28 loss at Green Bay over Thanksgiving weekend. Both run games will struggle, and whichever offensive line holds up will move on to the NFC Championship Game.
Betting Pick: Under 48 points (-110)
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