The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1) host the Los Angeles Rams (1-1) for a Week 3 showdown in Tampa. Here is a game preview, the betting odds, and a prediction.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally get to play their home opener of the 2016 NFL season when they host the Los Angeles Rams for a 4:05 PM ET kickoff on Sunday, September 25th in Week 3.
Tampa Bay is 1-1 on the season. The Buccaneers beat the Atlanta Falcons, 31-24 in Week 1, but were annihilated by the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2, 40-7. Los Angeles is also 1-1 on the year. The Rams were shut out in Week 1 by the San Francisco 49ers, 28-0 on Monday Night Football, but responded with a 9-6 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2.
According to OddsShark.com, the Buccaneers will be a 4.5-point home favorite in this game against the Rams. The game’s projected over/under is set 42 combined points.
Odds
Point Spread: Tampa Bay -4.5
Moneylines: Tampa Bay -220, Los Angeles +180
Over/Under: 42
While the Buccaneers and Rams have only played each other 23 times on the gridiron, this will be the fifth straight season that these two NFC teams will meet. The Rams have won the last four head-to-head meetings and hold a 15-8 series lead over the Buccaneers.
The Rams have played well straight up and against the spread in their last six games, going 4-2 in both. However, Los Angeles hasn’t performed as well on the road with only win away from home in its last seven games.
Tampa Bay should have a home field advantage in this one, but doesn’t. The Buccaneers are 3-14 straight up in their last 17 home games and just 5-12 against the spread at Raymond James Stadium.
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With the Rams’ inability to get into the end zone with its archaic offense, go with the under in this one. However, Los Angeles will find a way to get into the end zone once in Week 3. Look for a Todd Gurley rushing touchdown on Sunday afternoon in Tampa.
The Buccaneers should win this game while covering the spread because they have the best quarterback on the field in Jameis Winston. Winston will get the Buccaneers into the end zone twice through the air in head coach Dirk Koetter’s Air Coryell attack.
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Los Angeles will play great defense, but the Rams’ offensive ineptitude knocks them down to 1-2 on the season. Tampa Bay improves to 2-1 on the year by winning its first game at home.
Pick: Buccaneers 20, Rams 13