Turf Show Times
The Los Angeles Rams (8-2) will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-4) at SoFi Stadium on Sunday Night Football. Los Angeles is riding a 5-game win streak while Tampa Bay has lost three of its last four. The Bucs are not at 100% with their roster, with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin nursing injuries (though the latter has a chance at playing). The Rams have proven their roster is as complete as they come with depth at each position to compliment their playmaking stars: Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, and Jared Verse. How do they stack up against the Bucs? Here’s a breakdown of the two current division leaders…
QB Breakdown: Matt Stafford continues to ball out. Stafford’s numbers are as follows: 2557 yards (6th), 27 TDs (1st), 112.8 QB Rating (2nd), 68.7 QBR (6th), and 56.7 EPA (6th). Stafford continues to keep the ball out of harms way with only 2 interceptions. Week 11 was arguably Stafford’s worst game of the season and even then he was: 15/28, 130 yards, 2 touchdowns. If anything Stafford was just slightly off with his accuracy but nothing that was considered a turnover-worthy play.
Baker Mayfield has been a revelation for the Buccaneers since he joined the team in 2023. His Adjusted Yards gained per Pass Attempt this year has dropped over the last four weeks compared to his first six weeks of action. Mayfield is having his best season as a Buc and will earn himself another extension with the franchise after this year.
RB Breakdown: One thing that I did not understand with the Rams play calling and in-game strategy against Seattle was the lack of usage for Kyren Williams. Williams was clearly the hot hand for Los Angeles, especially after the first quarter. Instead Williams and Corum saw a 60-40 split of the carries. In my opinion, that should have been a 80-20 split. I like that Williams is being kept fresh but it nearly cost LA.
The Bucs will continue to turn to Rachaad White out of the back field with Bucky Irving still being unavailable due to foot and shoulder injuries. Neither running back has been explosive for the Bucs offense but Irving has been the more versatile of the two. White will nonetheless get the nod and work to move the chains for the Bucs rushing attack.
WR Breakdown: Puka Nacua paced the offense in Week 11 against the Seahawks while Davante Adams only factored himself in the red zone with a 1-yard touchdown catch. With Los Angeles relying on 13 personnel more often, Nacua and Adams will see more time on the sideline. It may not be the worst thing to keep both players fresh against a well-graded Tampa Bay secondary; forcing TB into more of a base defense. Either way, the Rams wide receivers who rank, according to PFF, 2nd (Nacua: 93.3) and 10th (Adams: 81.4) will be asked to produce against a secondary that contains the best-graded corner Jamel Dean (90.5), Zyon McCollum...
