Buccaneers vs. Rams: Divisional Round Info, Odds, Where to Watch and More
The San Francisco 49ers are among those eagerly awaiting Sunday's NFC Divisional Round matchup between Tampa Bay and Los Angeles, as they'll travel to either the Sunshine State or five hours southeast next weekend to take on either the Buccaneers or Rams in the 2021-22 NFC Championship.
Much like the Wild Card round as it pertains to Tampa Bay, viewers will consume a rematch from the Buccaneers' 2021 season as the Bucs lost to the Rams by a score of 34-24 in Week 3. Both teams have undergone quite a bit of change since the last time they met and come close to a push when comparing talent across each roster — with the stakes being much higher than the regular-season matchup, Sunday's contest could provide some fireworks.
You can find everything you need to know about the game below.
No. 2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (14-4) vs. No. 4 Los Angeles Rams (13-5)
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.
When: Sunday, Jan. 23 at 3:00 P.M. ET
Watch: NBC | Also available on fuboTV
Radio: Buccaneers Radio Network - 98ROCK
Odds (via SI Sportsbook): The Buccaneers are 2.5-point favorites over the Rams, and the over/under has been set at 47.5 points.
Series history: Los Angeles leads 18-9, and is 2-0 over Tampa Bay in playoff matchups. The Rams defeated the Buccaneers by a score of 34-24 when the teams last met in Week 3 of the 2021 season.
Important stories
- AllBucs' Divisional Round predictions
- Buccaneers vs. Rams predictions
- Final Bucs vs. Rams injury reports
- Three keys to a Buccaneers victory
- Leonard Fournette activated from injured reserve
- Film room: How the Bucs' defense can beat Matthew Stafford and the Rams
- WR John Brown, QB Ryan Griffin elevated from practice squad
- This isn't the same Rams team the Bucs faced in Week 3
- Three matchups to watch
- Leonard Fournette gives back from "tweeting into existence"
- It's a good thing the Bucs lost to the Rams in Week 3
- Tampa Bay's no-huddle offense may be the solution to injury woes
- Bruce Arians fined $50K for sideline actions in Wild Card round
- Buccaneers vs. Rams Divisional Round game preview
- Film Room: How the Buccaneers offense can beat the Rams
The rundown
Despite a respectable comeback effort via 432 yards passing from Tom Brady last time around, the Buccaneers put together an otherwise lifeless performance against the Rams earlier in the season, falling into an early deficit and barely getting within two possessions of the lead by the end of regulation.
That can't happen again if Tampa Bay wants to accomplish its goal of "going for two": Achieving a second consecutive Super Bowl victory.
It won't be easy. If you compare each playoff roster to the Buccaneers', only the Rams are comparable in terms of stacked talent. When fully healthy, Tampa and L.A.'s receiving corps are about as good as they get, their defensive fronts are daunting for opposing offenses, their quarterbacks are gunslingers with 40+ touchdown passes apiece this season, their running back rooms feature versatile and dependable contributors, and their secondaries can lock opponents down.
Brady will have his share of big plays, likely involving Mike Evans, Rob Gronkowski, and a combination of Leonard Fournette and Giovani Bernard as pass-catching running backs. Matthew Stafford will as well, with triple-crown receiver Cooper Kupp along with Odell Beckham Jr., Tyler Higbee, and a healthy Cam Akers at his disposal.
Get your popcorn ready.
Stay tuned to AllBucs for further coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and other NFL news and analysis. Follow along on social media at @SIBuccaneers on Twitter and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sports Illustrated on Facebook.
