How the Buccaneers Can Beat the Rams

This is a primetime game against one of the strongest teams in the NFC. Oh boy. Based on the last two weeks of Buccaneers game, I’m not sure this team is up to the task of beating the Rams. Can they do it? Sure, but there is a lot going against them.

On defense, they’re probably just screwed. You can’t blitz because Matthew Stafford is a literal God against it (20 TDs and no picks). Not sure you can play man as Jamel Dean will be out and probably Benjamin Morrison as well. I love Jacob Parrish, but he’s 5′ 10″. Puka is 6′ 2″ and Davante Adams is 6′ 1″. Not sure I want to see that match up in man. The Rams are dealing with a few injuries, at least, in terms of IR. They will be missing Tyler Higbee and tackle Rob Havenstein. That should hopefully mean the Bucs can get some pressure on Stafford.

One of the few nice things about Stafford as opposed to some of the other guys they have faced is that they don’t have to worry about his legs most likely. Not to say Stafford is Tom Brady in the pocket, but he isn’t the most mobile anymore.

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On offense, things look slightly less bleak. We still have to watch Michael Jordan play RG, but we should get to see Chris Godwin suit up again. Of course Bucky Irving isn’t playing this week (although it sounds like next week will be when he comes back) so it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. With how Baker Mayfield has been playing, I think leaning on the run game will be vital for the offense’s success. There’s also the fact that the whole Rams’ d-line is made up of bloodthirsty maniacs. If they can get the run game going again, that should help. They have only allowed 3.9 ypc on the year, so it won’t be as easy as against the Bills.

Who should get the majority of those carries is an interesting question. Rachaad definitely is the more steady back and has better vision. But Sean Tucker is a fantastic athlete when he gets going. He just might also be blind. I think Grizzard will know which back to ride with as he did last week. I would like to see some pretty even splits between the two of them unless one back is significantly outplaying the other.

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If this article doesn’t seem very hopeful, that’s because I’m not. I just find it hard to see a path to a Bucs victory here. It’s a combination of how good the Rams have played and how mediocre the Buccaneers have been as of late. The Bucs defense just needs to get the splash plays and hope to God they just hold on when they don’t get those plays. On offense, keep the ball moving and hope Baker makes some good reads and decisions. Having Godwin back may help with the chemistry those two have and may possibly free up Egbuka.