NFL Playoff Preview 2021-2022 Divisional Round: #4 Los Angeles Rams at #2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This NFL Playoff Preview for the divisional round of the 2021-2022 NFL playoff features a rematch from week 3 of this season which saw the Los Angeles Rams pick up a 34-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Rams played extremely well in this matchup: QB Matthew Stafford threw for 343 yards and 4 TDs, converted 10-15 third downs, and kept the Bucs offense quiet in points while giving up over 400 yards of offense. Both teams are dealing with a number of key injuries to their squads who did play in their week 3 matchup. Can this Rams offense keep up this historic pace they are on, or will Tom Brady continue to defy Father Time and put on another masterclass playoff performance? Let’s break it down.
How The Rams Can Win
#1) Limit The Turnovers
Seems simple enough, but down the stretch of the regular season, Matthew Stafford decided to become Oprah Winfrey with INTs. If the Rams want to continue to put on the incredible showing on offense like they did last week, Stafford has to be at his very best and keep the turnovers to a minimum. Show the rest of the NFL why the Rams brought him out of purgatory in Detroit to shine under the bright lights of LA. This doesn’t have to mean limiting the deep ball or playing conservative either; give Stafford and these receivers easy, precise routes to run and let them run wild after the catch.
#2) Neutralize Mike Evans
Mike Evans absolutely went OFF during their week 3 matchup: 8 catches for 106 yards. With the number of injuries on the offensive side of the ball for the Bucs, if Jalen Ramsey and this Rams defense can find a way to stifle Tom Brady’s best weapon, it’s really just Gronk to worry about and that’s it. If this defense lets Evans run all over them as they did during the regular season, it could be a long night for the Rams defense and a historic performance for Evans.
#3) Get The Ground Game Working
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had the third-best rushing defense in the NFL this season. The Los Angeles Rams had the 8th worst rushing offense in the league. A key factor in that? Cam Akers. With Akers back, the Rams rushed for 140 yards last week with a TD. It’s going to be vital to the success of this Rams team if they can get both Cam Akers and Sony Michel involved on the ground. If the running game is working, it opens up the play-action and Stafford can eat against a defense that allowed the 11th most receiving yards this season.
How The Buccaneers Can Win
#1) Protect Tom At All Costs
It’s no secret that the Los Angeles Rams defense is good, but their ability to rush the Quarterback is nearly second to none. The Rams finished third in the NFL in sacks with 50 this season. And as we all know, Tom Brady has never been a scrambling Quarterback. This Rams team will find a way to get to Brady, but being able to scheme up a game plan to limit his time in the pocket gives the Bucs the best shot at winning this game. If they can’t, it will be a long night and one messy jersey for #12.
#2) Feed Gronk
I mentioned above that if the Rams can keep Mike Evans quiet they have a good shot at winning. I say that because the Rams gave up the 5th fewest points to opposing TEs this season so you think they can keep this up here. But Rob Gronkowski is a different animal. Once Gronk gets a rhythm in the game and starts to heat up, he is one of the most dangerous TEs in the NFL. It’s obvious the #1 is Evans, so take advantage of that. Find Gronk and find him early and get him loose. Once you do that the offense can go in any number of directions.
#3) Someone In The Secondary Has To Step Up
The Buccaneers finished in the bottom half of the league in receiving yards allowed per game. The Los Angeles Rams finished 5th in the league in receiving yards per game (interestingly enough, the Bucs finished first). This Rams team is LOADED on offense, so someone from this secondary unit must step up to slow down the litany of players at Matthew Staffords’ disposal.
Summary
This game has the chance to steal the show during the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. Both teams love to put up points and sling the ball all around the yard. When I look at this game, I have a hard time betting against Tom Brady, especially in the playoffs. However…I picked the Los Angeles Rams to come out of the NFC before the year started. This offense has too many weapons for this Tampa Bay Buccaneers to slow down. Matthew Stafford gets arguably the biggest win of his career and steals some of the shine as far as NFC Quarterbacks go.
Official Prediction: Los Angeles Rams 34 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28
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