We continue our game by game preview of the Buccaneers’ 2016 schedule. Today, we look at the home opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
Buccaneers’ football is getting closer. We are approximately three weeks away from training camp opening up. Before we know it, the regular season will be here. With that, we are continuing with our favorite thing to do, speculation! When there is no football going on, we talk about what might be ahead.
And that means, continuing our season preview.
Over the last week, we have been previewing the season, game by game. We started with the opener, and went on to look at week two out in Arizona. We have talked at length about how the Bucs start out of the gate with a tough schedule. Now, we move on to week three, where if there is any break in the schedule, this is it.
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For the home opener, Jared Goff, Todd Gurley, and the rest of the Los Angeles Rams come to town. In their history, these two teams (including St. Louis and Los Angeles) have met 23 times, with the Rams winning 15 of those games. The Rams have won the last four meetings of this series in a row, including last season’s 31-23 victory in December.
Last year, the “X-Factor” was Tavon Austin. He ran the ball four times for 32 yards and a score, and caught three passes for 41 yards and a score. Simply put, he was everywhere. Our revamped Bucs’ defense is going to need to keep an eye on this guy. A player that can be a double threat is a great asset to a young quarterback, and the Bucs will need to take him out of the game.
This could be the game where the new pass rush makes a huge statement. The first rule of thumb when facing a rookie quarterback is to get in his face. Do it early and often. Mike Smith will undoubtedly throw the kitchen sink at Goff. There will be countless different looks for him to contend with, and Noah Spence and company will have their chance. Look for them to put on a show for the Bucs to get in the win column in this one.
The way to turn off a pass rush is a strong running game, and the Rams have one of the best in the game in Todd Gurley. Last year, the Bucs were able to limit Gurley to 48 yards on 21 carries, though he did score once. The defensive line should be even better than it was last season, so this is a good matchup for the Bucs, based on last year at least.
The offense was solid last year against the Rams, rushing for 146 yards and throwing for 363. Winston was over 50% with his completions, and posted a passer rating greater than 85. Doug Martin led all rushers with 91 yards on only 18 carries, a 5.06 yards per carry average. If they can do more of the same on offense, they should be in pretty good shape.
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If the Bucs are looking for an early break in the schedule, here it is. They had better play well to take advantage of it.