The 1-1 Buccaneers are set to host the 1-1 Los Angeles Rams this Sunday in their home opener. Here, we preview the matchup and tell you where to watch and listen to it.
Looking to rebound from a tough 40-7 loss in Arizona last week, the Buccaneers will welcome in the Rams this Sunday at 4:05 for their 2016 regular season home opener. When Tampa Bay takes the field in front of the home fans, it will look to put some injuries and off-field issues of the past week behind them.
Jameis Winston struggled heavily last week. Especially without the injured Doug Martin this week, Winston will have to bounce back in a big way. Mike Evans has been impressive through the first two weeks, while Adam Humphries had a nice game in Arizona. The Bucs have been lacking production from Vincent Jackson and Cameron Brate and will now be without Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who was released on Friday following his DUI arrest.
The Buccaneer defense struggled to contain Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald last week, but will face a weaker offense this week. Despite missing Robert Ayers, the Bucs will still need to get after the quarterback in an effort to pick up their first turnover of the year.
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The Rams are 1-1, but haven’t found the end zone yet this year. Case Keenum is still the quarterback, with 2016 No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff waiting on the bench. 2015 rookie of the year Todd Gurley is a big threat out of the backfield. The Los Angeles defense is stout, boasting one of the league’s top defensive lines. Robert Quinn and Aaron Donald will lead the way, looking to make things tough for the Tampa Bay offense.
Last time the two teams met was in week 15 of last year, with the Rams winning 31-23. The Bucs held Gurley in check, but Keenum was able to pick apart the defense in what was the franchise’s final game in St. Louis.
WHERE TO WATCH: Fox will once again have the broadcast. Dick Stockton will have the play-by-play call, with Chris Spielman providing the analysis. Kristina Pink will have reports from the sideline.
WHERE TO LISTEN: 103.5 FM and 620 AM will have the radio broadcast in the Tampa Bay area. The legendary Gene Deckerhoff will call the action, with Dave Moore joining him in the booth. T.J. Rives will be the crew’s sideline reporter. For more options around Florida, check here. Fans can also listen on Buccaneers.com and the Buccaneers mobile app.
Satellite radio subscribers can listen to the Tampa Bay broadcast on Sirius 84. The Rams’ broadcast can be found on Sirius 138.
Next: Buccaneers vs Rams: Five Game-Changing Players
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