The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hit the road for the first time in the 2021 season to take on the Los Angeles Rams. Here is how the game will go for the Buccaneers.
As we say every week, this is not an article with a simple prediction on what we think will happen when the Buccaneers take on the Rams. This is what we know will happen in the game. As is the case with anyone telling tales of the future, there is always a chance that a Marty McFly-type may try to change the future should this information get out.
With that being said, do with this information what you will, and be alerted, as spoilers are ahead.
With Antonio Brown on the COVID list, Carlton Davis banged up, and Jason Pierre-Paul and Jaydon Mickens ruled out, the Bucs won’t exactly be at full strength when they go on the road to play the team that some experts are already calling the best in the NFL. However, there is nothing to worry about.
Until proven otherwise, the defending champion Buccaneers are still the best team in the NFL. Sure their secondary play and running game has left much to be desired, but the season is still young. That being said, with the Rams’ backfield also banged up, there’s going to be an aerial circus in Tinseltown.
Cooper Kupp has been tearing up the league through the first two weeks, and many expect him to do the same against this hobbled Bucs secondary. He’ll get his, but not to the extent many think. Tight end Tyler Higbee will be the one who has himself an afternoon at the Buccaneers’ expense, as the Tampa Bay defense’s struggles against tight ends continue. Luckily, their prowess against the run will make up for it.
On the other side, the notion is that the offense is in trouble and the Bucs need someone to step up in AB’s absence. This thing is, that isn’t completely the case. The Buccaneers were fine when Brown was absent a season ago, and it hasn’t been like they’ve been AB-dependent thus far this season either. Chris Godwin and Rob Gronkowski will continue their hot starts, Godwin in particular, as he’s always find a way to eat against the Rams in his career, and the Rams have struggled against slot receivers thus far. Tyler Johnson and Scotty Miller will flash in their increased playing time, just as they did a season ago. Of course, Mike Evans will also get his fair share, after all, his perpetual 1,000-yard seasons must continue.
At the end of the day, while many in the media want to already crown the Rams since they’re in L.A., the Bucs and Tom Brady will do what Brady has always done throughout his career, and be the ultimate party pooper. The Buccaneers will defeat the Rams by a score of 33-31 in a wildly entertaining affair unless of course someone reads this and changes the future…