This is most important matchup for Buccaneers against Rams

For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the most important matchup in their game with the Los Angeles Rams will be on the outside. Winning this matchup is crucial for the Buccaneers.

Going into the Bucs divisional round matchup with the Rams, many expect the most important matchup will be the battle of 5000 yard passers on the résumé in Tom Brady and Matt Stafford, or the likes of Aaron Donald and Von Miller wreaking havoc on a banged-up Buccaneers offensive line. While those matchups are certainly important, as all are, especially in the playoffs, the most crucial or more likely than not be out wide.

As previously mentioned, the offensive line of the Bucs is beyond banged up, as is a lot of the roster. This also includes the wide receiver room. About midway through the season, it looked like the Buccaneers would have three 1000 yard receivers in their locker room in Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Antonio Brown. Fast forward to January, and only Evans remains, due to injury and other shenanigans.

Fortunately for the Bucs, Evans is on his way to Canton at the rate he’s going in his career. He’s the only receiver in NFL history to have eight consecutive 1000 yards seasons, which also happen to be every single year he’s been in the league. He and Rob Gronkowski are undoubtedly Brady‘s favorite, and best, options when it comes to throwing the ball, which is something that the Buccaneers love to do. Evans is also scalding hot coming off of a nine catch 117 yard game against the Philadelphia Eagles that included his flip into the end zone.

However, the Rams feature a stout defense which also includes the secondary. Jalen Ramsey is arguably the best corner in the entire NFL, and will be matched up with Evans quite often. The problem is, in the previous two times these teams have met, Ramsey is held the perennial 1000 yard Evans to five catches for 54 yards and zero touchdowns. The thing is, if anything remotely close to this happens on Sunday, Brady will not have a wide variety of alternative options he usually does when Evans is contained.

That is what makes us matchup so crucial. Mike Evans has to have a productive day, in order for the Buccaneers day as a whole to be easier. Fortunately, Brady is the quarterback, and has won Super Bowls with far worse to work with. Mike Evans and Jalen Ramsey is the matchup to watch on Sunday, and the most crucial for the Buccaneers.