The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to bounce back after a tough two-game stretch, but will have to do so against one of the best teams in football, the Los Angeles Rams.
The Buccaneers have beaten themselves over the last two weeks with big play breakdowns on defense and untimely turnovers, and an inability to finish drives on offense. Contrastly the Rams have been one of the most balanced teams in football and have been able to consistently make big plays to propel them to victory. When healthy, this is one of the most compelling matchups in football, but the Bucs are still missing key starters on both sides of the football.
In what should be a close game between two of the better teams in the NFL, the Buccaneers have a chance to win this game as long as they can win these five matchups.
LT Tristan Wirfs vs OLB Jared Verse
Wirfs has had some ups and downs this season after coming back from injury to start the season, and he’ll have his hands full on Sunday with the Rams, Jared Verse. The second-year edge rusher has been a monster this season with 49 pressures, 4.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. He’s created three interceptions off his pressures and has been equally stout in the run game.
Wirfs is still the premier left tackle in the game, and these are matchups to look forward to, but he’ll need to be at his best to mitigate the impact Verse can bring. If he can, it will go a long way toward establishing a pocket for Mayfield to work from and lanes for the Bucs' running backs to run behind. In the process, it will greatly increase the Bucs' chances of winning.
WR Emeka Egbuka vs CB Darious Williams
Chris Godwin’s return spells good news for Egbuka as, hopefully, the rookie standout will receive fewer double teams on Sunday. Egbuka has lit up the stat sheet in his rookie season in the NFL. However, his numbers have come back down to earth a bit since Mike Evans went on injured reserve. He’ll need a similar game to the one he had in Week 5 for the Bucs to have a shot at the upset.
However, it won’t come easily. Egbuka will draw Williams for most of the game. The physical, undersized cornerback is part of a Rams secondary that has held opposing receivers under 50 yards in six of their 10 games. The veteran corner will rely on his experience and likely try to jam Egbuka off the line to try to throw him off his game.
C Graham Barton vs NT Poona Ford
Barton has been much better in recent weeks, but he will have another difficult test going up against a loaded Rams defensive interior. The bulk of his work will come against Poona Ford, but he’ll also see work against Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner. Ford isn’t just a one-trick nose tackle. The veteran defensive lineman has 15 pressures on the season with a sack and a quarterback hit. He’s been tremendous against the run with 15 stops and an 84.3 run defense grade.
Over his last three game, Barton has allowed just three pressure and has been a big part of the turn around in the run game. He posted his highest run blocking grade of the season last week when the Bucs rushing attack exploded for over 200 yards on the ground. With Ben Bredeson sidelined Barton will need to handle Ford to allow the backups guards to focus on Fiske and Turner.
OLB Yaya Diaby vs LT Alaric Jackson
Diaby is in the midst of a breakout season with 36 pressures and six sacks. However, he needs to do more. Diaby has yet to take over a game, and if any game were one to turn it up, it would be this one. Without Haason Reddick opposite him, Diaby has seen an increase in double teams and chips but needs to battle through that to put effective pressure on MAtthew Stafford.
Standing in his way will be Jackson. The veteran tackle and Tristan Wirfs’ college teammate has been solid this season. He boasts an 80.1 offensive grade and has been an elite run blocker for the Rams offense, clearing the way for Kyren Williams. He’s been above average as a pass blocker, but there's an area to take advantage of there. He’s allowed 26 pressures, six hits, and three sacks this season, and whether the Bucs are in this game or not will rely heavily on the pressure Diaby can apply.
S Antoine Winfield Jr. vs QB Matthew Stafford
The Bucs have been burned in the past by this matchup, and although they’ve since avenged their heartbreaking 2022 playoff loss, Winfield Jr. is sure to carry that feeling with him. He knows how dangerous Stafford can be, especially when the Bucs send pressure and it doesn’t get home. In what should be a fun cat-and-mouse game, this matchup might be one of the most important of the game.
Stafford has been one of the most successful quarterbacks in the NFL when faced with pressure, and that hasn’t changed this year. The veteran quarterback has seen pressure on 32.4% of his dropback and has shown his resolve with a 98.2% passer rating when under duress. Stafford doesn’t panic and rarely turns the ball over, with just two interceptions to 27 touchdowns while faced with pressure. Winfield will need to ensure he and his fellow defensive backs are sound in their assignments when the Bucs bring the blitz, or Stafford will surely take advantage.