The Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers play Sunday in an NFC divisional round NFL playoff game.
Which team will get the victory?
Check out these NFL playoff picks and predictions for the game, which can be seen at 1 p.m. MST on NBC, Peacock and Universo.
The Buccaneers are a 2.5-point favorite in the game.
NFL playoff picks: Divisional-round games
Ben Rolfe writes: “This could not have played out much worse for the Buccaneers. The Rams have beaten them twice in the past two seasons and are perfectly set up to face the Buccaneers. The long-held knowledge of how to disrupt Brady is pressure up the middle, well the Rams have Aaron Donald to do just that. If center Ryan Jensen comes into the game limited, Brady could be in for a long day of Donald in his face. The Rams offense needs to play its part. The Eagles had a horrible offensive game plan and they were never in it against the Buccaneers. The Rams need to keep their balance on offense and provide the sort of protection they gave Stafford on Monday night. If they do, the Rams should have no problem going into Tampa Bay and upsetting the odds.”
Vinnie Iyer writes: “The Buccaneers can’t seem to shake off key injuries to their offense, as they will hope All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs (ankle) can go and running back Leonard Fournette can return, as they already hurting at wide receiver without Chris Godwin. They still are stuffing the run up front. They can cover better with their linebackers and defensive backs intact. They can also rush the passer and make other big plays on the ball with edge veterans Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul back in their 2021 playoff form. The Rams have a lot of star power but their limited in their depth and versatility around Matthew Stafford and their defensive stars. Tom Brady and the Bucs are showing laser focus, tapping into a lot of what made them Super successful in last year’s run, this time with the bonus of a second home game. Brady is less likely to make crucial mistake and more likely to come through in the clutch.”
Pete Fiutak writes: “On first thought, I was all in on the Buccaneers and their D pulling off the win no matter who they got, but they’re banged up, Tom Brady really doesn’t have his full collection of guys, and the Rams seem to have just the right blend if Matthew Stafford plays like he did against Arizona. Switching the original thought of Tampa Bay. That Ram defense is fresh and the team looks too strong. It should be a classic.”
NFL playoff odds: Divisional-round games
Action Network: Take the Buccaneers to cover vs. Rams
Brandon Anderson writes: “I’m betting Tampa all the way while we’re still at -3 or lower. The injury report will be very important, so if the line moves to -3.5 or higher (check real-time NFL odds here), I’ll need to wait to see the names for both teams. In particular, the Bucs need Wirfs and Jensen ready to go, or this whole thing could flip. But I’m optimistic they’ll be ready. I’ve been waiting to fade Stafford and the Rams in the playoffs for a month — this will be our last shot.”
Rams Wire: Rams have shined as underdogs
Cameron DaSilva writes: “This is just the third time all season that the Rams are listed as underdogs. In their other two games, they won both, beating the Cardinals in Week 14 and the Buccaneers in Week 3, easily covering the spread in each game. Needless to say, being underdogs doesn’t scare the Rams in the least bit and if this game were played on a neutral field, it would likely be a pick’em.”
Five Thirty Eight: Buccaneers have a 68% win probability
The site gives the Rams a 32% win probability in the NFL playoff game.
NFL playoff TV information: Divisional-round games
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Los Angeles Rams vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers picks, predictions playoffs