The last two Super Bowl champions square off on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Los Angeles Rams in a rematch from their Divisional Round playoff game last season.
Both teams have been a shadow of their former selves so far in 2022, with LA sitting at 3-4, losing 31-14 to the San Francisco 49ers a week ago, while Tampa are 3-5, falling 27-22 in their previous encounter versus the Baltimore Ravens.
Match preview
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When you talk about an underwhelming team in the NFL this season, the Bucs have to be near the top of that list as the NFC South champions from 2021 have dropped three consecutive contests.
So far in 2022, they rank fifth in the league when it comes to passing, averaging 271 yards per game, while we could see them attempt several play-action passes on Sunday, as they sit 11th in that department this season, with the Rams 26th when it comes to defending those plays.
Perhaps the most perplexing statistic for Tampa this year is that they have allowed the lowest pressure rating in the NFL this year, though they are 21st in total yards offensively.
On the opposite side, they have been able to get their share of pressure on opposing pivots, producing the third-most sacks in the NFL (25), with a 23.8% pressure rating and a 33.3 blitz percentage.
While they have been relatively solid defending the pass in 2022, last week was not their most impressive showing, as they allowed 10 catches to tight ends for 114 yards and a major score.
Todd Bowles has virtually abandoned the run with the second-fewest rushing attempts this season, while they have allowed 4.8 yards per carry against the run, tied for 23rd in the NFL.
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Since their opening game, Sean McVay's LA Rams have rarely impressed, scoring an NFC-low 118 points after seven games.
The Rams have allowed the fifth-fewest yards defensively per game this year (310.9), but they have struggled in the secondary, allowing a QB rating of 95.1 and a completion percentage of 68.8.
During this campaign, they have left their quarterback high and dry, allowing 24 sacks and a 33.2% pressure rating, though LA were better last week, conceding just two sacks to the 49ers.
Not only has the offensive line had trouble protecting their pivot, but their running game has been non-existent, with LA attempting the fewest rushing plays this year.
Los Angeles possesses perhaps the best receiver in the game, but they have rarely been able to hit him for big plays down the field, as the Rams have only completed five deep passes this season, the third-fewest in the NFL.
McVay probably wishes he could have convinced Von Miller to stay as his team have been dismal in the pass rush this season, ranked 29th in pressure rating.
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Team News
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The G.O.A.T., aka Tom Brady, is having his worst statistical season with the Buccaneers, accumulating a passer rating of just 92.4, Leonard Fournette averaged just 2.7 yards per carry last week, though Mike Evans had a big outing, catching six passes for 123 yards and Julio Jones caught his first TD pass with his new team.
Devin White is their leading tackler with 63 so far in 2022, while Kyle Rudolph has rarely been utilized in pass-catching situations, with just two receptions for 20 yards as the Bucs continue to search for a reliable tight end who can take the place of the retired Rob Gronkowski.
Shaq Mason saw limited practice time on Thursday because of an ankle sprain, Russell Gage has an issue with his hamstring, Akiem Hicks looks to have recovered from a problem in his foot and Cameron Brate has a neck injury.
Matthew Stafford has taken 24 sacks this season, faced a pressure rating of 33.2%, and has been heavily reliant on Cooper Kupp, who has averaged 98 yards per game through the air, while Cam Akers has only managed 151 yards on 51 carries.
Jalen Ramsey has only allowed three touchdown catches in the secondary this year, Aaron Donald has four sacks, six shy of maintaining his streak of 10+ per season, while Allen Robinson put together his best outing as a Ram last week, with five catches for 54 yards.
Brian Allen saw limited action at practice on Thursday as he and Van Jefferson are struggling to recover from knee problems, Ernest Jones did not practice due to an illness and Jake Hummel has a hip injury.
Head To Head
These teams saved their best for last in the Divisional Round last season, as Evans and Fournette had fourth-quarter touchdowns, but Matt Gay connected on three field goals, including the game-winner as time expired, enabling the Rams to come out victorious, eventually capturing the Super Bowl.
LA have won the last three encounters versus Tampa Bay and they lead the all-time series against them by a count of 19-9.
We say: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 22-20 Los Angeles Rams
These are perhaps the two most disappointing teams in the NFL this season, as neither have been particularly efficient in moving the ball.
Time may be catching up to Brady, but he always seems to find a way to come back, and he should have a lot more time to find his big-play receivers against a defensive line that, outside of Donald, do not present much of a threat.
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