5 Keys To Victory: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs St. Louis Rams

Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports

After a blowout loss to Minnesota in week one, the Rams travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers. The Rams are already being depleted by injury, but this game is certainly winnable. Here are Ramblin’ Fan’s 5 Keys to Victoy for week two of the NFL regular season:

1.) A healthy Shaun Hill

Without question, Hill is the best option at quarterback for the Rams. He is currently listed as questionable after suffering a quadriceps injury last week against the Vikings. If he is unable to go, QB Austin Davis will have his work cut out for him against an improving Tampa Bay defense.

2.) Re-establish the run

The Rams rushed 22 times for 72 yards last week. RB Zac Stacy had a measly 11 carries and RB Benny Cunningham only had five. I’d like to see those rushing attempts double this week. With flimsy quarterback play, it will be paramount for the running game to get some traction. The Bucs are without starting DE’s Michael Johnson and Adrian Clayborn, which should allow some running lanes to open up on the outside.

3.) Double Gerald McCoy

McCoy can collapse the pocket by himself if he’s left with one-on-one match-ups. Whoever ends up starting at the two guard spots must keep him out of the backfield if they want to establish any kind of rhythm offensively. Hopefully G Roger Saffold will be fully healed from the injury that took him out of the game against the Vikings.

4.) William Hayes

With DE Chris Long having ankly surgery, Hayes fills in as the full time left defensive end. He is more than capable of stepping up in the meantime, and if he can get pressure off the edge the Rams should be able to create havoc for Tampa Bay. Hayes will be matched up with 6-foot-9-inch RT Demar Dotson.

5.) Smother Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans

Now that TE Tim Wright is in New England, QB Josh McCown will rely more heavily on his two big-bodied receivers on the outside. The Bucs will no doubt be taking some deep shots down field, and safeties T.J. McDonald and Rodney McCleod will need to help their corners over the top.

Check back after the game to see our Keys to Victory: Revisited.