The St. Louis Rams will be going on the road for the first time this season as they play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Rams will be looking to bounce back from a bad 34-6 loss at home in week one, meanwhile the Buccaneers will be looking to come back from a tough division loss to the Carolina Panthers.
The Rams and Buccaneers will play at 3:05 CT at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay. With this matchup being played outside, weather could come into play. Sunday’s forecast shows 98 degrees at game time with a 40% chance of rain.
The game will be one of the few NFC match ups that will be featured on CBS and will be announced by Dick Stockton and Kirk Morrison.
Injury Report
St. Louis Rams
CB Trumaine Johnson(Knee)-DNP-OUT
C Barrett Jones(Back)- DNP- OUT
DB Lamarcus Joyner(Back)- DNP- Questionable
DE Chris Long(Ankle)- DNP- OUT *Injured Reserve/Designated to Return
QB Shaun Hill(Thigh)- Limited- Questionable
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DL Da’Quan Bowers(Abdomen)-Full- Questionable
DE Adrian Clayborn(Elbow)- DNP- Out *Injured Reserve
T Demar Dotson(Hamstring)-Full- Probable
DE William Gholston(Shoulder)- Full- Questionable
DE Michael Johnson(Ankle)- DNP- Out
G Logan Mankins(Knee)- Full- Questionable
RB Doug Martin(Knee)-Limited- Questionable
S Bradley McDougald(Knee)- Full- Questionable
CB Rashaan Melvin(Ankle)- DNP- Out
TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins(Ankle)- DNP- Out
Players To Watch: Zac Stacy and Doug Martin
Whoever establishes the run early and is able to find success on the ground and get their running backs involved, is going to win this game. I expect this to be a defensive battle, therefore its going to be a battle of running the football and field position. It’s key that the Rams get it going early.
Matchup to Watch: Janoris Jenkins vs Vincent Jackson
Janoris Jenkins was one of the few Rams that actually had a decent game last week. This will be the first “elite” receiver that Jenkins will go up against, and it will be crucial that he contain Jackson and keep him from making big plays down the field.
Last Meeting: Rams 23 Buccaneers 13
With Mike Glennon under center, the Rams defense made things difficult for Tampa Bay. With the game tied at seven, Stedman Bailey took an end-around 23-yards for a touchdown to put the Rams up 14-7. The Rams never looked back and out the game away with three more Greg Zuerlein field goals.
Prediction: Rams 16 Buccaneers 12
I think the Rams bounce back and come out this week with a purpose. The defense takes over allowing the offense to do just what they need and not force them to score a lot of points. This is a battle of the kickers until a Zac Stacy touchdown puts the Rams up in the fourth quarter.