5 Bold Predictions: St. Louis Rams Vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sep 7, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh McCown (12) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Carolina Panthers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-14. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

With the dismal season opener in the rearview, the St. Louis Rams now have their sight firmly set on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were similarly embarrassed in Week 1. Much like last season, following their Week 4 loss, the Rams will likely consider this a “new season,” with a fresh chance at starting out the year on a positive note. That will mean stealing a win from another young, struggling team, the Buccaneers, on the road in arid, Caribbean-esque temperatures. We’ve already pumped out our game previews, key matchups, and players to watch this evening. That leaves only our “bold predications” for the game, which might not have to be so “bold” considering the low bar set by the Rams last week. After putting on the psychic hat and taking a long took into the crystal ball, here are our five bold predictions for the game.

Rams will win the “sack battle,” recording more sacks on defense than the Rams offense will allow

Last week, the Rams got obliterated in this category, allowing five sacks, and only managing one; which, after being review by the NFL, was taken away and deemed a “broken play.” This week, they’ll be facing another top-notch defensive line, headed by perennial All-Pro defensive tackle, Gerald McCoy. However, there are two factors in the Rams favor this weekend. First, the Buccaneers top two defensive ends, Adrian Clayborn and Michael Johsnon, will not be dressed today. Secondly, the Buccaneers offensive line is not on the same planet as the Minnesota Vikings, in terms of talent.

St. Louis’ backfield will get 30+ rushing attempts

If you look at the box score at the end of the day and see that Zac Stacy and Benny Cunningham took less than 20 attempts, you can almost guarantee that the St. Louis Rams lost the game. Last week, the duo managed a mere 16 combined rushing attempts, the majority coming in the second half after Brian Schottenheimer inevitably got an ear-chewing at halftime from Jeff Fisher. With Austin Davis likely to get his first NFL start, expect the Rams to rely heavily on the run game and pound the football at the Buccaneers weakened defensive line.

Brian Quick and Kenny Britt will have more combined receiving yards and touchdowns than Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson

Last week, Brian Quick alone managed more yards than Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans combined, despite playing against a markedly better Minnesota Vikings defensive unit. While no one should rightfully expect another near-100 yard performance, it would not be surprising to see the Rams tall duo beat out the Bucs taller duo today. The Rams will need EJ Gaines and Janoris Jenkins to be in top form today, and lean on their defensive line to harass Josh McCown. In the end, the starting A.F.R.O.S. should win this one handily.

A non-secondary defender will lead the St. Louis Rams in tackles

For much of the preseason, as well as the season opener, the St. Louis Rams defensive backs have regularly led the team in tackles. Rodney McLeod was the man of the game in Week 1, with T.J. McDonald and Janoris Jenkins right on his heels. If the Rams plan on stopping Doug Martin on the Tampa Bay rushing attack, they will need their first- and second-level defenders to step up and produce to their talent level. If the secondary is leading the team in tackles it means a) the Rams are not getting to the quarterback quickly enough (i.e. too many completions), b) Doug Martin is making it to the second- and third-levels of the defense, or c) both. St. Louis’ front-four should control the line of scrimmage today, which should keep Alec Ogletree and James Laurinaitis clean enough to rack up the tackles.

The St. Louis Rams will win. Period.

After last week, this is as bold of a prediction as we can offer. Luckily, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a team that simply hasn’t gelled yet under new head coach, Lovie Smith, which could set up the Rams for their first win of the season. The positives for St. Louis are that they a) beat the Bucs last season with Kellen Clemens as their quarterbacks and b) handily beat the Chicago Bears when Josh McCown was their sign callers. Hopefully, they repeat one of those two performances this evening.

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