When the Buccaneers play the LA Rams, it’s always been a high scorer

Television networks just love it when the NFL schedule drops a great game into their laps. In fact, after the first six weeks or so, producers begin to flex their might and force the NFL to reschedule the timing of games to ensure the most dramatic events are showcased on prime-time television. So you can bet that the producers at Fox Sports were ecstatic when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were ranked number one, and the LA Rams were ranked number two, prior to their Week 3 clash at SoFi Stadium.

This one has all of the ingredients for great television. The coast-to-coast national audience, elite players, and two top NFL teams meeting for what many believe to be a precursor to the 2021 NFL Playoffs. And then there are those two high octane offenses, led by visiting quarterback Tom Brady, who faces off against home-field quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Many expect this one to be an all-out shootout, courtesy of those two quarterbacks.

But history shows that when the Buccaneers face the LA Rams, neither team does much in terms of defense. In fact, thanks to the research done by Lineups.com, the past three Bucs and Rams games have averaged just under 72 points per game. Of that history, Tom Brady had played in one game. Matthew Stafford has yet to play for the Rams against the Buccaneers.

On September 25, 2016, the LA Rams traveled to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and won by a score of 37-32. Three years later, on September 29, 2019, the Buccaneers traveled to Los Angeles and returned the favor, winning by a score of 55-40. A year ago, on September 23, 2020, the Rams once more traveled and defeated the Buccaneers on the road by a score of 27-24.

The Over/Under in those contests?

2016 – Over/Under 40 points – Total score 69 points
2019 – Over/Under 49 points – Total score 95 points
2020 – Over/Under 48.5 points – Total score 51 points
2021 – Over/Under 55.5 points – Total score ?? points

In 2016, it was quarterback Case Keenum who threw for two touchdowns and Todd Gurley who rushed for two scores that turned the day to the Rams, over Jameis Winston’s three-touchdown performance. In 2019, it was Winston’s four TD strikes that overcame the Rams and the two TD three-interception performance of LA Rams quarterback Jared Goff. Last year, both Goff and Brady threw for two interceptions, but it was Goff who threw three touchdowns that made the difference.

This year, two of the NFL’s best quarterbacks – Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford – will try to lead their respective teams to victory. But history proves that it doesn’t really matter who lines up under center. This is going to be an offensive shootout. Nothing personal, Tom or Matthew. It’s just that the game is bigger than the player in this one.