3 NFC Teams that can prevent LA Rams from returning to the SB

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – + 300

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFC South Division have arguably the best chance at beating the LA Rams and keeping them out of the Super Bowl. That was not the case just a few months ago when Tom Brady announced his retirement.  With Brady now un-retired and at the helm once again, he begins his third season with the Buccaneers, as he pursues his eighth Super Bowl title and second with the Bucs.

The last time these two teams met in the playoffs, the LA Rams marched out to a 27 – 3 in the third quarter, only to squander that lead through a series of huge mistakes that nearly gave that victory away.  Thankfully, Matthew Stafford drove the LA Rams 63 yards in 42 seconds.  The result? He set up former Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Matt Gay to kick the game-winning field goal.

Both of these teams return most of their key players.  For the Rams, the loss of veteran outside linebacker Von Miller in free agency could prove costly.  The only sure way to stop Brady is to get after him and keep him from getting into a rhythm.  Let’s not forget though that the LA Rams still have the best defensive player in the NFL with Aaron Donald.

The Rams roster has some new wrinkles

The team can still bring pressure with OLB Leonard Floyd and brought in ILB Bobby Wagner via free agency too.  The LA Rams also did well by signing veteran WR Allen Robinson to bolster the receiving corps after losing WR Robert Woods and possibly WR Odell Beckham Jr., who remains unsigned.

The Buccaneers upgrade their receiving corps in 2022, signing WR Russell Gage away from another NFC team, the Falcons, to join WR Mike Evans and WR Chris Godwin. Their roster was dealt a blow when the Buffalo Bills signed away tight end O.J. Howard in free agency. TE Rob Gronkowski elected to retire. Of course, he could unretire to return for one more season, just like his buddy, QB Tom Brady.  For now, that leaves TE  Cameron Brate for an opportunity to be the lead tight end in an otherwise lackluster group.

The Bucs could potentially be without Ndamukong Suh and Jason Pierre-Paul, as neither of these defensive linemen has resigned; however, they did sign, through free agency, defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, from the Chicago Bears.  They also re-signed DE William Gholston.

At the end of the day, as long as Tom Brady is under center, this Tampa Bay team has the potential to beat anyone and make their second Super Bowl appearance in three years.