On Sunday, November 23, the Los Angeles Rams host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a Week 12 Sunday Night Football showdown. We’re diving into all of the primetime NFL games this season and this one is no different. So keep reading for a Buccaneers vs. Rams betting preview. Also, make sure you head over to our Week 12 NFL Betting Hub for a look at all of our NFL betting content.
MORE: Head to the Pro Picks page for best bets from all of our VSiN hosts and analysts!
How To Watch Buccaneers vs. Rams
When: Sunday, November 23 at 8:20 pm ET
Where: SoFI Stadium in Inglewood, California
Channel: NBC
Buccaneers vs. Rams Odds
Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook as of Friday, November 21. Look around for the best prices!
Moneyline: Rams -310, Buccaneers +250
Spread: Rams -6.5 (-105), Buccaneers +6.5 (-115)
Total: Over 49.5 (-112), Under 49.5 (-108)
Buccaneers vs. Rams Analysis
The Rams come into this week on a five-game winning streak, and they just earned a 21-19 win over the Seahawks. A pretty good argument can be made that Los Angeles is the best team in football, and the Super Bowl odds certainly support that. The Rams are currently the betting favorites to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy. This Rams team is sixth in the NFL in EPA per play (0.129) and second in EPA per play allowed (-0.104). There isn’t a team in the league with Los Angeles’ balance, and there’s a lot that suggests the Rams will show up against the Buccaneers.
There’s a pretty big gap between these teams when looking at the running game. Tampa Bay is just 21st in the NFL in Rush EPA per play (-0.070), and Bucky Irving will be out once again this week. Meanwhile, Los Angeles is second in the NFL in Rush EPA per play allowed (-0.104). There’s just a very good chance that the Bucs won’t be able to get anything going on the ground. Meanwhile, the Rams should be able to turn in a good performance on the ground. Tampa Bay was one of the better rushing defenses in the league for the first half of the season, but things have been trending downwards there. Well, Sean McVay is an offensive genius. He’s going to see what others teams did to gash the Buccaneers on the ground, then he’ll find a way to replicate that success.
Both of the quarterbacks are great in this game. Baker Mayfield, who spent some time with the Rams, is having a great season. Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford looks like the frontrunner to win Most Valuable Player. But the big difference in this game is that Los Angeles should be able to dominate the line of scrimmage. Also, Stafford has his full suite of wide receivers here, even though Tyler Higbee is missing at the tight end spot. Mayfield doesn’t have that luxury. Tampa is still without Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan. Plus, Chris Godwin, who recently returned, understandably isn’t looking much like himself just yet.
It just shouldn’t surprise anybody if Los Angeles has a much easier time moving the sticks in this one. And that should be expected with Tampa Bay being nowhere near 100% healthy.
However, the Buccaneers are 13-7 against the spread as road underdogs under Todd Bowles, and Mayfield is one of the sport’s ultimate competitors. That makes it a little hard to buy into the Rams — especially with LA being only 28-28-2 ATS as home favorites under McVay.
Buccaneers vs. Rams Player Props
Davante Adams Over 59.5 Receiving Yards (-114)
Adams only had one catch for eight yards last week, but that was against an elite Seahawks defense — and he did find the end zone there. Against a very beatable Buccaneers secondary, I think Adams bounces back with at least 60 receiving yards. Adams had gone for at least 60 in back-to-back games before the meeting with Seattle, and he has also racked up eight touchdowns over the last four games. He’s really playing some good football for the Rams, and I expect that to continue here. Adams’ matchup with Benjamin Morrison should be a favorable one for him — especially compared to Puka Nacua’s matchup with Zyon McCollum. This game could also be pretty high in scoring, so there’s a chance Stafford will be letting it rip. And the OptaAI player prop projections also happen to like Adams to go for 86.39 receiving yards. That’s a nice cherry on top with the handicap.
Buccaneers vs. Rams Pick
It’s rare that I write up a primetime game and don’t talk myself into a side or a total, but this is a tough game to call. Los Angeles is a better team than Tampa Bay, but I’m not comfortable laying the points against a Mayfield team. That said, I’m just sticking with the prop play I like here, which calls for Adams to finish with at least 60 receiving yards.
Bet: Adams Over 59.5 Receiving Yards (-114)
