Buccaneers vs. Rams Point Spread: NFL Week 3 Odds, Prediction
The Buccaneers remained perfect with a lopsided 48-25 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2, and have now posted outright wins in 10 straight contests since Week 12 of last season. The Rams needed to play comeback in a narrow 27-24 win in Indianapolis last weekend to remain one of three unbeaten teams in the highly competitive NFC West.
Tampa Bay is a slender 1.5-point road favourite to win on the NFL odds, with a total of 56.0.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The point spread for this Week 3 matchup at SoFi Stadium has steadily moved in Tampa Bay’s favour. The Bucs opened as 1.5-point underdogs, but have powered into the negative odds since last weekend’s crushing victory over Atlanta. With both these teams perched among the highest scoring in the NFL through Week 2, the point total steadily climbed, vaulting to 56 since opening at just 52.5.
Sunday afternoon’s matchup will mark Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady’s first-ever NFL appearance in Los Angeles. Tampa Bay has lost straight up and against the spread in six of seven meetings with the Rams since 2010. High scores have been commonplace in recent meetings, with the total topping 50 during a 4-0 run for the Over in totals betting. Home underdogs have typically fared well in past meetings, winning outright in their past two clashes, and going 4-1 against the spread in the past five.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Brady has shown no signs of slowing down in the early going of the 2021 NFL campaign. He’s powered the Buccaneers’ fast start with nine scoring passes, capped by a spectacular five-touchdown performance in Week 2. The Tampa Bay defence also played a key role in sealing last week’s victory. The Buccaneers limited Atlanta rushers to just 55 total yards last weekend, while a pair of pick-sixes by Mike Edwards in the final frame snuffed out any hope of a Falcons comeback. But while the focus has been on Brady’s exploits, it is important not to overlook that Tampa Bay ranks a middling 21st overall in points allowed so far this season.
Los Angeles Rams
Dominant in a season-opening 34-14 win over the visiting Chicago Bears, the Rams had their hands full last weekend in Indianapolis. Los Angeles appeared to have things in hand early on while shutting down a pair of Colts drives into the red zone. However, the Rams needed to turn to veteran pivot Matthew Stafford to bail them out with a pair of scoring drives in the fourth quarter to get the win. Los Angeles can ill afford to allow such a letdown against the high scoring Buccaneers, in what is likely to develop into a high-scoring seesaw battle.
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