Matthew Stafford finally has his first career playoff win under his belt, but getting a second won't be easy as the L.A. Rams are headed to Tampa Bay to face Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.
The NFC divisional playoff round is headed to Tampa Bay on Sunday. The defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers will host the L.A. Rams. The Bucs earned the NFC’s second seed, but with no first-round bye they were forced to host the Eagles in the wild-card round and cruised to a 31-15 victory. The Rams made it this far by taking out Arizona 34-11 last week.
Tampa Bay is a 3-point favourite to win on the NFL odds, with a total of 48.0.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
L.A. is 7-1 straight up in their last eight games against the Buccaneers, including a 34-24 Week 3 win this year. In that game Matthew Stafford passed for 343 yards and four TDs, DeSean Jackson had 120 receiving yards and a touchdown and Cooper Kupp added 96 receiving yards and two TDs for the Rams. Tom Brady passed for 432 yards and a touchdown and added another score on the ground for Tampa. Mike Evans picked up 106 receiving yards.
Early betting action is closely split, with the Rams favoured by about 55 per cent of Sports Interaction bettors. The last five meetings between these teams have finished above the number, leading to about 81 per cent of action taking the Over for this one.
L.A. has been comfortable on the road this season, winning seven of nine games away from SoFi Stadium. Counting last week, they’re an even 9-9 against the spread overall and have covered in five of their last seven games. The total has gone Over in four of L.A.’s last six games against NFC South teams.
The Bucs have been tough to beat in Florida. Dating back last year, Tampa Bay has won 11 of their last 12 home games. They’re 10-8 ATS overall this season and they’ve covered in seven of their last nine home games. The total has gone Under in six of Tampa’s last seven games against NFC teams.
Los Angeles Rams
Stafford had a season-low 17 pass attempts last week, but he was effective in his first career playoff win. He completed 13 passes for 202 yards and two TDs and added a score on the ground. The game was essentially over at the half, with the Rams ahead 21-0 at the break. Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr. both looked sharp and caught touchdown passes. Kupp will be a key piece of L.A.’s offensive attack on Sunday. The wide receiver led the league in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947) and receiving TDs (16).
Defensively, the Rams will need big games from Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey and Von Miller to slow down Brady. There were a few calls for Donald, who recorded 12.5 sacks this season, to be suspended after it looked like he attempted to choke D.J. Humphries last week, but the worst discipline he would likely receive is a fine. Miller had one of his best performances in a Rams uniform against the Cardinals, finishing with six tackles and a sack.
The key injury to monitor for L.A. is left tackle Andrew Whitworth, who missed most of last week’s game with a knee/ankle injury. There hasn’t been much of an update on Whitworth other than to say he’s considered day-to-day.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs looked sharp last week and dominated the Eagles. Brady, one of the front-runners for the MVP, finished with 271 passing yards and two TDs. He’s continued to turn back the clock this season, leading the NFL in passing yards (5,316), touchdowns (43), attempts (719) and completions (485). With running backs Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones II both missing last week with injuries, Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Giovani Bernard stepped up, combining for 97 yards and two TDs on 30 carries.
You wouldn’t know it by looking at last week’s game, but Tampa Bay has been decimated by injuries. Fournette (hamstring) and Jones (ankle) have both practiced this week, but are listed as questionable. The team is already without Chris Godwin (ACL) and Antonio Brown, who left the team. That puts a heavier workload on Evans, who finished with 117 receiving yards and a TD last week.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Rams vs. Buccaneers?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 18 Jan 4:46am | LAR | -3 -103 | O +48 -115 |
Closing 23 Jan 7:55pm | LAR | -2.5 -110 | O +48 -115 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Rams Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
16 |
Rushing |
845 |
Passing |
4886 |
Receiving |
145 |
Sacks |
12.5 |
Interceptions |
4 |
Touchdowns |
14 |
Rushing |
812 |
Passing |
5316 |
Receiving |
98 |
Sacks |
10 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Touchdowns |
6 |
Rushing |
172 |
Passing |
1188 |
Receiving |
33 |
Sacks |
4 |
Interceptions |
1 |
Touchdowns |
2 |
Rushing |
53 |
Passing |
600 |
Receiving |
17 |
Sacks |
1 |
Interceptions |
1 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Buccaneers Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
16 |
Rushing |
845 |
Passing |
4886 |
Receiving |
145 |
Sacks |
12.5 |
Interceptions |
4 |
Touchdowns |
14 |
Rushing |
812 |
Passing |
5316 |
Receiving |
98 |
Sacks |
10 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Touchdowns |
6 |
Rushing |
172 |
Passing |
1188 |
Receiving |
33 |
Sacks |
4 |
Interceptions |
1 |
Touchdowns |
2 |
Rushing |
53 |
Passing |
600 |
Receiving |
17 |
Sacks |
1 |
Interceptions |
1 |
Weather

temp | 52 |
condition | cloudy |
wind | West 10mph |
Injuries
Odell Beckham Jr. (WR)
Andrew Whitworth (OL)
Van Jefferson (WR)
Grant Haley (DB)
Cam Akers (RB)
Tyler Higbee (TE)
Greg Gaines (DL)
John Wolford (QB)
Van Jefferson (WR)
Joe Noteboom (OL)
Lavonte David (LB)
Mike Edwards (S)
Jason Pierre-Paul (LB)
Josh Wells (T)
Giovani Bernard (RB)
Breshad Perriman (WR)
Carlton Davis (CB)
Jamel Dean (CB)
Mike Edwards (S)
Mike Evans (WR)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Odell Beckham Jr. (WR) | day-to-day | Knee - 13 / 02 / 22 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Beckham Jr. exited Sunday's game with a left knee injury, and it is unknown if he will return. |
|||||
Andrew Whitworth (OL) | Prob Sun | Quadricep - 04 / 02 / 22 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Whitworth has a quad injury, but it is determined that he will partake in the 2022 Super Bowl versus the Bengals. |
|||||
Van Jefferson (WR) | Prob Sun | Knee - 02 / 02 / 22 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Jefferson is hindered by a knee injury, but it is likely that he will suit up for the 2022 Super Bowl versus the Bengals. |
|||||
Grant Haley (DB) | Prob Sun | Quadricep - 02 / 02 / 22 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Haley has a quad injury, but it is unlikely to change his status for Super Bowl 56 versus the Bengals. |
|||||
Cam Akers (RB) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 30 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Akers is hampered by a shoulder injury, but it is likely that he will be available for Super Bowl 56 versus the Bengals. |
|||||
Tyler Higbee (TE) | I-R | Knee - 30 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Higbee has been added to the injured reverse list due to an MCL sprain. |
|||||
Greg Gaines (DL) | Prob Sun | Toe - 27 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Gaines is bothered by a toe injury, but it is not likely to affect his status for the NFC championship game versus the 49ers. |
|||||
John Wolford (QB) | Prob Sun | Illness - 27 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Wolford is ailing from an illness, but it is likely that he will take on the 49ers in the NFC championship game. |
|||||
Van Jefferson (WR) | Prob Sun | Knee - 26 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Jefferson is managing a knee injury, but he is likely to play against the 49ers in the NFC championship game. |
|||||
Joe Noteboom (OL) | I-R | Pectoral - 25 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Noteboom has been added to the injured reserve list due to a pectoral strain. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lavonte David (LB) | Ques Sun | Foot - 19 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
David is nursing a foot injury, and it is undecided if he will partake in the NFC divisional round versus the Rams. |
|||||
Mike Edwards (S) | Prob Sun | Elbow - 19 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Edwards is projected to participate in the NFC divisional round against the Rams despite an elbow injury. |
|||||
Jason Pierre-Paul (LB) | Ques Sun | Personal - 19 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Pierre-Paul is tending to a personal matter, and it has yet to be established if he will line up for the NFC divisional round versus the Rams. |
|||||
Josh Wells (T) | Ques Sun | Quadricep - 19 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Wells is managing a quad issue, and it remains to be seen if he will take the field against the Rams in the NFC divisional round. |
|||||
Giovani Bernard (RB) | Prob Sun | Hip - 19 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Bernard has injuries to his hip and knee, but it is anticipated that he will line up for the NFC divisional round versus the Rams. |
|||||
Breshad Perriman (WR) | Out Sun | Abdominal - 19 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Perriman has injuries to his abdomen and hip, and it will affect his status for the NFC divisional round versus the Rams. |
|||||
Carlton Davis (CB) | Prob Sun | Back - 14 / 01 / 22 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Davis is battling a back injury, but it is projected that he will partake in the NFC wild-card game versus the Eagles. |
|||||
Jamel Dean (CB) | Prob Sun | Hamstring - 12 / 01 / 22 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Dean has a hamstring injury, but it is not expected to affect his availability against the Eagles in the NFC wild-card game. |
|||||
Mike Edwards (S) | Ques Sun | Hamstring - 12 / 01 / 22 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Edwards is nursing a hamstring injury, and it is undetermined if he will face the Eagles in the NFC wild-card game. |
|||||
Mike Evans (WR) | Prob Sun | Hamstring - 12 / 01 / 22 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Edwards is nursing a hamstring injury, but it is anticipated that he will face the Eagles in the NFC wild-card game. |
-
LOS ANGELES RAMS
13 -
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
27
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 18 Jan 4:46am LAR -3 -103 O +48 -115 Closing 23 Jan 7:55pm LAR -2.5 -110 O +48 -115 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Rams Team Leaders
Touchdowns 16
Rushing 845
Passing 4886
Receiving 145
Sacks 12.5
Interceptions 4
Touchdowns 14
Rushing 812
Passing 5316
Receiving 98
Sacks 10
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 6
Rushing 172
Passing 1188
Receiving 33
Sacks 4
Interceptions 1
Touchdowns 2
Rushing 53
Passing 600
Receiving 17
Sacks 1
Interceptions 1
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Buccaneers Team Leaders
Touchdowns 16
Rushing 845
Passing 4886
Receiving 145
Sacks 12.5
Interceptions 4
Touchdowns 14
Rushing 812
Passing 5316
Receiving 98
Sacks 10
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 6
Rushing 172
Passing 1188
Receiving 33
Sacks 4
Interceptions 1
Touchdowns 2
Rushing 53
Passing 600
Receiving 17
Sacks 1
Interceptions 1
-
Weather
temp 52 condition cloudy wind West 10mph -
Injuries
Odell Beckham Jr. (WR)
day-to-day Knee - 13 / 02 / 22Andrew Whitworth (OL)
Prob Sun Quadricep - 04 / 02 / 22Van Jefferson (WR)
Prob Sun Knee - 02 / 02 / 22Grant Haley (DB)
Prob Sun Quadricep - 02 / 02 / 22Cam Akers (RB)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 30 / 01 / 22Tyler Higbee (TE)
I-R Knee - 30 / 01 / 22Greg Gaines (DL)
Prob Sun Toe - 27 / 01 / 22John Wolford (QB)
Prob Sun Illness - 27 / 01 / 22Van Jefferson (WR)
Prob Sun Knee - 26 / 01 / 22Joe Noteboom (OL)
I-R Pectoral - 25 / 01 / 22Lavonte David (LB)
Ques Sun Foot - 19 / 01 / 22Mike Edwards (S)
Prob Sun Elbow - 19 / 01 / 22Jason Pierre-Paul (LB)
Ques Sun Personal - 19 / 01 / 22Josh Wells (T)
Ques Sun Quadricep - 19 / 01 / 22Giovani Bernard (RB)
Prob Sun Hip - 19 / 01 / 22Breshad Perriman (WR)
Out Sun Abdominal - 19 / 01 / 22Carlton Davis (CB)
Prob Sun Back - 14 / 01 / 22Jamel Dean (CB)
Prob Sun Hamstring - 12 / 01 / 22Mike Edwards (S)
Ques Sun Hamstring - 12 / 01 / 22Mike Evans (WR)
Prob Sun Hamstring - 12 / 01 / 22Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Odell Beckham Jr. (WR) day-to-day Knee - 13 / 02 / 22 0-1 0-1 + - Beckham Jr. exited Sunday's game with a left knee injury, and it is unknown if he will return.
Andrew Whitworth (OL) Prob Sun Quadricep - 04 / 02 / 22 0-1 0-1 + - Whitworth has a quad injury, but it is determined that he will partake in the 2022 Super Bowl versus the Bengals.
Van Jefferson (WR) Prob Sun Knee - 02 / 02 / 22 0-1 0-1 + - Jefferson is hindered by a knee injury, but it is likely that he will suit up for the 2022 Super Bowl versus the Bengals.
Grant Haley (DB) Prob Sun Quadricep - 02 / 02 / 22 0-1 0-1 + - Haley has a quad injury, but it is unlikely to change his status for Super Bowl 56 versus the Bengals.
Cam Akers (RB) Prob Sun Shoulder - 30 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Akers is hampered by a shoulder injury, but it is likely that he will be available for Super Bowl 56 versus the Bengals.
Tyler Higbee (TE) I-R Knee - 30 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Higbee has been added to the injured reverse list due to an MCL sprain.
Greg Gaines (DL) Prob Sun Toe - 27 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Gaines is bothered by a toe injury, but it is not likely to affect his status for the NFC championship game versus the 49ers.
John Wolford (QB) Prob Sun Illness - 27 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Wolford is ailing from an illness, but it is likely that he will take on the 49ers in the NFC championship game.
Van Jefferson (WR) Prob Sun Knee - 26 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Jefferson is managing a knee injury, but he is likely to play against the 49ers in the NFC championship game.
Joe Noteboom (OL) I-R Pectoral - 25 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Noteboom has been added to the injured reserve list due to a pectoral strain.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Lavonte David (LB) Ques Sun Foot - 19 / 01 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - David is nursing a foot injury, and it is undecided if he will partake in the NFC divisional round versus the Rams.
Mike Edwards (S) Prob Sun Elbow - 19 / 01 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Edwards is projected to participate in the NFC divisional round against the Rams despite an elbow injury.
Jason Pierre-Paul (LB) Ques Sun Personal - 19 / 01 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Pierre-Paul is tending to a personal matter, and it has yet to be established if he will line up for the NFC divisional round versus the Rams.
Josh Wells (T) Ques Sun Quadricep - 19 / 01 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Wells is managing a quad issue, and it remains to be seen if he will take the field against the Rams in the NFC divisional round.
Giovani Bernard (RB) Prob Sun Hip - 19 / 01 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Bernard has injuries to his hip and knee, but it is anticipated that he will line up for the NFC divisional round versus the Rams.
Breshad Perriman (WR) Out Sun Abdominal - 19 / 01 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Perriman has injuries to his abdomen and hip, and it will affect his status for the NFC divisional round versus the Rams.
Carlton Davis (CB) Prob Sun Back - 14 / 01 / 22 2-0 1-1 + - Davis is battling a back injury, but it is projected that he will partake in the NFC wild-card game versus the Eagles.
Jamel Dean (CB) Prob Sun Hamstring - 12 / 01 / 22 2-0 1-1 + - Dean has a hamstring injury, but it is not expected to affect his availability against the Eagles in the NFC wild-card game.
Mike Edwards (S) Ques Sun Hamstring - 12 / 01 / 22 2-0 1-1 + - Edwards is nursing a hamstring injury, and it is undetermined if he will face the Eagles in the NFC wild-card game.
Mike Evans (WR) Prob Sun Hamstring - 12 / 01 / 22 2-0 1-1 + - Edwards is nursing a hamstring injury, but it is anticipated that he will face the Eagles in the NFC wild-card game.