As the Los Angeles Rams continue their quest toward an NFC West title, quarterback Matthew Stafford continues his MVP-like campaign.
Both will be on display in primetime, as they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at SoFi Stadium.
Stafford leads the NFL with 27 touchdown passes this season versus just two interceptions. Stafford can join Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers as the only players in NFL history with at least 30 touchdown passes and five or fewer interceptions in their team’s first 11 games.
The Buccaneers, meanwhile, are clinging to first place in the NFC South, with the Panthers close behind. The Bucs bring a 4-2 road record to Los Angeles.
Here’s a quick glance at Sunday’s game:
LAST TIME OUT: Rams defeated Seattle, 21-19; Buccaneers lost at Buffalo, 44-32.
LAST MEETING: Buccaneers defeated Los Angeles,16-13, on Nov. 6, 2022.
VEGAS LINE (courtesy Westgate): Rams -6.5, -108, O/U 49.5
BETTING TRENDS: Since opening the season 5-1 SU and 4-2 ATS, the Buccaneers are mired in 1-3 skids both SU and ATS. Tampa Bay has gone over in six of eight. The Rams roll into this one on winning runs of 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS. Los Angeles has stayed low in four of its last five.
RAMS KEY PLAYERS: Stafford passed for 130 yards and two touchdowns versus no interceptions last week. He ranks sixth in passing yards (2,557) and is one of two quarterbacks with 27 or more passing touchdowns and two or fewer interceptions through the first 10 games of a season. He’s aiming for his 11th straight game with a TD pass. … RB Kyren Williams rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown last week. He has 50 or more scrimmage yards in 38 straight games, the longest active streak in the NFL. Williams is aiming for his fourth straight with a rushing TD. … WR Puka Nacua turned in 93 scrimmage yards (75 receiving, 18 rushing) last week. He ranks fourth in the league with 850 receiving yards this season, and has a receiving TD in two of his past three games, and 75 or more receiving yards in seven games this season.
PROP TO WATCH: Kyren Williams anytime TD scorer (-155).
It’ll cost us some juice, but it’s worth it whenever the Rams are in action. The Bucs aren’t the most stringent defense against the rush, so it’s possible Williams breaks free for one, if not getting the Rams points when they get in the red zone. Tampa Bay has allowed 12 scores via ground delivery, and it’s a good bet that Williams would be the culprit tonight. Williams has five rushing scores and two more receiving TDs the last six games.
BUCCANEERS KEY PLAYERS: QB Baker Mayfield passed for 173 yards, one TD and an INT while adding 39 yards rushing with a TD last week. He has a TD pass in nine of his past 10 games and comes in ranked tied for fourth in the NFC with 17 pass TDs and sixth in passing yards (2,365). … RB Sean Tucker had a team-high 140 scrimmage yards (106 rushing, 34 receiving) and a career-high three TDs (2 rushing, 1 receiving) in Week 11. He is aiming for his third in a row on the road with a rushing TD. … WR Emeka Egbuka ranks first among rookies with six receiving touchdowns and second in receiving yards (717).
PROP TO WATCH: Sean Tucker anytime TD scorer (+175).
Tucker is a perfect go-to when the Bucs get inside the 10-yard line, as he can power one in with all eyes focused elsewhere. Considering his road streak with TDs, this is a value number to grab him for a score.
