NFL 49ERS, PACKERS
RAMS (12-5) VS. BUCCANEERS (13-4) When:
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Notable injury designations: Rams: LT Andrew Whitworth (knee) and S Taylor Rapp (concussion) are out; RB Buddy Howell (hamstring) is doubtful. Bucs: RB Ronald Jones (ankle) and WR Breshad Perriman (hip/abdomen) are out; WR Cyril Grayson (hamstring), RT Tristan Wirfs (ankle), C Ryan Jensen (ankle), OLB Jason Pierre-Paul (personal reasons) and CB Sean MurphyBunting (hanstring) are questionable.
What’s at stake?: Having made the Cardinals look like playoff imposters, the Rams go on the road and face a real challenge, trying to knock out the defending Super Bowl champions. If they do, the Rams will advance to the NFC title game for the second time in four years. Tom Brady and the Bucs aim to get closer to being the first repeat Super Bowl winners since Brady and the Patriots in the 2003 and 2004 seasons.
Who’s better?: This season’s Rams have been trying to emulate the 2020 Bucs by winning the Super Bowl on home turf (SoFi Stadium, Feb. 13) in their first season with a new star quarterback. They’re still looking up at the Bucs, but have cause for confidence after beating them in the regular season two years in a row. Football Outsiders analytics rank the Bucs No. 1on offense and No. 9 on defense, the Rams No. 8 and No. 5.
Matchup to watch: Rams defensive front vs. Bucs offensive line. DT Aaron Donald, OLB Von Miller and OLB Leonard Floyd have to put pressure on Brady for the Rams to have a chance to stop Tampa Bay. The Bucs’ O-line injuries could be a factor.
Rams win if: ... If QB Matthew Stafford continues to be effective against blitzing defenses; the Bucs brought blitzes on a league-high 40.8% of dropbacks this season. If the offensive line, with LT Joe Noteboom replacing Whitworth, makes holes for RBs Cam Akers and Sony Michel against a team that was merely average in run defense. If Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris stays one jump ahead of Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and isn’t predictable in doing the same things that worked in September.