NFL Week 3 Odds – Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Los Angeles Rams
The ranks of the unbeaten will decrease by one at the conclusion of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Los Angeles Rams game. Of course a tie is a possibility and shouldn’t be ruled out when the NFC heavyweights collide on Sunday afternoon. Five of the seven 2-0 teams reside in the NFC making every game important and the Rams have their sights on a Super Bowl with Matthew Stafford running the offense. But the Bucs have the GOAT and Tom Brady isn’t slowing down now that he’s in his mid-40s. The teams look very similar in their makeup which is probably why the Bucs are just a 1-point favorite on the NFL betting line.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Los Angeles Rams
Date and Time: Sunday, September 26, 2021, 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Opening NFL Odds: Tampa Bay -1, O/U 55.5
Buccaneers at Rams TV Coverage: FOX
Odds Analysis
This has to be the most anticipated early season matchup on the NFL slate. It’s easily the most intriguing Week 3 contest. We’ve already seen a lot of action on the line that opened with the Rams a 1.5-point favorite. The betting public jumped on Brady and the points pushing the line over the fence with the Rams right now a 1-point dog. The wavering on the line is a sign that no one really knows what to expect. Both clubs are strong offensively and the defenses have been equally good at times. Oddsmakers put the total at 52.5 and that number has since been wagered to 55.5, currently the second-highest on the Week 3 betting board.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
There’s always the chance for a letdown after winning the Super Bowl the previous season. That hasn’t been the case for the Bucs early on. Brady is playing like an MVP and the offense has produced 79 total points in the first two games. The Bucs brought back all 22 starters from last season’s Super Bowl champion squad with hopes of a repeat and the strategy looks sound.
While they won their first two games they weren’t without drama. A last second field goal got the Bucs past Dallas in the opener, 31-29, though they failed to cover the 10-point spread. Playing as a 13.5-point favorite against the Falcons last week, the Bucs led by only three entering the fourth quarter. A Brady touchdown pass and two pick-sixes from Mike Edwards salted away the 41-24 victory.
The Bucs will need to tighten up defensively against a scary Rams team. Tampa is giving up almost 400 yards per game with Dallas and Atlanta combining to score 54 points. Matt Ryan had a good game going last week with 300 yards and a pair of touchdown passes, however the fourth quarter interceptions proved fatal. Tampa’s four interceptions are tied for the second-most through two weeks of the season.
Los Angeles Rams
So far the decision to swap quarterbacks with the Detroit Lions has paid off. Matthew Stafford was brought in to add a new dynamic to the offense and the former No. 1 overall pick has thrived in Sean McVay’s system. He had a stellar debut against the Bears throwing for 321 yards and three touchdowns on 20 of 26 passing. The Rams scored on their first possession and never trailed.
The situation was a little different last week. A botched play on a punt led to a Colts touchdown putting the Rams behind for the first time this season. Stafford quickly led a scoring drive with a TD pass and after the Colts tied the game on a field goal, Stafford delivered his first game-winning drive marching the Rams into field goal range for a successful Matt Gay kick. The Rams escaped with the 27-24 win though they failed to cover the 4-point closing line.
Already without Cam Akers the Rams might be down another running back with Darrell Henderson questionable. Sony Michel could see extended playing time after rushing for 46 yards on 10 carries last week. Play action is a big part of the offense and if the Rams can’t run the football that puts more pressure on Stafford and the passing game, though they’ve looked up to the task in the early going.
Bet Buccaneers at Rams at BookMaker.eu
With the line at 1-point and already jumping the fence this game is basically a pick ‘em and could go either way. The Rams have two of the top defensive players in the game in Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey and the group did a nice job in last season’s victory over Tampa. I expect the group to rise to the occasion against the best with the total too high for me.
NFL Score Prediction: Rams 27, Buccaneers 23
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- Phil Simon, Gambling911.com
