NFL Divisional Round Outlook; Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022 2:00pm CST
NFL Wild Card Weekend was epic. There were six games, including a primetime matchup on a Monday night. The one thing to note from Wild Card Weekend was that five of six favorites covered and won outright.
Will this be the case during the divisional round? Only time will tell. However, it’s time to start preparing for the games to win money. Here is your NFL divisional round outlook!
Los Angeles Rams Travels Across the Country to Face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After the Buccaneers swept past the Eagles in the wild card round, Tom Brady is 21-4 at home in the playoffs. This year, Tampa Bay has 8-1 records at Raymond James Stadium with an average margin of victory of 19.3 points. The Bucs are 3-point favorites against the Rams this Sunday.
Tampa’s offensive game plan must be more balanced in order to avoid a repeat of its previous success. In order to do so, the offense will need to find some balance, and it will be important for Tampa to prevent Matthew Stafford from easily exposing the defense. Tampa Bay’s offense was efficient, racking up 446 yards of total offense, with only 35 on the ground. The defense allowed 407 yards in Los Angeles, with 331 coming via the air.
Last week against the Eagles, Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Gio Bernard did a nice job replacing Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones II in the backfield, but if Tristan Wirfs can return to action after missing his first snaps of his career.
Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr. are a much more difficult matchup for Devanta Smith and Dallas Goedert were. The problems in Tampa are mounting up fast. However, a Tom Brady-led group has an opportunity every time out.
Rams vs Buccaneers Betting Odds
The Rams beat the Buccaneers earlier this season in Los Angeles. However, this was earlier, and both teams have changed a lot since this game. Tampa Bay and Los Angeles easily prevailed in the first round of the playoffs.
Tampa Bay is the favorite because they are at home in this game. The Buccaneers are -3, but most bettors are taking the Rams at +3. 60% of bettors are taking the +3 side of the line. Tampa Bay’s money line is -148 compared to the Rams at +130.
* All odds provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.
Last updated:January 21, 2022 Los Angeles Rams, NFL, NFL Action247 Insider, Tampa Bay Buccaneers