Free NFL Picks: Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1/23/22

NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF: 2:00 SUNDAY 11/23/22

This matchup features No.1 seed, Tennessee, against the No.4, Cincinnati Bengals in what should be a competitive game. The Titans appear to be getting the services of Derrick Henry back for this game and that should provide a huge boost for them. How well-conditioned, and how many snaps he will be able to play, are still huge question marks. Cincinnati is riding high after winning their first playoff game in 31 years last week. They are a talented, young team and ar quite capable of pulling off an upset in Nashville.

WHO HAS THE EDGE:

Quarterback:
Los Angeles: Matthew Stafford 68% Completion Rate, 5,088 yards, 43 Touchdowns, 17 Interceptions
Tampa Bay: Tom Brady: 68% Completion Rate, 5,587 yards, 45 Touchdowns, 12 Interceptions
UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE BRADY AND THE BUCS HAVE THE ADVANTAGE

Running Back:
Los Angeles: Sony Michel 903 yards, 4.1 yds. per carry, 4 touchdowns
Tampa Bay: Leonard Fournette 812 yards, 4.5 yds. per carry, 8 touchdowns
ADVANTAGE NEITHER

Receivers:
Los Angeles: Cooper Kupp, Tyler Higbee, and Odell Beckham (245 catches for 2,973 yards, and 28 touchdowns)
Tampa Bay: Mike Evans, Rob Gronkowski, and Tyler Johnson, (222 catches for 2,375 yards and 22 touchdowns).
ADVANTAGE GOES TO THE RAMS WITH TAMPA MISSING CHRIS GODWIN

Offensive Line:
Los Angeles: 100 yards rushing per game, allowed 32 sacks
Tampa Bay: 98 yards rushing per game, allowed 27 sacks
ADVANTAGE TO NEITHER

Defense:
Los Angeles: Allowed 22 points and 345 total yards per game. Had 50 sacks and 19 interceptions. Held opponents under 20 points eight times.
Tampa Bay: Allowed 21 points and 332 total yards per game. Had 49 sacks and 19 interceptions. Held opponents under 20 points nine times.
SLIGHT ADVANTAGE TO TAMPA BAY

TOTAL TEAM POINTS:

Los Angeles 22.5 Total Team Points The Rams are averaging 27 points per game and Stafford has had the kind of year the Rams were looking for when they acquired him in the offseason. Cooper Kupp has been phenomenal all season and Odell Beckham is playing like he is capable of. Tampa Bay is going to bring the heat and try and rattle Stafford and force him into mistakes. This will be one of the keys to the game. I’m taking Los Angeles UNDER 22.5 Total Team Points

Tampa Bay 26.5 Total Team Points There is no reason to list all of Tom Brady’s stats. He is simply amazing, but he is going to need some help from Leonard Fournette and the ground game, to take away some of the Rams’ pass rush. That will be a huge key to the game and likely will decide the game. If the Rams can’t get to him, they aren’t going to win. This is a game where the unavailability of star receiver, Chris Godwin might come into play also. I like Tampa Bay slightly UNDER 26.5 points.

OVER/UNDER 48.5 Total Combined Team Points I think this line is a little too high so I will take the UNDER 48.5 combined team points.

POINT SPREAD: Tampa Bay is a 3-point favorite This should be a great game between these two excellent teams. The DUDES have gone around and around on this one and came away with differing opinions.

Aaron’s Pick: Rams +3

Papa Dudes Pick: Tampa Bay -3