The 6-4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers head west in Week 12 to face the streaking Los Angeles Rams on the Sunday Night Football stage. A five-game winning strike has propelled the Rams to an 8-2 record, which is tied for the top spot in the conference and puts them in first place in the hotly-contested NFC West. The Bucs are also in first place but have just a half-game edge over the Carolina Panthers in the NFC South. To find out how to watch, listen and livestream the game, click here.
Some analysts are still concerned about the Bucs injuries, as Bucky Irving, Ben Bredeson, Jamel Dean and Haason Reddick are all out. One noted Tampa Bay's tendency to have a "midseason lull" in recent years. Another worry for the analysts regarding the Bucs is the long trip west the week after a tough visit to Buffalo. One noted that the Rams are top 10 in the NFL in EPA (expected points added) per play on both offense and defense and another pointed out that Matthew Stafford has yet to throw an interception at home this season. However, the Bucs do have some supporters, one who doesn't expect Baker Mayfield to "go gently into that good night."
Here's how Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon sees it and why he thinks the Bucs are a good bet in Week 12:
"This is an anti-trend pick. Even if the Bucs do lose a third consecutive game, they're an experienced and savvy team that is likely to put up a big fight in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the Rams have won five in a row but cut it close a week ago against Seattle. This could be the moment when a more desperate squad shocks them. At the very least, I think it's a close game."
The Buccaneers are 6.5-point underdogs on the road and most analysts are siding with the favorites. Here's what some of them are predicting will occur on Sunday night at Sofi Stadium:
NFL.com – All six members of this selecting squad side with the Rams
ESPN.com – 10 ESPN experts chimed in this week and the Bucs did get four of them
CBSSports.com – Pete Prisco sees the Rams winning, but by a slim two-point margin
USA Today – Of the six NFL knowers assembled, only Jarrett Bell sees the Bucs winning
Bleacher Report – Picking against the spread, five of seven analysts take the points and the Bucs
Pro Football Talk – The Bucs often get a split from Mike Florio and Chris Simms, but this week it's all Rams
Sports Illustrated – Of the six MMQB staffers making picks, only John Pluym gives the Bucs the nod
Sporting News – Bill Bender predicts a six-point Rams victory
