NFL Week 3 offers a potential NFC Championship matchup as the Los Angeles Rams host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. These two favorites to win the NFC have both started the season 2-0 and are poised to clash in what should be one of the most entertaining games of Week 3.
The Buccaneers are slight favorites at most major sportsbooks per our NFL gameday odds, but this game could easily go either way. Let’s take a deeper look at the Buccaneers vs Rams best bets and picks for a matchup that we might very well see again during the NFL postseason in January.
Best Bet: Over 55.5 Total Points (-110) at Caesars
For in-depth analysis on this NFL bet of the day, continue reading. Please note that all odds are current as of Friday, September 24.
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Buccaneers vs Rams Prediction
It’s been said to never bet against Tom Brady. That adage remains evergreen in 2021, as the Buccaneers are riding a streak of nine straight games with at least 30 points (including last year’s postseason). Their potent offense has already produced 79 points over the first two weeks — most in the NFL.
Tampa Bay heads into Week 3 coming off a 48-25 rout of the Atlanta Falcons in which Brady threw for five touchdowns, vaulting himself into the early-season MVP conversation. While their passing attack is firing on all cylinders, their running game behind Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones still leaves something to be desired. The Bucs’ vaunted defense hasn’t totally clicked yet, either, surrendering 54 total points over the first two weeks.
Speaking of clicking, Matthew Stafford has done just that with his new offense in Los Angeles. He already appears to be on the same page with receivers Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods, helping the Rams score 61 points over the first two weeks (fifth in the NFL). LA’s defense remains one of the top units in the NFL, yielding just 38 points thus far while recording five turnovers and six sacks.
Sean McVay and his defense will have their hands full with the Buccaneers, who have won their last 10 games in a row. While Los Angeles should be able to keep the game close, Tampa Bay simply has too much firepower to overcome.
Prediction: Buccaneers 34, Rams 28
Buccaneers vs Rams Best Bets
Best Bet: Buccaneers Moneyline (-125) at Caesars
The defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers will hit the road for the first time this year after winning their first two games at home. Besides losing cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (elbow) to the IR after Week 1, Tampa Bay has a remarkably healthy roster and most of the same players who helped lift the Lombardi trophy earlier this year.
The Rams’ biggest injury concern for Week 3 is a questionable tag on starting RB Darrell Henderson, who sustained a rib injury in Week 2. Sony Michel will start if Henderson is ruled out, but that shouldn’t have too much impact on the betting lines or final outcome.
Aaron Donald is always a nightmare for opposing offenses, but Brady and the Bucs appear unstoppable. Their offense is too good and their defense should limit Los Angeles enough for Brady to lead Tampa Bay to an 11th straight victory.
Best Bet: Over 55.5 Total Points (-110) at Caesars
Both Buccaneers games have been high-scoring this season, with each surpassing 60 total points. As stated in the opening, Tampa Bay takes the field expecting to put at least 30 points on the board.
What makes the Over so intriguing here is that teams have been able to move the ball through the air against the Buccaneers’ defense. Tampa Bay has allowed the third-most passing yards per game in the NFL this year, which means we’ll likely see Stafford air it out, especially if the Rams fall behind early.
With both sides capable of putting up points in a hurry, I’d be comfortable taking the Over up to 58 points here.
Best Bet: Tom Brady Over 2.5 Passing TDs (+140) at BetMGM
The news of Antonio Brown being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list is not ideal, but it’s nothing that can’t be overcome. It’s been reported that it’s unlikely he’ll be active Sunday, but after playing only 44% of offensive snaps in Week 2, it’s apparent he’s not a make-or-break player that will move betting lines.
With some of the best red zone targets in the league, Brady should continue to find his big-bodied receivers in the end zone. Rob Gronkowski may not be as spry as he once was, but he is the NFL leader for touchdowns by non-QBs through two weeks.
A high-scoring affair featuring two of the best front sevens in the league, look for both sides to score via the pass rather than with their shaky RBs.
Best Bet: Robert Woods Over 1.5 Rushing Yards (-125) at DraftKings
Sure, this game carries massive weight on deciding who the favorite is to be this year’s Super Bowl champion. Let’s change the mood and look at one of the most fun props I’ve seen this year.
2018 brought a change to the Rams’ offensive playbook, which included end-arounds and motion sweeps to Robert Woods. Since then, he has recorded at least one carry in 71% of games he was active for and averaged 6.83 yards per carry in these attempts.
With Darrell Henderson banged up, this looks like a perfect game for Los Angeles to mix up their looks and get the ball to Woods in the backfield. The only thing we need from there is for him to fall forward.
Absolutely love this one. If this game isn’t interesting enough for you already, take a stab at the Over here to have you on the edge of your seat until Woods gets his first carry. He’s toted the ball on the ground at least once in both games so far this year.
Buccaneers vs Rams Same Game Parlay Picks
Same Game Parlay Odds: +450 at DraftKings
- Buccaneers Moneyline
- Over 55.5 Total Points
- Rob Gronkowski Anytime TD Scorer
- Tom Brady 2+ Passing TDs
Correlation between a Buccaneers win, a Gronk TD, and Brady throwing for multiple scores is clear here. It’s been their blueprint for success since Brady came to town and still, nobody has been able to stop it.
Brady to Gronk feels automatic at this point. Scotty Miller does a good job of stretching the field, but not as well as Antonio Brown. Tampa Bay will likely make stops in the red zone on their march to pay dirt.
Once there, look out for a Gronk spike.
Despite what the odds say, the toughest leg of this parlay could very well be the Over. The Buccaneers and Rams have the lowest total of combined plays ran during the 2021 season for any Week 3 matchup.
This can be attributed to hyper-efficiency by both offenses. In a back and forth battle, the pace will accelerate and should lead to big numbers on the scoreboard.
Thanks for reading our Buccaneers vs Rams Week 3 Predictions! Check out more of our NFL Week 3 predictions and bet tips here.
