Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Los Angeles Rams Matchup Preview (9/26/21): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)

Matthew Stafford was excellent in his Rams debut, and while he wasn’t quite as good in Week 2, he has enjoyed his first year in Los Angeles. Stafford has completed 69.6% of his passes for 599 yards and five touchdowns through two games – that’s a 17-game pace of over 5,000 passing yards and 42.5 touchdowns. Stafford looks like he has been playing under Sean McVay for several years, not several months, and it’s refreshing to know that he was the high-level talent we all thought he was as he spent years toiling away in Detroit. The Buccaneers are without Sean Murphy-Bunting for the time being and have a beatable secondary which Stafford should succeed against.

While many players, coaches, and fans have enjoyed the arrival of Stafford in LA, I don’t think anyone has been happier than Cooper Kupp. So far through two games, he has caught 16 balls for 271 yards and three touchdowns as he has shown excellent chemistry with his new quarterback. Robert Woods has trailed behind with just 13 catches for 91 yards and a touchdown, but he could also break out in this game. I doubt Woods has such a disproportionate stat line to Kupp all season. Van Jefferson, DeSean Jackson, and Tyler Higbee round out a solid receiving corps.

I’ve been impressed with the Rams’ offensive line so far this season as Andrew Whitworth continues to long outlive what I thought his NFL expiration date would be. Rob Havenstein has provides strong play at the other tackle spot while Austin Corbett, David Edwards, and Brian Allen provide consistency in the middle of the offensive line. LA faces a tenacious Buccaneers’ pass rush, but I have enough faith in the offensive line to give Stafford time to figure out how to move the ball against a beatable secondary. The Rams will likely struggle to run the ball in this game, however, as Darrell Henderson is banged up, and Tampa features the best defensive line in the NFL.

Aaron Donald has been excellent for the Rams so far this season, and he got the better of Quenton Nelson in their highly-anticipated matchup last week. Leonard Floyd has provided an excellent complimentary pass rush across from him, while Troy Reeder, Justin Hollins, and Greg Gaines have all contributed in that respect, as well. Taylor Rapp, Jordan Fuller, and Robert Rochell have stepped up to round out the Rams’ secondary alongside the stout cornerback duo of Jalen Ramsey and Darious Williams.

Los Angeles Rams Depth Chart

QB: Matthew Stafford
RB1: Darrell Henderson Jr.
RB2: Sony Michel
WR1: Cooper Kupp
WR2: Robert Woods
WR3: Van Jefferson
TE1: Tyler Higbee
TE2: Jacob Harris

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Los Angeles Rams Daily Fantasy Picks

The loss of Antonio Brown presents an interesting DFS situation for the Buccaneers as both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have higher floors than they usually would. However, they will see their fair share of coverage from the elite Jalen Ramsey this week, which limits each of their respective upsides. Rob Gronkowski remains one of the best options at tight end for this week. Cooper Kupp remains one of the best values in DFS formats as Stafford’s clear-cut favorite target for the Rams. He should succeed against a limited, injured Bucs secondary. I also would have some intrigue in Sony Michel as a low-cost GPP flier if Darrell Henderson cannot play. I’m not thrilled about either quarterback’s upside in a matchup with a tough defense, but both are acceptable targets, particularly in cash lineups where baseline matters more than upside.