TAMPA (SNN-TV) – The winners of the last two Super Bowls will meet at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday. The question is: can either one use this marquee match-up to reestablish itself as a contender for this year’s Super Bowl?
The Buccaneers come into Sunday’s contest with an eye on ending not only a current three-game losing streak that has dropped them to 3-5 overall, but also a run of three-straight losses to the Rams. In last year’s NFC Divisional Round the Rams turned a stunning second-half comeback to win on a walk-off field goal, 30-27.
Tom Brady and Matt Stafford remain at the helms of their respective offenses, but neither one has yet found the same high gear it operated at during the past two seasons. In many ways, the two teams are treading water in similar ways. Los Angeles ranks 31st in the NFL in rushing offense, ahead of only Tampa Bay. The Bucs are 25th in points per game, the Rams are 28th. Neither team has been efficient in the red zone.
Either way, if one or both of these teams carrying very high expectations is going to turn things around in the second half of the season, it needs to start sooner rather than later. And it can only start for one of them this Sunday, with kickoff set for 4:25pm.
