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BUCCANEERS at RAMS

WHEN: Sunday, November 23, 2025 | WHERE: SoFi Stadium | KICKOFF: 8:20 p.m. ET | TV: NBC

PLAY-BY-PLAY: Mike Tirico | ANALYST: Cris Collinsworth | SIDELINE: Melissa Stark

RADIO: 98 ROCK 97.9 FM | PLAY-BY-PLAY: Gene Deckerhoff | ANALYST: Dave Moore | SIDELINE: T.J. Rives

Game day is approaching, and it’s time for the Pewter Report staff to make its weekly game predictions and offer up our game preview of this week’s matchup. Let us know what you think in the article comments section and add your prediction, too.

Scott Reynolds: Bucs Get Demolished By Rams On SNF

Unless the Bucs bring their “A” game to Los Angeles and the Rams somehow overlook Tampa Bay and think they can show up and win and underachieve, I don’t see how this team doesn’t lose its third straight game in a row. Out of all the teams the Bucs have faced this year, this 8-2 Rams squad could be the best. Los Angeles’ only two losses of the year were a 33-26 defeat at Philadelphia (8-2) and a 26-23 overtime loss versus San Francisco (7-4).

Rams RB Kyren Williams and WR Davante Adams – Photo by: USA Today

Sean McVay’s offense is averaging 27.2 points per game, while the Rams’ stingy defense is allowing just 17.2 points per game. That’s an average margin of victory of 10 points per game, which is something the Rams have done with five victories via double-digit margins. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay is averaging 25.2 points per game and is allowing 25 points per game. Even Los Angeles has a slight edge in turnover margin at plus-10, whereas Tampa Bay is plus-9. Expect McVay and Matthew Stafford to target rookie Benjamin Morrison mercilessly as he’ll have to guard the likes of superstars Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.

The Bucs typically don’t play well in prime time, and Todd Bowles’ defense doesn’t typically play well against McVay’s offense. The only way the Bucs win is if the Rams self-destruct with turnovers while Baker Mayfield and the offense avoid them. I’m expecting a blowout in this game and for the Rams to win by two touchdowns. If you were unhappy with Bowles and the Bucs after back-to-back losses, your unhappiness might reach a new level late on Sunday evening.

REYNOLDS’ GAME PREDICTION: Rams 37, Bucs 23
REYNOLDS’ SEASON RECORD: 7-3

Matt Matera: Bucs Get Embarrassed In Primetime

I’m not sure if I’m more concerned about the Bucs defense going against the Rams offense or Tampa Bay’s offense going against Los Angeles’ defense. These are two teams trending in completely different directions, which could make for a disastrous game for the Bucs on Sunday night.

Bucs CB Jacob Parrish – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs defense can’t get pressure. Plus, they’ll be without their best cornerback in Jamel Dean. Are they going to keep Benjamin Morrison at outside corner or move Jacob Parrish or Kindle Vildor in there? It’s a huge mismatch either way, as Puka Nacua is putting up insane numbers and Davante Adams is a big red zone threat that has the size advantage over the smaller corners. If the Bucs want to blitz, it plays right into Matthew Stafford’s hands.

Tampa Bay needs to run the ball a ton if they want to keep this game close. The notion is that Sean Tucker will get even more rushing attempts, which is a great idea. The Rams generate pressure with a daunting front four, so plenty of players will be in coverage. That’s not good for Baker Mayfield, who won’t be able to scramble and might make some turnover-worthy throws. This game could go pretty bad for the Bucs with everyone watching.

MATERA’S GAME PREDICTION: Rams 41, Bucs 18
MATERA’S SEASON RECORD: 7-3

Adam Slivon: Bucs Just Do Not Have What It Takes To Beat The Rams

The Bucs have entered a stretch that has become all too familiar for those who follow and cover the team. Under Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay has had a midseason slump each year of his head coaching tenure and enters Sunday’s game having lost three of the past four games. Up next? Only the 8-2 Rams, who look like a bona fide Super Bowl contender. This game was slightly harder to predict when things were going great with the team being 5-1, but now at 6-4, it is a different story.

What has been most disappointing lately, obviously, is the defense. While there is talent at each level, it has not led to positive results. Instead, there is a lack of cohesion between the pass rush and secondary. On one end, the pass rush is failing to get home, and on the other, defensive backs are blowing coverages and allowing explosive plays. Allowing 72 points over the last two games falls on everyone, players and coaches alike.

It has not helped that the scheme has not put players in favorable positions to make plays, and suddenly, the rails are coming off the track. Making matters even worse is the fact that they are facing the latest MVP frontrunner, Matthew Stafford. The 37-year-old is dialed in and having a career year, and he lines up to be the latest quarterback to pick this unit apart.

Rams QB Matthew Stafford – Photo by: USA Today

Offensively, the only realistic path to keep it close is for the run game to pick up where it left off last game. Now is the time to unleash Sean Tucker’s powers, and Josh Grizzard alluded to the explosive back getting more of a workload. Tucker cannot do it by himself, though. Los Angeles has a stout defense, especially in the front seven. Baker Mayfield has to perform even better and get the passing game going. It could quickly turn into a pass-heavy game if they are down early, but keeping balance as long as possible only keeps the defense off the field and rested.

Ultimately, however one looks at this game, it is hard to pick the Bucs emerging victorious — even when wearing the most rose-tinted glasses.

SLIVON’S GAME PREDICTION: Rams 34, Bucs 24
SLIVON’S SEASON RECORD: 7-3

Bailey Adams: The Bucs Cannot Beat This Rams Team Right Now

Remember, I stuck my neck out for the Bucs last week, saying I was buying in on them being pissed off about that Patriots game and turning that into an upset win over the Bills in Orchard Park. And at the same time, I said that if this team failed to prove me right, I would need you all to hold me accountable and not let me pick Tampa Bay to beat Los Angeles in Week 12. As Heath Ledger’s iconic version of the Joker said in The Dark Knight, I’m a man of my word. So, I’m staying true to my word. This Buccaneer team simply isn’t in a position where it can beat this Rams team.

In terms of the NFC South, I’m not really concerned about the Bucs’ five-peat chances. I still think they retain the divisional crown, perhaps pretty easily. I think with the way the schedules set up, they might even head into that first meeting with Carolina on Dec. 21 with a chance to clinch. But with that said, this is looking more and more like the same old story for Todd Bowles’ team. They can win the division, but they aren’t at that next tier of the NFC like I thought they might be earlier this season.

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Rams are a potential Super Bowl team, and they’re playing like it. They’ve won five straight and will be heavy favorites at home and in primetime for a reason. Matthew Stafford is playing like a true MVP, their elite receiver duo is healthy, their defense is dominating and Sean McVay remains one of the best coaches in the NFL. On the flip side, Baker Mayfield’s MVP candidacy has slipped, the Bucs are badly missing Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr., the defense is struggling mightily and Bowles is not as good as McVay, and that’s without even considering their prior head-to-head matchups, too.

These two teams just aren’t on the same level right now. I think a fully healthy Bucs team – I mean one with Evans, Godwin, Calijah Kancey, Haason Reddick, Bucky Irving and Ben Bredeson – would have a good shot and this would potentially be in the “game of the year” conversation. But unfortunately for Tampa Bay, it seems like the midseason slide has just become an inevitable reality under Bowles. The ones it had in 2022, 2023 and 2024 were earlier and certainly worse, but the 2025 version of that slump is set to hit three straight losses in November and drop this team to 6-5 ahead of its return home next week.

ADAMS’ GAME PREDICTION: Rams 33, Bucs 20
ADAMS’ SEASON RECORD: 7-3

Josh Queipo: Bucs Shock The World With A Win In L.A.

I hate ties. And as I am tied with all of my esteemed colleagues, I aim to break that tie no matter what by picking the Bucs to win.

How will a team that just gave up 44 points contend with Matthew Stafford, who is performing at an MVP level this year? It starts with pressure. Stafford, unlike Josh Allen or Drake Maye isn’t looking to extend the play, scramble for six seconds and launch a seed if the pocket is compressing around him.

Bucs DT Vita Vea and Rams QB Matthew Stafford – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

He doesn’t have the mobility of the other two. And so, the Bucs defense can create throwaways and bring Stafford down via the sack. Without right tackle Rob Havenstein this should be an easier objective.

On offense the Bucs have shown they can hang points on elite defenses (Seattle) and operate workable gameplans against elite defensive lines (Houston). And that was before they stood to have the healthiest version of their offensive line and best run game of the season – as they should have this Sunday night. The Rams are the toughest test all season for the Bucs. Tampa Bay has all the pieces in place to create the upset. I say the team accomplishs that tall task.

QUEIPO’S GAME PREDICTION: Bucs 27, Rams 26
QUEIPO’S SEASON RECORD: 7-3