Keys to the game:1. Tame their defensive line.Robert Quinn, Michael Brockers, James Laurenaitis, Aaron Donald... they have the ability to dominate our O-Line. They could stop runs in the backfield and keep McCown on his back all afternoon. It is imperative, nay.. it is MANDATORY that we play very well in the trench and give McCown a chance to find the open man. 2. Create open lanes for Doug Martin.Against the Panthers Martin never had a chance. The only play I remember in which there was any running room, was the 50+ yarder from Jorvorskie Lane. I think we can do a little better against the Rams' defensive tackles who are better penetrators than run stuffers. Some have lost faith in Martin but as history shows us, if you give him a sliver of daylight he's gone. That has to happen this Sunday.3. Win the turnover battle.That starts with McCown and the offense. We must be smarter with the ball. Tedford has to assess McCown's performance and find ways to get the ball out of his hands lightning fast. Don't give him a chance to hold the ball too long because we don't want to see any more sacks, fumbles, or interceptions. Unfortunately, that takes away the effectiveness of Jackson and Evans running deep, but McCown can't be trusted at this point. Ball security must be the most important factor in our play. And conversely, we need to take the ball away. I like our chances of doing just that against a Rams offense that failed to find the end zone, getting blown out at home by the Vikings. If we win the T/O battle, we win the game.MatchupsOur defense vs whichever backup QB they go with.I realize Anderson carved us up in his first action in three years, but the task we are up against in stopping the Rams is going to be considerably easier. Anderson played like a veteran. He didn't make the mistakes that St Louis' QB did against the Vikings. I think we will be able to get to the QB and force some turnovers, much like we expected to see vs the Panthers.Vincent Jackson/Mike Evans vs Trumaine Johnson/Janoris Jenkins.The Rams have poor starting safeties. They will most likely find themselves out of position often, meaning there will be some good opportunities for one on one situations. When McCown gets time and is able to throw up the jump ball, Evans and Jackson have to come up big. Getting chunks of yardage is going to be very important in moving the football into scoring position. Prediction: Our offense jumps out to an early lead and the defense wreaks havoc on Austin Davis, forcing 4 turnovers and shutting them out altogether. Bucs win 31-0.
