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This is a tough game.
What you guys think?
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/scouting ... =321223027
After watching film of both teams, Scouts Inc. breaks down key elements of the Week 16 Rams-Buccaneers matchup.
• Pound the rock: In Week 15, the Buccaneers got away from what they do best: running the football. Their offense is built around rookie running back Doug Martin, who is averaging 4.6 yards per attempt. The Rams' defense was exploited for 213 yards rushing in Week 15 and gives up 118 yards per game on the ground. Look for Buccaneers offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan to make a strong effort to pound the rock early and often to set the tempo in Week 16.
• Work for balance offensively: In Week 15, the Rams fell behind early and had to put the ball in the air too often -- 55 times. In Steven Jackson, St. Louis has an excellent featured back to mount an effective ground attack. Tampa Bay is stout defending the run, but the Rams don't need to get pass happy in this week's matchup. Look for Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to design a game plan with a good mixture of run and pass to control the clock and keep Tampa Bay guessing.
• Turnover battle and special teams: Special teams are a coin flip in this matchup. Both clubs have solid punters, place-kickers and return specialists, but don't field game-changers. Their coverage units are solid and really haven't been exploited often in 2012. There is some disparity in regards to the turnover battle with the Rams being a minus-3 while Tampa Bay being a plus-7 in 2012. The Buccaneers were a minus-5 in their blowout loss to the Saints in Week 15, while the Rams were a minus-2 in their loss last weekend. These two phases will likely determine the outcome.
• Home QB: Josh Freeman is coming off a poor performance with four interceptions. He had been a better decision-maker earlier in the season but has reverted back to having accuracy problems in recent weeks. Freeman is a big, strong, athletic signal-caller whooperates best from the pocket. He is tough to bring down with one defender and is a bit like Ben Roethlisberger in that way. A successful Bucs ground attack has helped Freeman progress, affording him more time in the pocket to scan the field. He's capable of putting up big numbers, but it starts with a balanced approach with the running game being at the forefront.
• Away QB: Sam Bradford is an excellent combination of size and strength with good athleticism for the position. He can move out of the tackle box but operates best from the pocket. Bradford can power the ball into tight windows. Bradford has great vision and poise in the pocket to find second and third options in the passing game. He has been a 60-percent passer in 2012 and is coming off an impressive performance with 337 yards and three touchdowns in Week 15. Bradford was under duress while playing from behind most of the game versus the Vikings. He should face a much better scenario in Week 16.
• Key positional battle -- Rams' DEs vs. Buccaneers' OTs: St. Louis fields two formidable edge rushers in Robert Quinn and Chris Long with 17 sacks and 21 tackles for a loss between them going into Week 16. They both have great initial quickness and burst to close to the quarterback with excellent strength to set the edge in the running game. Tampa Bay fields a physical offensive line that has been excellent, yielding only 21 sacks. Buccaneers OTs Donald Penn and Demar Dotson have been consistent staying connected as run blockers while locking up edge rushers often in the passing game. This positional battle should be highly competitive and will have a significant impact.
• Featured player: Tampa Bay rookie running back Doug Martin is a short, powerfully built back with excellent athleticism. He is an instinctive ball carrier who is patient to and through the hole. He has strength to move the pile on contact. He runs with great pad level and shows good balance to hit a crease. He is a reliable receiver out of the backfield who can be dangerous after the catch. Martin had limited touches in the Buccaneers' blowout loss to the Saints in Week 15 and will likely have the game plan built with him in mind in Week 16.
• Film room nuggets: The Rams' Jackson is one of the most physical ball carriers in the NFL. He moves the pile on contact with great power and pad level. Often defenders won't square up on him as they don't appear to be eager to tackle him. ... Vincent Jackson is the Bucs' most productive receiver as he averages 19.8 yards per catch and leads the club with eight touchdowns. His combination of size and athleticism is a mismatch for most NFL cornerbacks as he does an excellent job of utilizing his length and strength to get separation in the passing game.
What you guys think?
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/scouting ... =321223027
After watching film of both teams, Scouts Inc. breaks down key elements of the Week 16 Rams-Buccaneers matchup.
• Pound the rock: In Week 15, the Buccaneers got away from what they do best: running the football. Their offense is built around rookie running back Doug Martin, who is averaging 4.6 yards per attempt. The Rams' defense was exploited for 213 yards rushing in Week 15 and gives up 118 yards per game on the ground. Look for Buccaneers offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan to make a strong effort to pound the rock early and often to set the tempo in Week 16.
• Work for balance offensively: In Week 15, the Rams fell behind early and had to put the ball in the air too often -- 55 times. In Steven Jackson, St. Louis has an excellent featured back to mount an effective ground attack. Tampa Bay is stout defending the run, but the Rams don't need to get pass happy in this week's matchup. Look for Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to design a game plan with a good mixture of run and pass to control the clock and keep Tampa Bay guessing.
• Turnover battle and special teams: Special teams are a coin flip in this matchup. Both clubs have solid punters, place-kickers and return specialists, but don't field game-changers. Their coverage units are solid and really haven't been exploited often in 2012. There is some disparity in regards to the turnover battle with the Rams being a minus-3 while Tampa Bay being a plus-7 in 2012. The Buccaneers were a minus-5 in their blowout loss to the Saints in Week 15, while the Rams were a minus-2 in their loss last weekend. These two phases will likely determine the outcome.
• Home QB: Josh Freeman is coming off a poor performance with four interceptions. He had been a better decision-maker earlier in the season but has reverted back to having accuracy problems in recent weeks. Freeman is a big, strong, athletic signal-caller whooperates best from the pocket. He is tough to bring down with one defender and is a bit like Ben Roethlisberger in that way. A successful Bucs ground attack has helped Freeman progress, affording him more time in the pocket to scan the field. He's capable of putting up big numbers, but it starts with a balanced approach with the running game being at the forefront.
• Away QB: Sam Bradford is an excellent combination of size and strength with good athleticism for the position. He can move out of the tackle box but operates best from the pocket. Bradford can power the ball into tight windows. Bradford has great vision and poise in the pocket to find second and third options in the passing game. He has been a 60-percent passer in 2012 and is coming off an impressive performance with 337 yards and three touchdowns in Week 15. Bradford was under duress while playing from behind most of the game versus the Vikings. He should face a much better scenario in Week 16.
• Key positional battle -- Rams' DEs vs. Buccaneers' OTs: St. Louis fields two formidable edge rushers in Robert Quinn and Chris Long with 17 sacks and 21 tackles for a loss between them going into Week 16. They both have great initial quickness and burst to close to the quarterback with excellent strength to set the edge in the running game. Tampa Bay fields a physical offensive line that has been excellent, yielding only 21 sacks. Buccaneers OTs Donald Penn and Demar Dotson have been consistent staying connected as run blockers while locking up edge rushers often in the passing game. This positional battle should be highly competitive and will have a significant impact.
• Featured player: Tampa Bay rookie running back Doug Martin is a short, powerfully built back with excellent athleticism. He is an instinctive ball carrier who is patient to and through the hole. He has strength to move the pile on contact. He runs with great pad level and shows good balance to hit a crease. He is a reliable receiver out of the backfield who can be dangerous after the catch. Martin had limited touches in the Buccaneers' blowout loss to the Saints in Week 15 and will likely have the game plan built with him in mind in Week 16.
• Film room nuggets: The Rams' Jackson is one of the most physical ball carriers in the NFL. He moves the pile on contact with great power and pad level. Often defenders won't square up on him as they don't appear to be eager to tackle him. ... Vincent Jackson is the Bucs' most productive receiver as he averages 19.8 yards per catch and leads the club with eight touchdowns. His combination of size and athleticism is a mismatch for most NFL cornerbacks as he does an excellent job of utilizing his length and strength to get separation in the passing game.
