Sunday Night Football features a primetime matchup between two teams with winning records as the 6-4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel west to take on the 8-2 Los Angeles Rams. These squads are currently trending in different directions. LA is in the middle of a five-game winning streak, while Tampa is 1-3 in its last four contests.

The last time they took the field, the Buccaneers were defeated by the Buffalo Bills 44-32. Tampa's defense struggled mightily in that one as Bills QB Josh Allen accumulated six total touchdowns (three passing and three on the ground).

“Sometimes, it's coverage. Sometimes, it's pass rush. But at the same time, it's got to get fixed,” explained Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles after the loss. “We're playing hard, and then we have lapses here and have lapses there, and we give up a play. That's what happened in the second half. That also happened two times in the first half. If we're covering, we're not getting to the quarterback. If we're getting to the quarterback, we're not covering long enough. So, there's got to be a lot on the coaching - starting with me - from a defensive side of the ball, and get that fixed going forward. The effort was there, but the playmaking was not.”

One positive from that game was the Bucs' rushing attack, which had a season-high 202 yards and three touchdowns. Rookie running back Sean Tucker recorded career highs in attempts (19), rushing yards (106), and rushing TDs (two). He has answered the call in recent weeks when asked to fill in for injured running back Bucky Irving.

“I think what Sean has proven is that he deserves more carries from the time that he's playing more with (Bucky Irving) out,” said Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard. “He's really gotten more carries essentially each week. And I expect that to continue because he's played really well, and (Rachaad White) did as well… So when both those guys are going, you can really have a two-headed monster when it comes to that, then it's a really good thing for the Bucs.”

One point of emphasis for Tampa Bay on the offensive side of the ball will be protecting quarterback Baker Mayfield from the Rams' ferocious pass rush, which is tenth in sacks this season (27). All-Pro offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs said the similarities between the offenses and the effectiveness of LA's front seven present difficult challenges.

“They hear all of our calls all the time, just going against their own offense. So, I think that'll be a little tough. But then their D-line, you know, they're tough guys,” he explained. “I think a combination of both those things will be tough, but we'll be ready.”

Meanwhile, the Rams are coming off a hard-fought divisional win over the Seattle Seahawks that came down to a missed field goal as time expired for a 21-19 victory. The difference in that game was the defense, which forced four turnovers.

“Hats off to our group, finding a way. Obviously, that's an excellent football team. They get all the credit that they deserve. You could feel they were a physical, tough football team,” said Rams head coach Sean McVay during the Week 11 postgame press conference. “I can't say enough about what a great job our defense did to be able to get four interceptions… This is a resilient group. Love what I saw from our defense.”

It was a relatively quiet afternoon for quarterback Matthew Stafford, who threw for 130 passing yards and two touchdowns, bringing his total on the season to a league-leading 27. Even when he isn't stuffing the statsheet, Stafford is finding ways to lead his team to victory.

“Obviously, this is my first time being in a huddle [with an] NFL quarterback, and I'm very super blessed that it's Matthew Stafford that I get to learn from and get to be around,” said running back Kyren Williams. “Just to be able to see how he commands the huddle, not only the huddle, but the pre-snap and then after snap and the things that he's able to do with dictating defenders, being able to read coverages and just being able to be that person that's out there on the field that, if we asked him to do anything, he really could.”

Once again, the Rams will have to prepare for a dynamic quarterback in Baker Mayfield, who actually spent some time with LA before landing in Tampa. Matthew Stafford saw firsthand how effective Mayfield can be as a QB and a leader.

“Obviously, I was around. I was rehabbing some stuff at the time, but was really impressed with, obviously, the physical abilities there,” Stafford said earlier this week. "His ability to come in and play pretty darn well on a shortened timeline was really awesome… You can tell why his teammates love being around him. He's just a great guy, and, obviously, a heck of a football player. He's been through a lot and [has] come out the other side playing about as good as anybody… He's done a nice job.”

Prediction for Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Los Angeles Rams (-7)

A seven-point spread against a playoff team is incredibly disrespectful, even if the game is being played at home. Though Tampa is expected to be without Bucky Irving again, Chris Godwin Jr. should be returning to the lineup, which gives the Bucs' passing attack some extra juice. The problem is that Tampa Bay has struggled to take care of the football with five turnovers in its last four games. That could be disastrous against an LA squad that is tied for third in takeaways this season (18). At the same time, Matthew Stafford will probably make life miserable for a Bucs defense that is 27th in passing yards per game this season (241.6).

Prediction: Rams 28 - 24 Buccaneers

How to watch Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Los Angeles Rams (-7)

Buccaneers @ Rams starts at 8:20 p.m. EDT at SoFi Stadium. You can watch it on NBC or stream it via the Peacock app or YouTube TV.

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