Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Buccaneers vs Rams: Five Game-Changing Players

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Dec 17, 2015 St. Louis, MO, USA; The Tampa Bay Buccaneers line up the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

After a blowout loss in Arizona on Sunday, the 1-1 Buccaneers return home this week for their 2016 home opener against the Los Angeles Rams. Here, we break down five players that can decide the outcome of Sunday’s game.

The Buccaneers were embarrassed by the Arizona Cardinals in week two, falling 40-7. This week, Tampa Bay takes the field at Raymond James Stadium for the first time this season, hosting the Los Angeles Rams. Both teams have had similar seasons to this point, coming away with a close win in one game and being manhandled in the other.

Tampa Bay couldn’t get anything going offensively last week, with Jameis Winston throwing four interceptions and fumbling once. The defense couldn’t get any sort of pass rush going, which made for a long day against Carson Palmer. Los Angeles is coming off of a 9-3 win against the Seahawks, but is still without a touchdown through two games. Case Keenum is still the team’s quarterback, while this year’s No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff waits on the bench.

The Rams came away with a 31-23 win over the Bucs in St. Louis last year. Keenum had a big game, completing 14 of his 17 attempts for 234 yards and two touchdowns. Mike Evans had a big day for Tampa Bay, catching nine passes for 157 yards.

Both teams will be looking for a convincing win this week. Which players have the ability to change the game’s outcome?

Dec 27, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Lavonte David (54) and teammates runs out of the tunnel before the game against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Lavonte David

Lavonte David has been one of the most consistent linebackers in the league over the last few years, but hasn’t been the same through the first two weeks of this season. He totaled eight tackles in week one, but was overshadowed by Kwon Alexander. Last week in Arizona, he finished with no tackles for the first time in his career.

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He should be out for a big rebound game this week as the Bucs face one of the top young running backs in the NFL. With the lack of a consistent passing game, the Rams haven’t been able to boast a balanced offensive attack. As a result, they have averaged just 64.5 yards per game on the ground through the first two weeks. It will be up to David and the rest of Tampa Bay’s front seven to keep that going.

The Bucs are one of just three teams in the league without a defensive takeaway through two weeks. That needs to change this week, and David has a good shot to lead the charge. With increasing focus on Kwon Alexander, David might be getting overlooked. If he can put a lot of pressure on the quarterback, the Bucs’ secondary will be poised to come up with its first interception of the year. Or, David himself could come up with a fumble or pick as he has been known to do throughout his career.

Dec 17, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) runs the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Todd Gurley

Both the Bucs and Rams had a breakout rookie on the offensive side of the ball last year. Of course, Tampa Bay’s was quarterback Jameis Winston. For Los Angeles, it was running back Todd Gurley. The former Georgia Bulldog rushed for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns last year, which earned him Rookie of the Year honors.

Although he isn’t off to the hottest start this year (98 yards on 36 carries), Gurley still has the ability to take over a game. He put up five 100-yard rushing games a year ago, with four of those going for over 130 yards. The Rams are still without a touchdown through two weeks, having kicked three field goals for their only points. A Buccaneer defense that’s eager to rebound from last week should be ready as Los Angeles likely turns to Gurley to get them going.

The Bucs have done fairly well stopping the run this year, holding Atlanta to 52 rushing yards and Arizona to 101. Last year against the Rams, the defense held Gurley to 48 yards on 21 carries. With Case Keenum at quarterback, Tampa Bay’s biggest threat will be Gurley. Whether or not they can stop him on Sunday will definitely determine the final score.

Dec 17, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Adam Humphries (11) runs the ball against St. Louis Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson (22) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Adam Humphries

One of the only positives for the Bucs in last week’s loss to Arizona was Adam Humphries. On a day when the offense couldn’t get much going, he still managed to catch six passes for 67 yards. If he can remain a viable threat this week against Los Angeles, it would be huge for the Tampa Bay offense. Not enough production has been coming from the likes of Vincent Jackson and Cameron Brate. That’s where Humphries can step in and change the game.

Early in camp, head coach Dirk Koetter named Humphries the No. 3 receiver. He proved himself worthy of that position throughout the preseason and again last week. Jameis Winston has been able to find him on short routes and screen passes, making him a productive weapon. The fact that he is still fairly unknown also plays to his advantage, as teams will focus their gameplans on stopping Jackson and Mike Evans. Humphries can be a big option for Winston when the Bucs line up with three wide.

While he has been effective on offense, he hasn’t shown what a difference he can make on special teams. He hasn’t had much of an opportunity so far in the regular season, but he showed off his punt return abilities in the preseason with a 73-yard return for a touchdown against Cleveland. With the production he’s showing, the Bucs will definitely continue to feature Humphries this Sunday.

Nov 15, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) is introduced to the crowd prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at the Edward Jones Dome. The Bears won the game 37-13. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Donald

While the Bucs have one of the NFL’s top defensive tackles in Gerald McCoy, the Rams have their own top guy in Aaron Donald. Donald finished the 2015 season with 69 tackles (43 solo) and 11 sacks. Through two seasons in the league, he is averaging 10 sacks per year. And although he is without a sack so far this year, he will be a tough man to keep out of the backfield on Sunday afternoon.

Tampa Bay has done a solid job of protecting Jameis Winston through two weeks, allowing just three sacks. But, Donald doesn’t only rush the passer well. He has also proven to be a strong asset in stopping the run, which gives Los Angeles an advantage on Sunday. After Doug Martin left the game in the first quarter last week, the Bucs weren’t able to run the ball very well against a tough Arizona defense. The Rams’ defense is just as solid up front, and that charge is led by Donald.

Donald certainly has the ability to make Sunday a difficult day for the Bucs, especially if he is able to play a big role in stopping the run game. If he holds it down up the middle and stops Tampa Bay’s ground attack, Winston and his receivers may be in for another long afternoon similar to the one they just experienced in week two.

Aug 29, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Chicago Bears running back Jacquizz Rodgers (35) against the Cincinnati Bengals in a preseason NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 21-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Jacquizz Rodgers

The Bucs will be without Doug Martin for the next three weeks, meaning Charles Sims will slide into the starter role. The injury suddenly gives Jacquizz Rodgers an expanded role as he will now be the No. 2 running back. Rodgers, who signed with Tampa Bay before week two, rushed for 29 yards on two carries against the Cardinals.

Sims will get the majority of carries this week, but Rodgers will have to fill in as the backup at times to switch up the pace. In those times, he will have to be effective if the Bucs want to get the offense going. He was limited to just five games last year, but in 2014, he played 16 games with the Falcons and rushed for 217 yards and a touchdown on 58 carries (3.7 yards per carry).

He has also proven himself to be a viable option as a receiver out of the backfield, catching 156 passes for 1,114 yards and five touchdowns over his five years in the league. If he can get going on Sunday either on the ground or through the air, it will take a lot of pressure off of Sims and the rest of the Buccaneer offense.

Of course, Los Angeles has one of the toughest defensive lines in the NFL, so Rodgers won’t have an easy task. But if he can find some sort of running room or get open out of the backfield, getting by without Martin won’t be as hard of a task. The Bucs aren’t going to ask him to do a whole lot, but if he plays a solid supporting role or even breaks out, he has a chance to change Sunday’s game in a big way.

Who do you think will change the game on Sunday, Bucs fans? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter @ThePewterPlank.

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