Los Angeles Rams

The Rams Represent A Benchmark For Mike Smith and the Buccaneers' Defense

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

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How much has the Buccaneer defense improved thus far under Mike Smith? This week we can find out against a lowly offense that shredded them last season.

It seems odd to consider the Los Angeles Rams offense as a benchmark for any defense. Over the first two weeks of the season they have been consistently pitiful and are the only NFL team without an offensive touchdown. However, that’s exactly what the Rams are to this Buccaneers team in their home opener Sunday.

Last season – on a Thursday night, nationally televised game – with much the same roster the Rams hosted the Buccaneers and trounced them, jumping out to a 21-3 halftime lead. It was never quite as close as the final score indicated (31-23), and quarterback Case Keenum finished with a career game, completing 14 of his 17 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns. This Sunday the Bucs take on Jeff Fishers‘ Rams once again, though this time in Tampa and with Mike Smith at the defensive helm for the Bucs. We will not only see how the Bucs defense responds after a thorough butt-kicking last week but also how they fare against an opponent that got the best of them last season.

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Through two games it’s been a slow start for Mike Smith’s defense. They’re yet to force a turnover, have given up 300 yards passing to both Matt Ryan and Carson palmer, and have already allowed more plays of 50+ yards than all of last season. They’re average in the sack department and the losses of Jacquies Smith and potentially Robert Ayers won’t help matters. They appear to be a more talented unit with much more potential than last years’ Lovie Smith debacle but thus far the results are much the same. A good outing this week can prove they’re a different group and can be a big step forward.

While the Bucs defense was overall poor last time against the Rams they actually did a good job stopping star running back Todd Gurley, holding him to just 48 yards rushing and a touchdown. It’s important that the Bucs maintain control over Gurley and allow their improved pass rush and revamped cornerbacks to harass Case Keenum.

Mike Smith isn’t the only newcomer with something to prove this week. Brent Grimes has yet to have a break-out performance for the Bucs and faces an underrated challenge in Kenny Britt, who had 2 catches for 71 yards and a touchdown last season versus the Bucs. Grimes can display his worth by negating the big plays that Britt is capable of.

The Bucs have become somewhat of a punch-line recently for their penchant to get beaten by the lowest tier of quarterbacks. For those days to truly be a thing of the past the Bucs must prove this week that they can shut down the likes of Case Keenum. While we know for certain based on last week that Mike Smith’s defense is not yet ready for the best of the best, we still aren’t even sure whether they’re able to handle the worst of the worst.

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