Other than the teams that are in the Buccaneers’ division, whether it was the NFC Central or now NFC South, no team is more despised by me than the Rams.
It doesn’t matter if it they were in LA or St. Louis they have kept he Bucs from advancing to the Super Bowl twice (1979, 1999) and also thwarted a heroic comeback attempt in the 2021 divisional playoff game.
Yes, the Bucs have gotten a small measure of revenge on MNF in 2000 when they beat the defending Super Bowl Champs 38-35, in one of the most exciting games I’ve ever seen. However, the memory of Ricky Proehl making an unbelievable catch over Brian Kelly in the 1999 NFC Championship game is something I’ll never forget.
Likewise, in 2001, the Tom Brady Bucs fought back from a 27-3 deficit to tie the game at 27.
It took the Rams :42 seconds to go 63 yards as Cooper Kupp somehow got behind the Bucs Defense to settup a game winning FG by Matt Gay and they won 30-27. The Defensive coordinator that day? Todd Bowles.
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So, as you can see, there’s lots of bad memories here. Of course nothing that happened then will have anything to do with what happens on Sunday Night BUT for fans like me it will feel extra special if they can pull off the upset.
The Buccaneers Defense has been horrific these last two weeks facing Offenses that are not as lethal as the Rams. They have one of the best play callers in Sean McCay and he’s beaten Bowles many times.
So, against all odds HOW are the Bucs going to pull off the upset? Two words Baker Mayfield. This game HAS to be won with his arms and maybe even his legs. They have to find a way to score in the high 30’s. This Sunday Night game may be like the Seahawks game earlier in the year when Bucs won 38-35.
In fact, that’s the score I’m predicting. Bucs 38 Evil Empire (Rams) 35.
