Rams vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: How to watch, start time and prediction
The first time quarterback Baker Mayfield played at SoFi Stadium, he started for the Rams with only two days of practice.
On Dec. 6, 2022, the Rams claimed Mayfield off waivers from the Carolina Panthers to replace injured Matthew Stafford. A few days later, he led the Rams to victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on “Thursday Night Football.”
That performance, one of five games Mayfield started to finish that historic Super Bowl-hangover season for the Rams, jump-started Mayfield’s then-stalled career.
In 2023, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed him to a one-year contract, and he led them to the divisional round of the NFC playoffs. In 2024, he signed a three-year contract that includes $55 million in guarantees and could be worth as much as $100 million, according to Overthecap.com.
And on Sunday, he returns to SoFi Stadium to face a Rams team that is 8-2 and looks very much like a Super Bowl contender.
"There is no way for me to sugarcoat it. ... It was pivotal in my career and in my journey,” Mayfield, speaking about his time with the Rams, told Tampa Bay reporters this week, adding, “It helped me find the fun in football again. ... It was instrumental in my career, something I am forever grateful for, and it will be fun to go back and see some familiar faces."
During his short stint with the Rams, Mayfield brought “a spark” and displayed “pretty impressive mental stamina” to process and put into action so much information, Rams coach Sean McVay said.
“It's one thing to absorb it, it's a totally different thing to be able to bring it to life when the enemy has a say,” McVay said. “It was impressive. I think when you watch what he's done and who he is, I think it's probably more on par for what we expect of Baker than the outlier when you look at the totality of everything he's done.”
Mayfield, 30, has passed for 17 touchdowns, with three interceptions this season for the Buccaneers (6-4), who lead the NFC South.
The game matches Mayfield, the top pick in the 2018 draft, against Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, the top pick in 2009.
“His ability to come in and play pretty darn well on a shortened timeline was really awesome,” Stafford said, adding, “He’s been through a lot and came out on the other side playing about as good as ball as anybody.”
The Rams are coming off a 21-19 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, a victory that extended their winning streak to five games and gave them sole possession of first place in the NFC West.
Stafford has passed for a league-leading 27 touchdowns, with only two interceptions. Davante Adams has a league-best 10 touchdown catches.
The Rams will be without three veteran starters — tight end Tyler Higbee, right tackle Rob Havenstein and safety Quentin Lake — who were placed on injured reserve this week.
Key injuries
Rams: WR Xavier Smith (concussion, questionable).
Buccaneers: RB Bucky Irving (shoulder/foot, out); G Ben Bredeson (hamstring, out); CB Jamel Dean (hip, out); OLB Hassan Reddick (ankle/knee, out); WR Chris Godwin Jr. (questionable).
How to watch Rams vs. Buccaneers
The Rams (8-2) and the Buccaneers (6-4) will play at 5:20 p.m. PST Sunday at SoFi Stadium. The game will be shown nationally on NBC and Universo and will be streamed on Peacock. In Southern California, fans can listen to the game on 710 AM, 93.1 FM and 1330 AM (Español).
Betting lines and odds for Rams vs. Buccaneers
Who will win Rams vs. Buccaneers?
Gary Klein's pick: Mayfield will be relentless, and the Rams will feel the absences of Higbee, Havenstein and Lake. But the Rams’ firepower on offense and defense will help them extend their winning streak to six games. Rams 27, Buccaneers 20
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.