The Tampa Bay Buccaneers brought in future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady to help a talented team contend for a title. That hope will be tested when the Bucs host the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football. The Buccaneers (7-3) have had multiple missteps, but Brady has the offense humming, while the defense has been stout and opportunistic. Brady threw for 341 yards and Ronald Jones ran for 192 in a 46-23 rout of the Panthers last week, while the Rams (6-3) beat NFC West rival Seattle and are looking for another signature win.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET at Raymond James Stadium. William Hill Sportsbook lists Tampa Bay as a 4.5-point favorite in its latest Rams vs. Buccaneers odds, while the over-under is 48. Before making any Buccaneers vs. Rams picks, be sure to see the latest Monday Night Football predictions from SportsLine's resident Los Angeles expert, R.J. White.
CBS Sports' NFL editor, White enters Week 11 on a sizzling 29-18 run. It's no surprise, as White twice has cashed huge in the world's most prestigious football handicapping competition, the Las Vegas SuperContest.
Moreover, White has a particularly keen eye for the Rams. In fact, he is an astounding 37-17 in his last 54 picks involving the Rams. Anyone who has followed his NFL picks is way up.
Now, he has studied Rams vs. Bucs from every angle and released another confident against-the-spread pick. You can only see it here. Here are the NFL odds and betting trends for Bucs vs. Rams:
- Rams vs. Buccaneers spread: Tampa Bay -4.5
- Rams vs. Buccaneers over-under: 48
- Rams vs. Buccaneers money line: Los Angeles +185, Tampa Bay -215
- LAR: WR Josh Reynolds has 16 catches for 190 yards over the past three games
- TB: QB Tom Brady is 14-10-1 against the spread in his career on Monday Night Football
Why the Rams can cover
Los Angeles is 4-1 against the spread in its last five games as a road underdog, and the defense has been dominant all season. The unit had six sacks and forced three turnovers against the Seahawks and ranks second in the NFL in total yards at 296.4 per game. Aaron Donald has nine of those sacks, ranking second in the league, and Leonard Floyd has seven. Jalen Ramsey is a true shutdown corner and held DK Metcalf to two catches last week.
The road team is 5-2 against the spread in the last seven meetings, and the Rams have running backs who could test Tampa Bay's No. 1 run defense. Darrell Henderson (486 yards), Malcolm Brown (347) and rookie Cam Akers (186) all average more than four yards per carry.
Goff also has the weapons to win it by air, with Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods already combining for more than 1,000 yards and tight ends Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett posting a combined 45 catches.
Why the Buccaneers can cover
The Bucs are second in the league with 32 sacks, led by Jason Pierre-Paul's 7.5. They have 17 takeaways and a plus-five turnover margin, while cornerback Carlton Davis has four interceptions.
The Bucs are 12-2-2 against the spread in their last 16 games in Week 11, and Brady could be even more dangerous if Jones keeps rolling. Brady already ranks fourth in the NFL with 2,739 yards, while Jones is third with 730 rushing yards despite generating just 66 over his previous three games. Brady can count on Pro Bowl wideouts Mike Evans (eight TDs) and Chris Godwin (412 yards in six games), while Scotty Miller (15.3 yards per catch) and Antonio Brown (75 career touchdowns) can stretch defenses.
How to make Rams vs. Buccaneers picks
White is leaning under on the total, but his much stronger play is on the spread. He's found a critical x-factor that makes one side of the spread hit hard on Monday Night Football. He's only sharing it here.
Who wins Buccaneers vs. Rams on Monday Night Football? And what critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Buccaneers vs. Rams spread you should jump on, all from the expert who's 37-17 on picks involving the Rams, and find out.
