Los Angeles Rams vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1) will try to rebound from a rough road loss to the Arizona Cardinals when they host the Los Angeles Rams (1-1) on Sunday as home chalk at the sportsbooks.

The Bucs were crushed 40-7 by the Cardinals as seven-point underdogs in Week 2 with quarterback Jameis Winston throwing four interceptions after beating the Atlanta Falcons 31-24 as 2.5-point road dogs in Week 1.

Point spread: The Buccaneers opened as 3.5-point favorites and the total was 42 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)

NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 26.6-11.5 Buccaneers (NFL picks on every game)

Why the Rams can cover the spread

With the Rams offense still sputtering despite a 9-3 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2, their best chance to upset Tampa Bay is by continuing to play great defense. Los Angeles held Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson to 254 passing yards and sacked him twice for 15 yards while limiting the Seahawks to just 67 rushing yards on 24 carries.

The Rams have won four straight meetings with the Bucs and covered five in a row in the series dating back to 2010, according to the Odds Shark NFL Database.

Why the Buccaneers can cover the spread

The key for Tampa Bay offensively is to limit turnovers, which is something the team obviously didn't do at Arizona. Winston was fantastic in the victory against the Falcons with 281 passing yards, four touchdowns and one interception. But he played poorly versus a much better defense in the Cardinals and faces a comparable unit in Los Angeles.

The Bucs went 3-3 straight up and against the spread in their last six home games a year ago following an 0-2 start SU and ATS at Raymond James Stadium, and they have covered 10 of 14 overall when failing to beat the line in their previous game.

Smart pick

This is a huge contrast of styles between a team relying on its defense (Los Angeles) and another depending on offense (Tampa Bay). Usually, defense wins out in these situations, and that's why the under is a good play. The under has cashed in five of the past six meetings, so look for another low-scoring affair between the Rams and Bucs.

Betting trends

The Rams are 4-0 SU in their past four games against the Buccaneers.

The Rams are 5-0 ATS in their past five games against the Buccaneers.

The Buccaneers are 1-5 SU and ATS in their past six games.

All NFL betting lines and point spreads data courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and Odds Shark YouTube for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.