After a thorough dismantling of the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night of Super Wild Card Weekend, the Los Angeles Rams now move towards a significantly tougher test. On short rest, they are heading to Florida to face Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Rams head coach Sean McVay has faced Brady in the playoffs before when L.A. played the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 53. McVay’s defense did a phenomenal job on Brady, but it was Bill Belichick who got the last laugh, holding Jared Goff’s Rams to just three points.
Now, McVay has a similar gameplan as last time to deal with Brady, who is in the midst of a career year despite being 44 years of age, according to Gary Klein of The L.A. Times:
“He recognizes exactly what’s going on,” McVay said of Brady during a videoconference with reporters on Tuesday, “and so I think the best way is try and influence and affect, move him off his spot, be able to win with your rushes.
“Easier said than done. It’s why he’s the most successful quarterback of all time.”
Brady’s Buccaneers — even in the midst of injuries — have far more firepower than the Patriots team that McVay faced. Despite missing both of his top running backs and two of his top three receivers, Brady still went 29-of-37 for 271 yards and two touchdowns against the Philadelphia Eagles.
However, McVay’s Rams have already beaten Brady and the Buccaneers this season, winning 34-24 in Week 3. The Buccaneers’ defense is certainly healthier than it was at that point, but their offense has worn down significantly since then.
With Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Odell Beckham Jr., and the newly-returned Cam Akers, the Rams shouldn’t have too much trouble putting points on the board, especially with the lackluster secondary of the Buccaneers.
So it really comes down to if the Rams defense can put enough pressure on Brady to get him out of his timing, something that has defined the success of their offense this season. If any team is equipped to do it, it’s the Rams and their elite pass rush.
McVay: Akers unbelievable in win over Cardinals
On Monday night, it looked as though Akers had never gotten injured in the first place. He was explosive, efficient, and gave a whole new layer of depth to the Rams offense. McVay spoke about his return to form following the win.
“It’s unbelievable,” McVay said after the game. “And, really, I don’t think the stats tell the story for how good he looked, leveling some runs off. He got a couple big-time runs called back.
“But I thought Cam was outstanding. He did a great job. And he’s only getting more and more confident. And you know what I love the most about him is what a confident, secure individual he is. A play I think he would want back earlier in the game and then he makes a great catch off the double pass in kind of that same spot. That thing hung up like a (Seahawks QB) Russell Wilson moon ball. It was great plays by those guys.”
