2022 NFL playoff odds, picks, line, spread: Buccaneers vs. Rams predictions, bets from expert who’s 33-18

A pair of division winners will clash when the Los Angeles Rams battle the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an NFC divisional round matchup in the 2022 NFL playoffs on Sunday. The Rams (13-5), who won the NFC West, have won six of their last seven games and are coming off a 34-11 win over the Arizona Cardinals. The NFC South champion Buccaneers (14-4) have won eight of their last nine. Tampa Bay defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 31-15, in a Wild Card game last week, while Los Angeles posted a 34-24 win over the Bucs in Week 3. The Rams lead the all-time series 18-9, including a 2-0 edge in postseason games.

Kickoff from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., is set for 3 p.m. ET. Tampa Bay is a three-point favorite in the latest Rams vs. Buccaneers odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is 48. Before you make any Rams vs. Buccaneers bets or NFL playoff predictions, make sure you check out what SportsLine NFL expert R.J. White has to say.

White, a CBS Sports fantasy and gambling editor, ended the 2020 season on an 80-59 run on all NFL picks, returning more than $1,400 during that span. It’s no surprise, as White has cashed huge twice in the world’s most prestigious football handicapping competition, the Las Vegas SuperContest.

In addition, White is 33-18-4 on his last 55 against-the-spread picks involving the Buccaneers. Anyone who has followed him is way up.

Now, White has zoned in on Rams vs. Buccaneers, and just locked in his NFL playoff picks and Divisional Round predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his White’s picks. Here are several NFL odds for Rams vs. Buccaneers:

• Buccaneers vs. Rams spread: Tampa Bay -3 
• Buccaneers vs. Rams over-under: 48 points 
• Buccaneers vs. Rams money line: Los Angeles +125, Tampa Bay -145 
• LAR: Rams are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games against NFC opponents
• TB: Buccaneers are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games as home favorites
  
  

Why the Buccaneers can cover

Tampa Bay is led by veteran quarterback Tom Brady, the postseason leader in games (46), wins (35), passing yards (12,720), passing touchdowns (85), Super Bowl titles (7) and Super Bowl MVPs (5). During the regular season, Brady led the NFL in passing yards with a career-high 5,316 and touchdown passes with 43. His passing yards were the third-most in league history, while he had 485 completions, the most in a single-season all-time. He became the third quarterback since 1991 to lead the NFL in attempts, completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns in the same season. He also joined Drew Brees as the only quarterbacks with multiple 5,000-yard seasons and Aaron Rodgers as the only quarterbacks with three 40-plus passing touchdown seasons.

Wide receiver Mike Evans had 117 receiving yards and a touchdown catch in the NFC Wild Card win over Philadelphia. He also converted five first downs. Evans became the first player in league history with 1,000 receiving yards in his first eight seasons. He finished 2021 with 1,035 receiving yards and ranked second in the NFL with 14 receiving touchdowns. 

Why the Rams can cover 

Despite that, Tampa Bay is not a lock to cover the Rams vs. Buccaneers spread. That’s because Los Angeles also has an elite quarterback in Matthew Stafford. He was second in the NFL in touchdown passes (41), third in passing yards (4,886) and sixth in rating (102.9). He is one of six quarterbacks all-time with two or more seasons with 4,000 or more passing yards and 40 or more TD passes.

Stafford’s top target is wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who led the NFL with 145 receptions, 1,947 receiving yards and 16 receiving touchdowns this past season. He had the second-most catches and second-most receiving yards in a single season in league history. He also became the third player with 11 100-yard games in a season all-time. In the Wild Card win over Arizona, he caught five passes for 61 yards and one touchdown.

How to make Rams vs. Buccaneers picks

For Sunday’s Divisional matchup, White is leaning under on the total. He also has discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. He’s only sharing what it is, and which side of the Buccaneers vs. Rams spread to back at SportsLine.

So who wins Rams vs. Buccaneers in the 2022 NFL playoffs? And which critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see R.J. White’s Rams vs. Buccaneers picks and analysis, all from the NFL expert who’s 33-18 on against the spread picks involving Tampa Bay, and find out.