Los Angeles Rams vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Divisional Round 2021
Los Angeles Rams
AwayWon, advanced
30
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Home
27
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rams | 10 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 30 |
| Buccaneers | 3 | 0 | 10 | 14 | 27 |
LAR 30TB 27 Final
Passing leader
29.2PPR pts
28/38, 366 YDS, 2 TD, 1 RUSH TD
Top fantasy scorer
Leonard Fournette
31.7PPR pts
13 ATT, 51 YDS, 2 TD, 9 REC, 56 REC YDS
Buccaneers leader
25.9PPR pts
8 REC, 119 YDS, 1 TD
Defensive playmaker
Nick Scott
1 INT, 5 TKL
Rams 30, Buccaneers 27: Los Angeles holds off Tampa Bay in the 2021 Divisional Round
Los Angeles led 20–3 at halftime and won 30–27, though Tampa Bay took the second half 24–10. The Rams finished with a 428–359 edge in total offense and averaged 6.1 yards per play.
The Buccaneers went 3-for-14 on third down and committed two turnovers, while the Rams kept the ball for 34:08.
The Rams went on to win Super Bowl LVI.
The two teams meet again in Week 17 of 2026. If you roster anyone from either side, run the start/sit call in Redraft Command and it will weigh your lineup, your opponent and your league scoring, not only the player rankings.
Key advantages
- +1.0 yards/play LAR 6.1 · TB 5.1
- +69 total yards LAR 428 · TB 359
- +15% third-down rate LAR 36% · TB 21%
Game Highlights
Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube
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Why the Rams Won
Los Angeles won the efficiency, third-down, and time of possession battles.
| Rams | Stat | Buccaneers |
|---|---|---|
| 6.1 | Yards per play | 5.1 |
| 428 | Total yards | 359 |
| 36% | Third-down conversion | 21% |
| Other team stats | ||
| 70 | Plays | 71 |
| 4 | Turnovers | 2 |
| 34:08 | Time of possession | 25:52 |
Scoring Summary
The Rams scored three touchdowns and three field goals; the Buccaneers scored three touchdowns and two field goals.
| Time | Team | Play | LAR | TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st quarter | ||||
| 8:01 | LAR | Matt Gay 26-yard FG Takes lead | 3 | 0 |
| 3:28 | LAR | Matthew Stafford → Kendall Blanton, 7-yard TD Extends leadMatt Gay XP | 10 | 0 |
| 0:32 | TB | Ryan Succop 45-yard FG | 10 | 3 |
| 2nd quarter | ||||
| 14:17 | LAR | Matthew Stafford → Cooper Kupp, 70-yard TD Extends leadMatt Gay XP | 17 | 3 |
| 2:19 | LAR | Matt Gay 40-yard FG Extends lead | 20 | 3 |
| 3rd quarter | ||||
| 7:07 | LAR | Matthew Stafford 1-yard TD run Extends leadMatt Gay XP | 27 | 3 |
| 3:02 | TB | Ryan Succop 31-yard FG | 27 | 6 |
| 0:12 | TB | Leonard Fournette 1-yard TD runRyan Succop XP | 27 | 13 |
| 4th quarter | ||||
| 3:20 | TB | Tom Brady → Mike Evans, 55-yard TDRyan Succop XP | 27 | 20 |
| 0:42 | TB | Leonard Fournette 9-yard TD run Ties gameRyan Succop XP | 27 | 27 |
| 0:00 | LAR | Matt Gay 30-yard FG Game winner | 30 | 27 |
Playoff game: these points don't count in most season-long fantasy leagues.
Fantasy Points vs Expected
Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.
- Biggest overperformer+12.8Cooper Kupp31.3 PTS vs 18.5 xFP
- Biggest underperformer−14.7Cam Akers5.8 PTS vs 20.5 xFP
- Highest expected volume26.9 xFPMike Evans25.9 PTS scored
| Player | PTS | xFP | vs xFP | Snap% | Usage | Rte% | Pass att | Car | Car% | Tgt | Tgt% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike EvansTB · WR | 25.9 | 26.9 | −1.0 | — | 30% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 16 | 30% |
| Tom BradyTB · QB | 14.2 | 24.4 | −10.2 | — | 54 att | — | 54 | 1 | 7% | 0 | 0% |
| Leonard FournetteTB · RB | 31.7 | 23.5 | +8.2 | — | 93% car | — | 0 | 13 | 93% | 9 | 17% |
| Cam AkersLAR · RB | 5.8 | 20.5 | −14.7 | — | 80% car | — | 0 | 24 | 80% | 3 | 8% |
| Matthew StaffordLAR · QB | 29.2 | 19.3 | +9.9 | — | 38 att | — | 38 | 4 | 13% | 0 | 0% |
| Cooper KuppLAR · WR | 31.3 | 18.5 | +12.8 | — | 31% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 11 | 31% |
| Rob GronkowskiTB · TE | 12.5 | 18.5 | −6.0 | — | 21% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 11 | 21% |
| Odell Beckham Jr.LAR · WR | 12.9 | 13.5 | −0.6 | — | 22% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 8 | 22% |
| Tyler HigbeeLAR · TE | 9.1 | 11.8 | −2.7 | — | 19% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 7 | 19% |
| Scotty MillerTB · WR | 7.8 | 10.1 | −2.3 | — | 11% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 6 | 11% |
| Tyler JohnsonTB · WR | 4.5 | 10.1 | −5.6 | — | 11% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 6 | 11% |
| Van JeffersonLAR · WR | 6.4 | 5.7 | +0.7 | — | 8% tgt | — | 0 | 1 | 3% | 3 | 8% |
| Cameron BrateTB · TE | 1.9 | 5.1 | −3.2 | — | 6% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 3 | 6% |
| Sony MichelLAR · RB | 2.0 | 4.0 | −2.0 | — | 6% tgt | — | 0 | 1 | 3% | 2 | 6% |
| Kendall BlantonLAR · TE | 9.8 | 3.4 | +6.4 | — | 6% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 2 | 6% |
| Giovani BernardTB · RB | 0.0 | 1.7 | −1.7 | — | 2% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 2% |
| O.J. HowardTB · TE | 1.7 | 1.7 | 0.0 | — | 2% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 2% |
Team totals: Rams 36 targets and 30 carries; Buccaneers 53 targets and 14 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts aren't available for this game. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2021 season: 1.68 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.64 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.
Fantasy Verdicts
Matthew Stafford Ran hot
28 of 38 passing for 366 yards, 2 touchdowns; 4 carries for 6 yards and 1 touchdown.
Verdict: The opportunities were worth 19.3 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.
No interceptions after 8 in the previous four games. Best score since Week 3.
Tom Brady Unlucky
30 of 54 passing for 329 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception; 1 carry for 0 yards.
Verdict: The role was there, worth 24.4 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.
Fewest points since Week 15.
Cam Akers Volume, no payoff
3 targets (8% of the team's), 3 catches for 20 yards; 24 carries (80% of the team's) for 48 yards.
Verdict: The role was there, worth 20.5 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.
Trend: Season high in carries (24).
Cooper Kupp Ran hot
11 targets (31% of the team's), 9 catches for 183 yards and 1 touchdown.
Verdict: The opportunities were worth 18.5 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.
Best score since Week 15. A touchdown in 6 of the last 8 games.
Mike Evans Volume, no payoff
16 targets (30% of the team's), 8 catches for 119 yards and 1 touchdown.
Verdict: The points matched the role, 26.9 expected.
Season high in targets (16). A touchdown in 5 of the last 8 games.
Leonard Fournette Ran hot
9 targets (17% of the team's), 9 catches for 56 yards; 13 carries (93% of the team's) for 51 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Verdict: The opportunities were worth 23.5 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.
Best score since Week 12.
Rob Gronkowski Unlucky
11 targets (21% of the team's), 4 catches for 85 yards.
Verdict: The role was there, worth 18.5 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.
Tyler Johnson Unlucky
6 targets (11% of the team's), 3 catches for 15 yards.
Verdict: The role was there, worth 10.1 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.
Fantasy Matchups
Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2021 through Week 18.
| Points allowed to | Rams D | Buccaneers D |
|---|---|---|
| QBs | 16.0 | 17.5 |
| RBs | 20.9 | 21.7 |
| WRs | 36.5 | 34.8 |
| TEs | 11.9 | 13.3 |
Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.
How the Game Swung
Tampa Bay opened at 57% win probability and fell below 2% in the third quarter.
Buccaneers win probability
Key Swings
- −9Gay 26-yd FG57% → 48%Q1 8:01
- −21Stafford → Blanton, 7-yd TD47% → 26%Q1 3:28
- −18Stafford → Kupp, 70-yd TD33% → 15%Q2 14:17
- +51Fournette 9-yd TD run<1% → 51%Q4 0:42
- −50Gay 30-yd FG50% → <1%Q4 0:00
Swing in Buccaneers win probability, in points
Play Calling and Possessions
| Los Angeles Rams | Measure | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | Plays | 71 |
| 57% | Pass rate | 80% |
| 8.9 | Yds / dropback | 5.4 |
| 2.4 | Yds / carry | 3.6 |
| 4/11 | Third downs | 3/14 |
Efficiency edge Los Angeles ran 1 fewer plays but gained 3.5 more yards per dropback.
- Top targets
- LAR Kupp 31% · Beckham 22% · Higbee 19%
- TB Evans 30% · Gronkowski 21% · Fournette 17%
Possession Results
| Result | LAR | TB |
|---|---|---|
| Touchdowns | 3 | 3 |
| Field goals | 3 | 2 |
| Punts | 4 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 2 |
| Turnovers on downs | 0 | 2 |
| Missed field goals | 1 | 1 |
TB turnover edge: +2
- The Rams opened the scoring on their first possession, a 9-play, 72-yard drive that ended in a field goal.
- The Rams scored touchdowns on two of their first three drives.
All 30 possessions, drive by drive
| Team | Start | Plays | Yards | Time | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TB | Q1 15:00 | 5 | 23 | 2:15 | Punt |
| LAR | Q1 12:45 | 9 | 72 | 4:44 | Field goal |
| TB | Q1 8:01 | 3 | 1 | 0:46 | Punt |
| LAR | Q1 7:15 | 7 | 71 | 3:47 | Touchdown |
| TB | Q1 3:28 | 6 | 48 | 2:56 | Field goal |
| LAR | Q1 0:32 | 3 | 60 | 1:15 | Touchdown |
| TB | Q2 14:17 | 3 | 3 | 0:59 | Punt |
| LAR | Q2 13:18 | 3 | -3 | 0:46 | Punt |
| TB | Q2 12:32 | 12 | 50 | 3:32 | Missed FG |
| LAR | Q2 9:00 | 12 | 41 | 6:41 | Field goal |
| TB | Q2 2:19 | 2 | -7 | 0:26 | Interception |
| LAR | Q2 1:53 | 5 | 30 | 1:34 | Fumble |
| TB | Q2 0:19 | 1 | 0 | 0:19 | End of half |
| LAR | Q3 15:00 | 5 | 24 | 3:09 | Punt |
| TB | Q3 11:51 | 3 | 7 | 1:26 | Punt |
| LAR | Q3 10:25 | 6 | 28 | 3:18 | Touchdown |
| TB | Q3 7:07 | 10 | 62 | 4:05 | Field goal |
| LAR | Q3 3:02 | 1 | 0 | 0:17 | Fumble |
| TB | Q3 2:45 | 7 | 30 | 2:33 | Touchdown |
| LAR | Q3 0:12 | 3 | 0 | 0:31 | Punt |
| TB | Q4 14:41 | 1 | -5 | 0:08 | Fumble |
| LAR | Q4 14:33 | 1 | -25 | 0:08 | Fumble |
| TB | Q4 14:25 | 5 | 9 | 2:03 | Downs |
| LAR | Q4 12:22 | 9 | 49 | 5:51 | Missed FG |
| TB | Q4 6:31 | 6 | 32 | 2:05 | Downs |
| LAR | Q4 4:26 | 3 | 3 | 0:30 | Punt |
| TB | Q4 3:56 | 3 | 77 | 0:36 | Touchdown |
| LAR | Q4 3:20 | 2 | 6 | 0:55 | Fumble |
| TB | Q4 2:25 | 7 | 30 | 1:43 | Touchdown |
| LAR | Q4 0:42 | 5 | 63 | 0:42 | Field goal |
About these numbers
Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.
Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.
Rams vs Buccaneers Head-to-Head
The Rams and Buccaneers first met in 1977 and have played 30 times since.
- All-time series
- 20–10Rams lead, 30 meetings since 1977
- Postseason
- 3–0Rams won in 1979, 1999, and 2021
- Largest Rams win
- 35–31987
- Largest Buccaneers win
- 24–32007
Since 2021
3–1 Rams lead
4 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.
Oldest to newest. R = Rams win, B = Buccaneers win, outlined = this game.
2026 Meetings
- Week 17 Rams at Buccaneers Upcoming
Recent Meetings
- 2025 Wk 12 Buccaneers at Rams, 2025 Wk 12 recap LAR 34 TB 7 LAR W
- 2022 Wk 9 Rams at Buccaneers, 2022 Wk 9 recap TB 16 LAR 13 TB W
- 2021 Divisional Round Rams at Buccaneers LAR 30 TB 27 LAR W
- 2021 Wk 3 Buccaneers at Rams, 2021 Wk 3 recap LAR 34 TB 24 LAR W
Season to Date (Through Week 18)
The 2021 regular season, from each game's box score.
| Rams | Stat | Buccaneers |
|---|---|---|
| 12-5 | Record | 13-4 |
| 27.1 | Points per game | 30.1 |
| 372.1 | Yards per game | 405.9 |
| 6.0 | Yards per play | 6.1 |
| 21.9 | Points allowed per game | 20.8 |
| 344.9 | Yards allowed per game | 331.5 |
Rams vs Buccaneers Odds and Results
How this game finished against the betting lines.
- Spread
- TB −2.5Buccaneers failed to cover by 5.5
- Total
- 48Over: 57 points scored (by 9)
Expected vs Actual Scoring
| Team | Implied | Actual | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buccaneers | 25.3 | 27 | +1.8 |
| Rams | 22.8 | 30 | +7.3 |
Both offenses beat the market's expectation, and the Fantasy tab shows who cashed in.
Betting Trends
Last 2 meetings: Rams 2–0 ATS, overs 2–0.
Each team's 2021 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.
Los Angeles Rams
- Against the spread
- 10–9
- Over/under
- 10–8–1
- ATS as favorite
- 7–9
- ATS as underdog
- 3–0
- ATS on the road
- 5–5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Against the spread
- 10–9
- Over/under
- 10–9
- ATS as favorite
- 10–9
- ATS at home
- 7–3
Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.
Rams vs Buccaneers Fantasy Outlook for 2026
One meeting is left on the 2026 schedule: Week 17 in Tampa Bay. Here's how to decide who to play in your league.
- Start/Sit ToolShould your Rams or Buccaneers player start in Week 17? Compare the decision against your other options.
- Fantasy Football ProjectionsSee the latest weekly and rest-of-season projections for Rams and Buccaneers players.
- Fantasy Points Allowed by PositionHow the Rams and Buccaneers defenses have treated QBs, RBs, WRs and TEs.
- Strength of ScheduleWhere this matchup falls in each team's fantasy playoff run.
- Redraft CommandConnect your league for personalized lineup, trade and roster advice.
Keep Exploring
2021 Game Logs for Players in This Game
Rams vs Buccaneers Game FAQ
Who won the 2021 Rams vs Buccaneers Divisional Round game?
The Los Angeles Rams beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30–27 in the Divisional Round of the 2021 playoffs. The game was played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL, on January 23, 2022. See the Rams' 2021 schedule.
What was the final score of Rams vs Buccaneers?
The final score was Rams 30, Buccaneers 27. The Rams led 20–3 at halftime, and the second half went Rams 10, Buccaneers 24.
What happened in the Rams vs Buccaneers game?
Los Angeles led 20–3 at halftime and won 30–27, though Tampa Bay took the second half 24–10. The Rams finished with a 428–359 edge in total offense and averaged 6.1 yards per play. The Rams committed 4 turnovers, the Buccaneers 2.
What was the game-winning score in Rams vs Buccaneers?
Matt Gay's 30-yard field goal with 0:00 left in the fourth quarter gave the Rams a 30–27 lead they never gave up. It was the final score of the game.
How did the Rams beat the Buccaneers?
The Rams beat the Buccaneers 30–27 because they averaged 6.1 yards per play to 5.1 and outgained them 428–359. Matt Gay's 30-yard field goal put them ahead for good.
Which team won the turnover battle in Rams vs Buccaneers?
The Buccaneers won the turnover battle 4–2: the Rams gave the ball away 4 times and the Buccaneers 2 times. The Rams won the game anyway.
What was the turning point of Rams vs Buccaneers?
Leonard Fournette's 9-yard touchdown run with 0:42 left in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game, moving the Buccaneers' win probability from <1% to 51%.
What is the all-time Rams vs Buccaneers record?
The Rams lead the all-time series 20–10 across 30 meetings since 1977, including a 3–0 record in the postseason.
When did the Rams and Buccaneers last play before this game?
Before the 2021 Divisional Round, they last met in the 2021 season on September 26, 2021, when the Rams beat the Buccaneers 34–24.
Have the Rams and Buccaneers met in the playoffs?
Yes, 3 times, most recently in the 2021 playoffs. The Rams are 3–0 against the Buccaneers in the postseason.
What is the Rams vs Buccaneers record since 2021?
The Rams lead 3–1 across 4 meetings since the 2021 season, including this game.
What was the closing spread for Rams vs Buccaneers?
The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Buccaneers −2.5, making the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2.5-point favorites, with a closing total of 48. That implied about 25.3 points for the Buccaneers and 22.8 for the Rams.
Did Rams vs Buccaneers go over or under the total?
The game went over. The consensus closing total was 48, and the teams combined for 57 points, 9 over the number.
Who covered the spread in Rams vs Buccaneers?
The Rams covered as 2.5-point underdogs against the closing line of Buccaneers −2.5. The final margin was 3 points.