Buccaneers vs. Rams Prediction & Odds for Sunday Night Football: NFL Week 12 Betting Preview

My best Buccaneers vs. Rams prediction for the 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday Night Football game (NBC/Peacock) at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., focuses on the defensive strengths of the Rams and the poor pass defense of the Buccaneers. The Rams are favored by 6.5 points.

Can Baker Mayfield start playing like he did in the early portion of the season, or will the combination of Matthew Stafford and the Rams’ dominant defense pick up another win? For more coverage of this game, check out our NFL Week 12 predictions.

✅ Buccaneers vs. Rams prediction & expert picks

See all of our experts' NFL picks for Week 12.

🏈 Sunday Night Football preview & score prediction

The Rams will win by at least 6.5, because they’ve won five consecutive games, with four of those wins coming by double digits. Matthew Stafford has thrown 27 touchdowns and just two interceptions, the defense ranks second in points allowed per game (17.2), and at +10, the Rams have the second-best turnover margin in the league.

Baker Mayfield needs to find his early-season magic

The Buccaneers have lost three of their last four, including two games by at least 12 points. During that span, Mayfield has failed to throw for more than 175 yards twice.

The good news for Mayfield is that the Rams are just average against the pass. They’re allowing 222.3 yards per game (21st), and opponents are completing 65.1% of their passes (17th).

However, the Buccaneers’ defense is even worse in both categories, and they’re allowing 241.6 passing yards per game. Stafford has thrown 22 touchdowns and zero interceptions in his last seven games, and in a good matchup, I expect him to dominate again, as the Rams win the turnover battle and this game easily.

Caesars’ price implies a 53.27% chance that the Rams cover. A $10 bet would profit $8.77.

Score prediction: Rams 27, Buccaneers 17

🆚 Key matchup to watch on SNF

Puka Nacua vs. the Buccaneers’ secondary

After starting the season with at least 10 catches in four of his first five games, he’s caught seven or fewer passes in four consecutive. Additionally, he’s recorded 75 or fewer yards in three of his last four, after recording at least 85 in five consecutive games to start the season.

But this is a great matchup for Nacua. In addition to the Buccaneers having the 28th-ranked pass defense, they’re allowing 11.6 yards per reception, third-most in the league. Nacua is averaging 11.6 yards per reception, but has recorded a better average than that in five of his nine games.

With Nacua being targeted at least eight times in all but two games, look for him to catch plenty of passes against a defense allowing opponents to complete 65.6% of their passes. And those passes will turn into plenty of yards against a defense that allows a lot of big plays.

Best prop bet: Puka Nacua Over 87.5 receiving yards (-114 via FanDuel)

📊 Buccaneers vs. Rams odds

See live NFL odds for every game in Week 12.

📈 Buccaneers vs. Rams betting trends

🚑 Buccaneers vs. Rams injury report

🌤️ Buccaneers vs. Rams weather

This game will be played indoors at SoFi Stadium, so weather won't be a factor for Buccaneers vs. Rams on Sunday.

Check our NFL weather report for the latest forecasts and betting impacts for every game this week.

📺 How to watch Sunday Night Football: Buccaneers vs. Rams

• Date: Sunday, Nov. 23
• Kickoff: 8:20 p.m. ET
• Location: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, Calif.)
• TV: NBC/Peacock