Tom Ackerman on the Rams-Bucs...
RAMS "O", BUCS "D": The NFC Championship is a matchup made in heaven.
The high-flying St. Louis Rams put touchdowns on the board seemingly
without breaking a sweat, the stingy Tampa Bay defenders don't
allow them. Look for S John Lynch to get physical with
the Rams' receivers and for CB's Ronde Barber and Donnie
Abraham to utilize their speed in coverage. The problem
for Tampa Bay will be the short pass. Because their secondary
will likely play for the deep ball, the Rams should be able to
counter-attack with RB Marshall Faulk underneath. Buccaneer
LB's Hardy Nickerson and Derrick Brooks are elite
players, but neither are capable of covering a running back,
especially Faulk. QB Kurt Warner is the most accurate
passer in the league, and his receivers are among the most crisp
route runners. With a short field, Warner can still pick you
apart.
BUCS "O", RAMS "D":
Will the Rams put early pressure on
rookie QB Shaun King? Sure, but because he doesn't have
a lot of options through the air, stopping the run will be top
priority. FB Mike Alstott is a load to bring down, and
RB Warrick Dunn is the perfect complement - a shifty,
elusive runner with speed. If the Rams can get a handle on the
Bucs' ground game, the rest of the challenge will be defined.
"We'll try to put the game in Shaun King's hands,"
said DE Grant Wistrom. King is poised for a first-year
player, but DT D'Marco Farr thinks the hostile environment
of the Trans World Dome could be too much for a rookie. "I
wouldn't want to be him," Farr said. "He's going to
get hit and hit hard. I hope he's ready."
INJURY UPDATE: PK
Jeff Wilkins says he's fit to play after drilling several
deep field goals in practice on Thursday. Wilkins has been bothered
by tendinitis in his left knee. In planting his foot to kick,
he still suffers pain, but insists he can withstand it. S Keith
Lyle has missed eight games with a pinched nerve in his neck,
but is listed as "probable" and is likely to play against
Tampa Bay. Lyle won't start, but he'll get the call in key situations
on Sunday. For the Buccaneers, DT Warren Sapp, the NFL's
Defensive Player of the Year, strained a hamstring in practice
this week but should be fine by game time. Instead of going
full-throttle on the field, Sapp has received treatment and has
participated in individual workouts.
Prediction: Tampa
Bay's defense sets an early tone, but Rams score a couple of
second-half touchdowns to pull away. Rams 24, Buccaneers
9.
Listen to Tom Ackerman and Randy Karraker post-game Sunday
on KMOX AM-1120
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