Buccaneers vs. Rams 2013, Week 16: St. Louis edges Tampa Bay

For Douglas M of Turf Show Times, the win was bittersweet due to the loss of one of their most important starters:

JC DeLaTorre of Bucs Nation is excited about the season coming to a close after a very rough year:

The Rams were favored by 3.5 points, according to OddsShark. They managed to cover.

St. Louis at Seattle, Dec. 29, 4:25 p.m. ET

The rookie out of West Virginia has been a multi-purpose player for St. Louis this season, as the Rams have used him in the ground game, through the air and as a returner. He has 40 receptions for 418 yards and four touchdowns this season, nine rushes for 151 yards and a score, 33 punt returns for 280 yards and a 98-yard touchdown (tied for third longest in NFL history) and 18 kick returns for 398 yards.

• Swing game: Short passes & speedy players are changing the NFL

Game Date/Time and Location: Sunday, Dec. 22, 1 p.m. ET at the Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Mo.

TV schedule and distribution map: FOX; The506.com

At 6-8, the Rams have no chance at the playoffs, but still have a shot to finish at .500 and build some momentum heading into 2014.

The Buccaneers’ defense has been a strength most of the season, but it was bullied by San Francisco. The defense has allowed just 109.6 rushing yards per game on the season, but was burned for 187 last week.

The Buccaneers are 4-10 on the season and have little to play for at this point in the season. After starting off on an 0-8 skid, however, the Bucs have been able to go 4-2 in the last six games.

• Swing game: Short passes & speedy players are changing the NFL

Still, the Rams have beat better teams, and are 6-8 on the season. St. Louis opened up as 4.5-point favorites to best the Buccaneers on Sunday. The line has only moved further in their favor throughout the week as well, according to OddsShark. Some sites had the Rams favored by a touchdown.

The over/under for the matchup opened at 42.5 points. That total has gone over in seven of Tampa Bay’s last 10 games, and over in six of St. Louis’ last eight games at home. It’s also gone under in six of Tampa Bay’s last eight games on the road.

Experts are, accordingly, picking the Rams to win on Sunday. SB Nation’s panel of six experts -- Ryan Van Bibber, Joel Thorman, Jason Chilton, Stephen White, David Fucillo and Matt Ufford -- were unanimous in picking the Rams to hold off the Bucs at the Edward Jones Dome.

Over at CBS Sports, it’s the same situation. All eight of their experts picked the Rams, as did their “Prediction Machine.” Pete Prisco, Jason La Canfora and Will Brinson were among those experts picking the Rams.