Bold Predictions for NFL Week 3: Buccaneers at Rams:

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are playing the Rams this week in Los Angeles. Talk about a big task early on in the season.

Check out which Bucs Nation staff writer makes the boldest claim for this week’s game below!

Bailey: Given that the Bucs had to place Antonio Brown on the Reserve/COVID-19 list this week, they will very likely be without him on Sunday in Los Angeles. That’s especially unfortunate considering Brown had a team-high eight catches for 57 yards in last year’s game against the Rams, but the good news is that Tampa Bay has depth out wide. The next man up will presumably be Scotty Miller, who would be a top-three receiver on just about any other team. We know what Miller can do, and that’s why I’m focusing my bold prediction on him this week. Not only will he come away with the longest catch of the game between either team, but I’m thinking he scores two touchdowns as well.

James: With Jason Pierre-Paul either limited or completely out, it’s time for the rookie to shine. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka will see more snaps this Sunday than he has in the first two weeks combined. With that comes his ability to get his timing down and being able to figure out how to beat his man. The more snaps he gets, the more effective he’s going to be. So, here it is - Tryon-Shoyinka will finish the game with two sacks and one of them will be a strip sack, giving the Bucs a takeaway that will lead to a score. It’s JTS’ world, we’re just living in it.

David: The Rams have started 2-0, and while it’s impressive it hasn’t been without the help of the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears shooting themselves in their own proverbial feet. Whether it’s unconverted way-too-early fourth-down conversion tries or endzone passes thrown into thick defensive haze leading to interceptions, both of the Rams’ first two games could have started, and therefore ended, much differently. Because of these mistakes, the Rams are tied for second in the NFL in takeaways after two weeks, but Tampa Bay isn’t going to contribute to that ranking in Week 3. My bold prediction is the Bucs will provide zero turnover opportunities in Week 3. That’s not just zero giveaways. That’s no fumbles, even the self-recovered kind, and no interceptable passes from Tom Brady.

Mike: This feels like the O.J. Howard breakout game. The Rams will be focused up on Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Rob Gronkowski. Without Antonio Brown, it’s easy to lean toward Scotty Miller or Tyler Johnson, but Howard should be feeling more and more like himself as he becomes further removed from last year’s torn Achilles tendon. He had a 21-yard reception against the Falcons, and I think he triples that total this week. Give me 5 catches for 60 yards — neither of which we’ve seen from him since December 2019 — and a touchdown.

Editor’s Pick by Gil Arcia: James has pretty much been the closest if not damn-near spot on with his predictions. However, I haven’t picked either of his bold predictions so far this season and I won’t be doing so again. The Rams offense may burn the the Buccaneers defense early and often through Sunday afternoon. So their best defense — and best chance to win — would be a stellar, clock controller offense. That’s part of playing a perfect game on offense, so I think David has the right idea for Week 3 against the Rams.