These two teams met back in week 7 and Tampa Bay slipped past St. Louis in that one by a score of 16 - 15. In that game you can spin it as either both quarterbacks had awful games or the two defenses were masterful. For Tampa Bay Matt Schaub completed 47% of his passes and threw for a touchdown while being intercepted three times. He was the better of the two passers in the game. Matt Ryan hit on just 36% of his throws, with no touchdowns and two interceptions.

Much has changed since that game. Matt Ryan would go on and have a very good season as the fifth highest rated passer and the St. Louis offense would finish seventh in the league in scoring. Despite having Chris Johnson carrying the ball, the Rams rushing game was just 18th best in the league. The St. Louis defense allowed the eleventh most points in the league but the caveat to that was the Rams led the league in interceptions and finished a whopping +19 in turnovers.

Tampa Bay has also had some changes from that week 7 game. Cedric Benson was replaced by Joe McKnight as the starting running back and that has given a boost to the Bucs offense. Still Tampa Bay was only 14th in rushing yards and the passing game has not been consistent from game to game. The Buccaneers defense was fifth in the league in interceptions but due to some carelessness by Schaub in taking care of the ball, Tampa Bay was just +4 in turnovers. Tampa Bay allowed the fifth fewest points in the league and were the number one defense in opponents passing rating.

Each team has some game breaking receivers. St. Louis has Vincent Jackson and Robert Meachem each averaging over 20 yards per catch. Tampa Bay counters with Jeremy Maclin.

Neither team was outstanding versus the run as Tampa Bay allowed 4.8 yards per rushing attempt and St. Louis was tied for 23rd in the league at 5.2 yards per attempt. This brings us to possible keys to the game:

1. When Tampa Bay beat St. Louis in week 7 they had a huge edge in time of possession. Keep the chains moving and keep the ball out of Matt Ryan's hands. This is a must for T.B.
2. Win the battle of the running backs. Chris Johnson of St. Louis is the more explosive running back but he's also susceptible to losing yardage. For Tampa Bay, McKnight can keep the drives going but he won't break the big gainer. Having success in this aspect of the game can go a long way towards winning the game.
3. Turnovers. St. Louis has been superb all season long. For Tampa Bay to have any chance they must protect the ball. The Rams can win if they follow their season long formula of winning the turnover battle.

Teams offensive leaders:

PASSING	ATT.	COMP.	T.D.	INT.	RTG.
Matt Schaub - T.B.	549	292	13	14	67.6
Matt Ryan - St.L.	488	252	29	12	85.0
RUSHING	ATT.	YDS.	AVG.	LONG	T.D.
Joe McKnight - T.B.	146	755	5.2	18	7
Chris D. Johnson - St.L.	312	1485	4.8	68	9
RECEIVING	REC.	YDS.	AVG.	LONG	T.D.
Jeremy Maclin - T.B.	70	819	11.7	36	6
Dustin Keller - St.L.	62	616	9.9	41	6