The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7) and St. Louis Rams (5-8) look to strengthen their playoff contention hopes when they face each other at the Edward Jones Dome on Thursday, December 17 for a Week 15 matchup in the 2015 NFL season.
Tampa Bay dropped a sorry 24-17 decision to New Orleans last Sunday at their Raymond James Stadium as the Saints avenged their Week 2 defeat to the Bucs, as per NBC Sports' Pro Football Talk.
It was the second loss in three games for Lovie Smith's boys, making their postseason chances a little slimmer. The team is currently tied with the Atlanta Falcons for the second spot in the NFC South division.
Meanwhile, the Rams pulled off an impressive 21-14 win against the Detroit Lions to snap their five-game losing skid and keep their playoff hopes alive, via Yahoo Sports.
St. Louis is now at the third spot in the NFC West division, behind Arizona and Seattle. Mathematically, they could still advance in the playoffs if the Seahawks lose all their remaining three games while they win all of theirs.
The Rams are projected to win this game at home versus the Bucs although their probability of entering the postseason is still quite slim even then.
Prediction: Rams win, 21-17.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting lineup
Offense: Winston (QB), Martin (RB), Lane (FB), Evans (WR1), Shepard (WR2), Seferian-Jenkins (TE), D. Smith (LT), Mankins (LG), Hawley (C), Marpet (RG), Cherilus (RT)
Defense: Jones (DE), McCoy (DT), McDaniel (DT), Gholston (DE), Lansanah (OLB), Carter (MLB), David (OLB), Moore (CB1), Adjei-Barimah (CB2), Conte (SS), McDougald (FS)
St. Louis Rams starting lineup
Offense: Foles (QB), Gurley (RB), Britt (WR1), Austin (WR2), Cook (TE1), Kendricks (TE2), Robinson (LT), Reynolds (RG), Barnes (C), Wichmann (RG), Havenstein (RT)
Defense: Long (DE), Donald (DT), Brockers (DT), Hayes (DE), Barron (OLB), Laurinaitis (MLB), Ayers (OLB), Johnson (CB1), Roberson (CB2), Alexander (SS), McLeod (FS)