The Buccaneers make their first appearance in the Gateway City since 1987 as these clubs collide for the first time since 1994 while the Rams host this series for the first time since 1987.
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| Can Warren Sapp and the Bucs' defense slow down the Rams' potent offense. |
Including playoffs, while the Rams own a 9-3 overall advantage in this setting, the Buccaneers posted a 24-14 triumph in 1994 over the then-L.A. Rams at Tampa's since-departed "Big Sombrero" in the last encounter between the clubs.
Of course, one of the Rams' nine victories in this series was a less-than-scintillating 9-0 victory in Tampa by the then-L.A. Rams (under since-departed head coach Ray Malavasi) in the 1979 NFC Championship Game in the lone postseason encounter between the clubs.
The Buccaneers own a "perfect" 0-4 road mark in this series dating back to 1977 (0-2 at the L.A. Coliseum, 0-2 at Anaheim) and have lost those four games by a combined score of 118-46 (31-0, 26-23, 26-20 in OT, 35-3), their last road tilt in this series resulting in a 35-3 loss at Anaheim in 1987.
Numbers: Including playoffs, the Buccaneers have totaled 27 takeaways in their last 10 games (9-1), this after forcing just 6 turnovers in their first 7 contests (3-4) in '99. Including playoffs, the Buccaneers have forced 49 turnovers in 20 wins, 10 turnovers in 13 losses dating back to '98. Including playoffs, they have been outscored a combined 89-34 in the first quarter in 17 games in '99.
Including playoffs, the Rams have scored 73 touchdowns (61 offensive, 12 returns) in 17 games in '99. Including playoffs, in his last 32 games dating back to last season (16 with Colts in '98, 17 with Rams in '99), Rams RB Marshall Faulk has gained 4,757 yards from scrimmage and scored 24 touchdowns, rushing for 2,721 yards and 14 touchdowns, plus catching 178 passes for 2,036 yards and 10 touchdowns. Including playoffs, Rams QB Kurt Warner has thrown 46 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions in 17 games in '99 (14-3). In '98, since-departed Rams QBs Tony Banks and Steve Bono combined to throw just 12 touchdown passes and 18 interceptions in 16 games in '98 (4-12). Including playoffs, Warner has thrown two or more touchdown passes in seven straight games and 15-of-17 contests in '99, and three or more touchdown passes in 10-of-17 contests in '99.
Including playoffs, the Rams have scored 30 or more points in seven straight games. Including playoffs, in 17 games in '99 (14-3), Rams have outscored the opposition a combined 137-52 (plus-85) in the first quarter. In 16 games in '98 (4-12), the Rams were outscored a combined 116-37 (minus-79) in the first quarter. Including playoffs, the Rams have scored 612 points in 18 wins, 248 points in 15 losses dating back to '98. Including playoffs, the Rams have forced two or more turnovers in nine straight games. Including playoffs, Rams WR Isaac Bruce has scored at least one touchdown in 10-of-17 contests in '99. Including playoffs, the Rams have allowed 20 sacks in 14 wins, 15 sacks in three losses in '99. Including playoffs, the Rams have forced 37 turnovers in 14 wins, two takeaways in three losses in '99. Including playoffs, the Rams have limited the opposition to fewer than 100 yards rushing in six straight games.
The Coaches: Buccaneers head coach Tony Dungy is 2-1 in postseason play, while Rams head coach Dick Vermeil is 4-4 in postseason play (3-4 with Eagles, 1-0 with Rams).
Postseason History: The Buccaneers are making their 5th overall playoff appearance (5th since merger) and are 3-4 in postseason play (3-4 since merger), while Rams are making their 23rd overall playoff appearance (15th since merger) and are 14-20 in postseason play (11-14 since merger).
Things To Look For: While defense has usually won championships, and the Buccaneers certainly own a championship caliber defensive unit, Tony Dungy's team lacks firepower on offense and they will need every point they can get against a Rams' team that can score at will. And speaking of defense, St. Louis' underrated unit will make a major statement here as they spend the afternoon in the Tampa backfield.
Etc.: The Buccaneers are making only their second conference title game appearance and their first NFC Championship Game appearance since 1979, when they lost to then L.A. Rams, 9-0, at Tampa under since-departed head coach John McKay. The Buccaneers' first-ever playoff victory came in 1979, a 24-17 win over Dick Vermeil's Eagles at Tampa in the 1979 NFC Divisional Playoffs.
The Rams are just 3-9 lifetime in NFC/NFL Championship Games (1-6 in NFC Championship Games, 2-3 in NFL Championship Games) and are making their first NFC Championship Game appearance since 1989, when the then-L.A. Rams lost at San Francisco, 30-3, under since-departed head coach John Robinson. With a victory, Rams head coach Dick Vermeil would become just the fourth head coach in NFL history to take two different teams (Eagles and Rams) to the Super Bowl, joining Don Shula (Colts and Dolphins), Bill Parcells (Giants and Patriots) and Dan Reeves (Broncos and Falcons). After losing their first five games in '96 and opening 1-8 under head coach Tony Dungy, the Buccaneers are 36-22 in their last 58 contests dating back to '96 (including 2-1 in playoffs). Since 1996 (including playoffs), the Buccaneers are 37-30 under head coach Tony Dungy, including just 15-19 vs. NFC Central rivals and 22-11 vs. the rest of the NFL. Including playoffs (0-1), the Buccaneers are 21-60 on the road in the 1990s (4-4 in '99). Including playoffs, the Rams have won nine straight home games in 1999 by a combined score of 330-121 (27-10, 35-7, 42-20, 34-3, 35-10, 43-12, 31-10,
34-12 and 49-37) and 10 straight home games dating back to '98, by a combined score of 362-139, winning all 10 contests by 12 or more points (including a 32-18 win over New England in Week 15 of '98).
