TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a run-first team that will be without its primary ball carrier, Doug Martin. The Los Angeles Rams' greatest strength resides throughout their defensive line, a unit that won't have to go up against the Bucs' best run blocker and pass protector, Luke Stocker. Stocker is one of two Bucs tight ends who won't play on Sunday, with the other, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, waived after being hit with a DUI charge on Friday morning. Out, too, will be Robert Ayers, a man who gets more snaps than anyone on Tampa Bay's defensive line.

So, yes, the Rams will be on the road, flying across the country as the only NFL team without a touchdown -- but they should take advantage of the Bucs' injuries and win this game.

One near-certainty: Jameis Winston will throw often.

The second-year star quarterback played brilliantly in a 31-24 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1 (91.8 QBR), then terribly in a 40-7 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2 (23.2 QBR). He threw for 363 yards with two touchdowns and an interception when he faced the Rams in Week 15 last year, somehow persevering through 12 hits. But a lot of his success comes off the play-action pass, and that department will suffer without a tough inside runner like Martin.

Key for the Rams will be whether E.J. Gaines -- officially listed as questionable with an injury to his left thigh -- will be ready to line up as one of the outside corners to help defend a couple of menacing 6-foot-5 receivers in Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson.

Even more important for the Rams will be getting Todd Gurley going, after the star running back rushed for only 98 yards on 36 carries over the first two weeks. Gurley gained just 48 yards on 21 carries against the Bucs last year, but he's too good to be held down much longer. Look for him to break out on Sunday and for the Rams to beat the Bucs for the fifth consecutive year, giving Jeff Fisher his first Week 3 win since joining the organization in 2012. (Yeah, that's right, first Week 3 win in five years.)

Prediction: Rams 20, Buccaneers 17