St. Louis Rams' inconsistent passing game gets showcase vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Steven Jackson's quest for another 1000-yard season is the biggest offensive storyline for the St. Louis Rams going into their post-elimination matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but Sam Bradford and Danny Amendola's performance could be much important. Turf Show Times explains why: The Bucs' pass defense is allowing 8.1 yards per pass attempt this year.

Of course, Drew Brees is responsible for 700-some of those yards in two games. But they also allowed 500 to Eli Manning in one game, and 381 to Nick Foles in another, so Bradford won't have to hit Brees levels to, well, look like Drew Brees. That means this is also a near-perfect chance for Chris Givens to bounce back after two invisible games in a row, and for Danny Amendola to complete his comeback from that foot injury.

Of course, it's also a chance for Sam Bradford to fail, once again, to suggest he's capable of anything except a career as a frustratingly average quarterback. But this is--even after the flirtation with the playoffs has ended-- a season for optimism, so let's not consider that possibility until he forces us to, all right? The bulk of his work didn't last week didn't come until after the Minnesota Vikings were up big, but he did finish 35-for-55 with 377 yards and three touchdowns.