Anticipated matchup between Rams’ Jared Goff and Tampa Bay’s Jameis Winston isn’t likely

It had the makings of a marquee matchup, a potential duel between the top picks in the last two NFL drafts.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, the No. 1 pick in 2015, going up against Rams quarterback Jared Goff, this year’s No. 1 pick.

That was the thought in late April anyway.

Five months later, Winston is ready for a rematch with the Rams. Goff is … on hold.

When the Rams visit Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, Winston will have his sights set on exploiting a Rams defense ranked ninth in the NFL against the pass but still searching for an answer at cornerback.

Goff is expected to be on the sideline as the Rams’ backup behind starter Case Keenum, who directs the NFL’s lowest-ranked passing offense.

It’s a unit, and a Rams team, that has not scored a touchdown.

But the Rams are in a four-way tie in the NFC West at 1-1.

In a season that has featured rookie quarterbacks such as Carson Wentz of the Philadelphia Eagles, Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys, Jacoby Brissett of the New England Patriots and Cody Kessler of the Cleveland Browns either starting or scheduled to start for their teams, Goff remains on the sideline.

Coach Jeff Fisher has given no timetable for when Goff might play, saying only that the former California standout would make his regular-season debut “when he’s ready.”

Winston has started every game since the Buccaneers selected the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner from Florida State.

First-year Buccaneers Coach Dirk Koetter, the team’s offensive coordinator last season, said the decision to play Winston immediately “was made clear” when they chose him No. 1.

“He was going to be our starting quarterback,” Koetter said during a conference call with reporters, “and we were going to build around him.”

Asked when he felt comfortable that he could play and be a productive NFL quarterback, Winston did not cite a timeline.

“I think you just have to go out there because you never know when you’re really ready,” he said during a conference call. “You just have to go out there and compete.”

Goff probably won’t play against the Buccaneers unless Keenum is injured or commits numerous turnovers.

Last season, Keenum played well in the Rams’ 31-23 victory over the Buccaneers in what turned out to be the Rams’ final game in St. Louis.

He completed 14 of 17 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns. Receivers Tavon Austin and Kenny Britt scored on touchdown-pass plays and Austin and running back Todd Gurley rushed for touchdowns.

Fisher used that game as fodder this week, telling players that he found a box at the team’s temporary facility at Cal Lutheran and that it was “full of touchdowns.” Fisher then showed players the taped scoring plays from the game.

Winston remembered the game because the teams wore so-called “color rush” uniforms — the Rams in yellow, the Buccaneers red — leaving players, reporters and fans to dub the matchup the “ketchup and mustard” game. Winston completed 29 of 50 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns, with an interception.

The Rams did not record a sack but “I got hit a lot,” he said.

The 6-foot-4, 231-pound Winston did not give in.

“He’s a legitimate tough guy in our league,” Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said. “He took a lot of contact in our game and he kept on going.”

Winston opened this season by passing for four touchdowns, with one interception, in a victory over Atlanta. He had four passes intercepted and also fumbled in a defeat at Arizona last week.

Against the Rams, Winston will probably target cornerback Troy Hill if Hill starts opposite Trumaine Johnson. Last week, Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson immediately tried to exploit the former undrafted free agent after he replaced Coty Sensabaugh during the Rams’ 9-3 victory.

Hill, who attended Oregon, played against Winston during the Ducks’ 2015 Rose Bowl victory over Florida State.

“He’s not going to quit,” Hill said.

Keenum came back from a season-opening shutout defeat by the San Francisco 49ers and played turnover-free against the Seahawks.

But the Rams have been inside the 20-yard-line only once in two games.

Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy told Tampa reporters that the Rams have multiple playmakers on offense, including Gurley, Austin, Britt.

“And Case Keenum [isn’t a] joke either,” McCoy said. “He gets the ball out of his hands really quick.

“So don’t be fooled by what you’ve seen in the first two weeks. This is a week-to-week league, anything can happen.”

And what happens if the Rams’ offense again fails to score a touchdown?

It could force the Rams to make a move at quarterback, setting up another potential matchup next week between No. 1 overall picks: Goff and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer.

gary.klein@latimes.com

Twitter: @LATimesklein