The Green Bay Packers’ hopes for a division title and a home-field advantage in the playoffs took a major blow when they lost to the Buffalo Bills last Sunday. The Packers need this win to keep pace with the Detroit Lions, when they head south to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Will the Packers remain in the hunt for the division championship? Or will the Bucs derail Green Bay with a massive upset?
For more football, check out our complete preview and predictions for all NFL Week 16 games here.
[sc:Football ]Green Bay Packers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preview and Prediction
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
When: Sunday, December 21, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Green Bay Packers (-10.5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+10.5); total 48.5 – see all NFL lines
Betting on the Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers won’t be talking about last Sunday’s game when he’s inducted into the Hall of Fame one day, that’s for sure.
[sc:NFL240banner ]After five consecutive wins by the Packers—wherein Rodgers played so great to the point that pundits have been installing him as one of the best ever—the quarterback finally had a game that suggests he is human after all. Rodgers completed just 17 of 42 passes without a touchdown in the Packers’ 21-13 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Worse, Rodgers also threw two interceptions to mark the first time in his career that he finished a game without a passing touchdown and multiple picks. His struggles were clearly the effects of Buffalo’s suffocating defense.
Green Bay has been particularly vulnerable when playing on the road against some of the best defensive teams in the league. Three of the Packers’ four losses came from road games against the Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, and the Bills. The Packers aren’t likely to come across the same level of defense next Sunday, though, as Tampa Bay (allows 366.6 total yards per game) doesn’t seem to have the capability to repulse Green Bay’s offense for an entire game.
Aside from Rodgers, the Packers’ backfield could also see a continuation of its success against the Bucs, particularly from Eddie Lacy. Lacy has been superb over Green Bay’s last five games, averaging 92.4 rushing yards per game with four touchdowns.
The under is 3-1 in the Packers’ last four games overall.
Create a betting account now and see if you can hit it big time this coming Week 16.
Betting on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Same result, different week. The free fall continues for the Buccaneers, who have now lost their last four games after suffering a 19-17 setback Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.
Similar to a lot of their losses this season, the Bucs were hobbled by their lackluster offense against Carolina. The Bucs finished with only 136 passing yards, almost the same number of rushing yards by Carolina, which had 121 on the ground.
Josh McCown completed 12 of 28 passes for just 136 yards with a touchdown and an interception. As always, the Bucs’ offensive line couldn’t keep the opposing team’s pass rush from getting to McCown, who was sacked three times for a loss of 18 yards.
McCown didn’t help himself either as he lost two fumbles. Overall, McCown has been a disaster at the helm of Tampa Bay’s passing game. He has been unable to utilize efficiently the wide receiver tandem of Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson. In nine starts this season, McCown has thrown more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (10) and has nine fumbles.
With McCown clearly a disappointment, the Bucs might probably turn more to its backfield for yard production against Green Bay. After all, Doug Martin finally showed signs of life in the Carolina game. Martin had his best game of the season against the Panthers, rushing for a season-high 96 yards on 14 carries.
Pounding the rock seems even more ideal considering Green Bay’s struggles stopping rushing attacks. The Packers are currently ranked 24th in the league in rushing defense with 124.8 yards allowed per game.
The under is 7-3 in the Bucs’ last 10 games overall.
Writer’s Prediction
Green Bay wins, 38-14.
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