This will be the final game in this exciting series b/t the Pack and the Bucs. With the realignment of the league, the Bucs will be moved out of the Central, while the Packers will stay.
Historically, this particular matchup between these two teams has been very very close! Five of the last six series matchups, have been decided by SEVEN points or less, including the Bucs 14-10 win in Tampa last month. That day, the Bucs intercepted Brett Favre three times, with one pickoff being returned 98 yards for a touchdown by linebacker Shelton Quarles. Despite throwing three interceptions, Favre nearly directed another of his patented game-winning drives. The Packers reached the Tampa Bay 8 with 35 seconds left, but defensive tackle Anthony McFarland sacked Favre for a loss. Facing a 4th-and-15 play at the Tampa Bay 18, Favre threw his last int.
However, playing in the chilly weather at Lambeau has yielded the Bucs with 12 straight losses! And if the temperature is 34 or below, Favre is a certain winner and the Bucs a certain loser. Favre is a perfect 27-0 at home in that climate and the Bucs are 0-19 all-time when the temperature is under 40 degrees.
The Bucs have a significant amount of injuries:
NT Anthony McFarland (Knee)
WR Jacquez Green (Groin)
FS John Howell (Concussion)
FS Eric Vance (Back)
MLB Nate Webster (Shoulder)
WR Reidel Anthony (Hip)
OLB Derrick Brooks (Foot)
RB Warrick Dunn (Hamstring)
OLB Jeff Gooch (Shoulder)
WR Keyshawn Johnson (Knee)
DE Marcus Jones (Elbow)
. Look for the Packers to get back to playing power football from the I formation, which should also make their play-action passing game much more effective and get the screen game working again.
On defense, the Packers played well against the Bucs the first time around, holding them to 253 yards and 4.8 yards per play. But the Bucs won the time-of-possession battle with 31:49, converted well on third down and won the game on Mike Alstott's 39-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. The Packers abused tackles Kenyatta Walker and Jerry Wunsch on the pass rush, making life miserable for Brad Johnson. Warrick Dunn missed the first game but is expected to play Sunday, which will make coverage tough for rotating dime linebackers Na'il Diggs and Nate Wayne.
The Bucs are beat up, especially on the defensive line, where they could be without two starters -- defensive tackle Anthony McFarland and defensive end Marcus Jones.
McFarland will miss 2-3 weeks with a knee sprain and Jones may not play due to an elbow sprain.
That would mean the Bucs would start defensive tackle James Cannida in McFarland's spot and play defensive end Steve White for Jones. The backups at defensive tackle would be Ellis Wyms and Chartric Darby.
McFarland is having a good year, especially against the run, and will be missed.
The Bucs will have to use max protection for quarterback Brad Johnson, who was sacked three times in the last meeting by defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila.
Defensively, the key is always stopping running back Ahman Green. But that might not be as easy with starters Anthony McFarland and Marcus Jones out with injuries.
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I'm not a big fan of teasers, but being able to get the Packers plus points is just too good to pass up. I'd LOVE to get the Pack at +3, but I'll settle for the +2.
I also don't think ya can pass up the UNDER @ 44. I'm basically ignoring the Minny/Tampa game from last week and the unusual amount of pts. the Tampa offense put up. Big difference b/t the Packer's defense and the Vikes. I'm thinking the Packers will win and continue the streak of consecutive victories at Lambeau. However, I also think it's possible the scoring margin will be less than five.
Historically, this particular matchup between these two teams has been very very close! Five of the last six series matchups, have been decided by SEVEN points or less, including the Bucs 14-10 win in Tampa last month. That day, the Bucs intercepted Brett Favre three times, with one pickoff being returned 98 yards for a touchdown by linebacker Shelton Quarles. Despite throwing three interceptions, Favre nearly directed another of his patented game-winning drives. The Packers reached the Tampa Bay 8 with 35 seconds left, but defensive tackle Anthony McFarland sacked Favre for a loss. Facing a 4th-and-15 play at the Tampa Bay 18, Favre threw his last int.
However, playing in the chilly weather at Lambeau has yielded the Bucs with 12 straight losses! And if the temperature is 34 or below, Favre is a certain winner and the Bucs a certain loser. Favre is a perfect 27-0 at home in that climate and the Bucs are 0-19 all-time when the temperature is under 40 degrees.
The Bucs have a significant amount of injuries:
NT Anthony McFarland (Knee)
WR Jacquez Green (Groin)
FS John Howell (Concussion)
FS Eric Vance (Back)
MLB Nate Webster (Shoulder)
WR Reidel Anthony (Hip)
OLB Derrick Brooks (Foot)
RB Warrick Dunn (Hamstring)
OLB Jeff Gooch (Shoulder)
WR Keyshawn Johnson (Knee)
DE Marcus Jones (Elbow)
. Look for the Packers to get back to playing power football from the I formation, which should also make their play-action passing game much more effective and get the screen game working again.
On defense, the Packers played well against the Bucs the first time around, holding them to 253 yards and 4.8 yards per play. But the Bucs won the time-of-possession battle with 31:49, converted well on third down and won the game on Mike Alstott's 39-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. The Packers abused tackles Kenyatta Walker and Jerry Wunsch on the pass rush, making life miserable for Brad Johnson. Warrick Dunn missed the first game but is expected to play Sunday, which will make coverage tough for rotating dime linebackers Na'il Diggs and Nate Wayne.
The Bucs are beat up, especially on the defensive line, where they could be without two starters -- defensive tackle Anthony McFarland and defensive end Marcus Jones.
McFarland will miss 2-3 weeks with a knee sprain and Jones may not play due to an elbow sprain.
That would mean the Bucs would start defensive tackle James Cannida in McFarland's spot and play defensive end Steve White for Jones. The backups at defensive tackle would be Ellis Wyms and Chartric Darby.
McFarland is having a good year, especially against the run, and will be missed.
The Bucs will have to use max protection for quarterback Brad Johnson, who was sacked three times in the last meeting by defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila.
Defensively, the key is always stopping running back Ahman Green. But that might not be as easy with starters Anthony McFarland and Marcus Jones out with injuries.
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I'm not a big fan of teasers, but being able to get the Packers plus points is just too good to pass up. I'd LOVE to get the Pack at +3, but I'll settle for the +2.
