If the Green Bay Packers needed any added incentive for their game Sunday they got it Saturday when the Washington Redskins upset the Philadelphia Eagles. Now, with a win against Tampa Bay, the Packers can clinch a playoff spot.
Last week it seemed like everybody had a bad feeling about the game, which does not bode well for the Packers with the same kind of defenses coming up with Detroit next week and teams like Seattle and Arizona possible in the playoffs. But this week, everybody thinks it’s going to be a cakewalk. I beg to differ.
The Packers are a playoff caliber team no doubt and it would be a shame if they missed out, but they can’t waltz into Raymond James Stadium and think it’ll be a walk in the park. The Bucs may have a bad record but they are not a team that has thrown in the towel by any stretch. Throw in the fact that head coach Lovie Smith knows the Packers inside and out, I expect a battle on Sun Coast.
The Bucs have two tall receivers of the type that have given the Packers problems over the years and a quarterback who beat the Packers last year in Lambeau Field. I do think if the Packers’ defense can play like they did last week the Packers’ offense will have enough opportunities to take advantage of the Bucs pedestrian secondary to score some points.
I’ll go out on a limb and predict a two touchdown victory for the Packers, 31-17.