The Green Bay Packers versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Battle of the Bays, or Bay of Pigs as Chris Berman liked to call the rivalry back in the 80s and early 90s. Whatever you want to call it these days the winner of Sunday’s game is going to the Super Bowl. I have a feeling it’s going to be a dandy.
Both teams are peaking at the right time, the Packers have won seven games in a row and the Bucs have won six straight. Both teams are fairly healthy. The Packers are obviously missing All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari, but they seem to have overcome that as well as possible the last three games. Tampa Bay is getting defensive lineman Vita Vea back after a lengthy stint on injured reserve, which could help bolster their already stellar run defense.
The Packers are favored by thee-and-a-half to four points at most places and about even with the Chiefs in odds to win the Super Bowl. Those south of the Wisconsin border at Illinois gambling and other sportsbooks are getting tons of action on this game. Follow the line closely, the sharps will probably come in late. It will be interesting to see who they favor closer to game time.
I am favoring the Green Bay Packers. As the week went on I have grown more and more confident. I just think if the Packers are going to get back to the Super Bowl one more time in Aaron Rodgers’ career this has to be it. This is by far the best team he has had since 2010, and in head coach Matt LaFleur’s offense he himself has never played better.
The Packers’ defense has been getting better each week and last week they held the leagues 11th ranked offense to 244 yards. It will take an even greater effort against Tom Brady, whose Bucs’ offense finished seventh. I think the Packers are up to the task on both sides of the ball. And Bucs’ linebacker Devin White’s comments from early this year should help as well. Comments like this are not forgotten in the NFL.
I think this is going to be a different game than the Packers are used to this year. They won’t jump to a big lead this time. I think it will be a close game from start to finish. I think the defense will get pressure on Brady, but he’ll do enough to have the Bucs on top late. This time the Packers come from behind and an Aaron Rodgers touchdown run sends them to the Super Bowl 27-21.