The NFC Championship Preview Buccaneers vs Packers

 


The NFC Championship Preview Buccaneers vs Packers 


    Then their was four but in the NFC their is only two. The two that many probably hoped for, its Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers has he takes them Florida boys up to the Frozen Tundra in Green Bay, Wisconsin Lambeau Field to battle Aaron Rodgers, and the number one seeded Green Bay Packers. Yes their is many other star players on each team besides Brady and Rodgers. The Buccaneers have outstanding weapons with Mike Evans, Chris Goodwin, Antonio Brown, Rob Gronkowski, Ronald Jones II, and Leonard Fournette. That’s just on offense the Buccaneers defense is no joke as well who includes linebackers Devin White and Lavonte David, also edge rusher Jason Pierre-Paul who had a Pro Bowl season in 2020. Then finally Aaron Rodgers longtime rival Ndamukong Suh up front. The Packers will not be without their own stars on offense as well. As that oline is a weapon in itself including Davante Adams, Aaron Jones, Jamal Williams, Allen Lazard, and Robert Tonyan. Lazard didn’t play last contest between the two. The offense doesn’t have as many weapons as the Bucs but Packers head coach Matt LaFluer really gets them boys moving with Rodgers. Even with All Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari out. That offensive line for the Packers held up well against the Rams top rush. Then on defense they have Kenny Clark, Za'Darius Smith, Jaire Alexander, Adrain Amos, Darnell Savage, and others. The defense was the biggest question mark for the Packers upcoming 2020 season. They did in the first half of the season well look very shaky again. Most Packers fans were like “Here we go again amazing offense but can’t stop anyone.” Seems to be the typical story of the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers. However the defense turned it around honestly after the Buccaneers beat the Packers week 6 38-10. That’s when we really started seeing the change. The Buccaneers do have to worry about the defense this time around. The Packers defense 5 out of the last 6 games they held teams under 20 points. Not saying they can throw something at Brady that he’s never seen. The defense really has to make Brady feel them. Packers rushers Za'Darius Smith, Preston Smith, Rashan Gary, and Kenny Clark will have to make it hard to move for Brady. As the Saints even showed if you can get Brady out of his spot at 43 he’s not as good as he used to be. The problem is the Buccaneers are very good at blocking being ranked the 7th best offensive line. They need to also get pressure because Brady has way to many weapons. If they can’t get to him for sure one of those weapons will get opened. That was a problem actually for Brady in the Saints playoff game. Evans, Goodwin, Brown, and Gronk all combined for less than 60 yards in receiving. Brady found options else where like he’s been known to do his whole career. You know that’s why he has 6 Super Bowls. The Packers defense does have its hands full. Nonetheless that doesn’t change the fact that the Buccaneers really have their hands full. Have you seen how Aaron Rodgers and that offense has been playing this season? They are the fifth ranked offense in total yards per game and the number one offense in points per game. The Buccaneers shut the Packers down in week 6 holding them to ten points. Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles brought a lot of blitzes on Rodgers the whole night. Causing him to throw two picks, Rodgers would only throw three more the rest of the season. Rodgers against the Bucs had a below 40 QB rating. Don’t expect that to happen again especially the same blitz packages working. Rodgers has thrown for 48 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in a MVP season. The Packers don’t turnover the ball and neither do the Bucs. If either one can cause a turnover it’ll be huge. Rodgers is also not the only elite weapon on the the offense anymore. Don’t forget to mention his favorite weapon Davante Adams. Adams has more touchdowns than 5-6 NFL teams. Then Rodgers has found a real connection with tight end Rob Tonyan who had 11 touchdowns catches on the season. Look for Rodgers to go to Tonyan near the red zone. Then one of his best weapons his running game specifically Aaron Jones. He ran for 99 yards on 14 carries last week against the number 1 defense LA Rams. Even with Donald up front the Packers offense was all over the Rams defense. If Donald was anything near 80-100% than what the Packers did against the defense was amazing. The first team to ever get 400 more yards on the number 1 defense in the league ever. This matchup of teams are very similar but the question is we know Rodgers and Brady will show up but who else will? Especially since the Buccaneers have to travel to Green Bay. It’ll be real cold compared to week’s 6 game in Tampa. Something that the Buccaneers may not be used too. For me the Buccaneers will need to get their running game going with Ronald Jones II and Leonard Fournette. They ran for a combined 105 yards last week against the Saints. If they can do that again that’ll give Brady a big advantage off play action. If the defense knows you have to pass it’s a problem especially with immobile quarterback like Brady. The Packers other running backs Jamal Williams and AJ Dillion will also have to step up. The running game will be crucial for both teams to take the pressure of their quarterbacks. The Bucs are the best at defending the run. You’ll probably see a lot motion plays from Green Bay over this. About 70% of the plays LaFleur called in the Rams game involved motion. The Bucs defense has the advantage talent wise but how the Packers defense has been playing they can’t be slept on. After watching them hold off Derrick Henry for only 70 yards ever since then they’ve been playing at an ultra high level. It’ll be tough for both offenses to get going. Nonetheless there has to be a winner in the battle of the goats. My prediction is Packers win 31-17. Yes Green Bay rolls they will remember week 6 and what Devin White had to say. They continue to be the hottest team going into the Super Bowl behind MVP Aaron Rodgers. 



By Matthew Doherty

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