Packers vs. Buccaneers preview: Behind enemy lines with Bucs Wire
The last time either the Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost a football game was late November. The two red-hot teams will battle Sunday at Lambeau Field with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line
The Packers and Bucs faced off back in Week 6, ending in a 28-point Tampa Bay win. Before that showdown, we asked Luke Easterling of Bucs Wire to answer a few questions leading into the matchup.
Three months later, we’re doing it again.
Here’s our Q&A with Bucs Wire ahead of the NFC Championship Game:
Has anything changed with this Buccaneers team since the first meeting?
Bucs Wire: The offense has become more consistent, clearly operating with more chemistry than they did earlier in the year. The opposite has happened with the defense, though. They've had some impressive moments, but the lack of consistency has to be concerning. They were dominant in that first game against the Packers, and they'll need to play like that (and like they did against the Saints) again if they want to win this one.
When the Buccaneers offense has sputtered in 2020, what has been the leading causes?
Bucs Wire: Always, always consistent pressure on Tom Brady. He's not going to escape the pocket and make plays outside the structure, so if he's got consistent pressure in his face and he can't sit in the pocket and deliver the ball when and where he wants, the offense struggles mightily.
What are the keys for the Bucs to win at Lambeau Field?
Bucs Wire: Turnovers and penalties. The Bucs have made huge strides in both of these areas this season, and they continue to play a huge part in whether they win or lose. They won the turnover battle 4-0 against the Saints last week, and 2-0 against the Packers in Week 6. If the Bucs don't beat themselves, they've proven to be one of the NFL's most dangerous teams on the road this year.
Who is one X-factor for the Bucs on offense and defense?
Bucs Wire: On offense, it's going to be right guard Aaron Stinnie, who made his first NFL start last week in place of the injured Alex Cappa, and delivered a fantastic performance. He'll need to do it again if the Bucs want to be effective on offense, and he'll face a tough challenge against Green Bay's defensive front. On defense, it's Devin White. He took over the Saints game last week, against both the run and pass, and he's quickly become the vocal leader and heartbeat of the entire defense.
The Bucs lose if....?
Bucs Wire: The Bucs lose if they turn the ball over, and fail to make the necessary adjustments on defense to stay one step ahead of Aaron Rodgers, much like they did in Week 6. If they can keep Rodgers guessing with complex pre-snap/post-snap looks/changes and get pressure on him, as well as taking care of the football and sustaining long scoring drives, they can pull the upset.
Prediction time. Do the Bucs win the rematch and go to Super Bowl LV?
Bucs Wire: It's gonna sound like a homer pick, but I think the Bucs match up better with the Packers than they did the Saints. They've proven they can beat them once, and while it won't be in Tampa in October this time, the Bucs are playing their best football at the right time, and they've been one of the NFL's best road teams all year long. It'll be closer this time around, but I'm taking Tampa Bay.
