Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers: NFC Championship Betting Preview
The NFC has boiled down to just two teams as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5) and the Green Bay Packers (13-3) are set to do battle Sunday, with the winner earning a trip to the Super Bowl. Green Bay will host this one from Lambeau Field, with kickoff scheduled for 3:05 pm ET.
For Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they went from facing one future Hall-of-Fame quarterback last week in Drew Brees to facing another one this weekend in Aaron Rodgers. They will hope to have the same success after beating the Saints last week, 30-20. In the win, Tom Brady threw for 199 yards and two scores.
After getting a bye in the first round, the Packers were able to take down the Los Angeles Rams last week 32-18. Rodgers threw for 296 yards and two touchdowns while Aaron Jones rushed for 99 yards and a score.
The Packers will try to get some redemption after being blown out by the Buccaneers earlier in the season. In that matchup, Tampa Bay won 38-10. Their defense forced two interceptions from Rodgers and held him to just 160 yards and no touchdowns. Tampa Bay was also able to generate five sacks in that game while Brady went untouched.
The Packers are the favorites playing at home. They are -188 to win while the Buccaneers’ moneyline sits at +158. The spread features Tampa Bay +3.5 with the over/under for total points at 52.5.
By The Numbers
These are the two highest-scoring teams in the NFL this season. The Packers rank tops averaging 31.8 points per game. The Buccaneers come in second, averaging 30.7 points per game.
Defensively, it is Tampa Bay who holds a slight edge. They rank 8th in scoring defense, allowing 22.1 points per game, while the Packers rank 12th, allowing 22.8 per game.
Bucs Look To Continue Dominance
It was a bit of a shocker that Tampa Bay was able to dismantle the Packers earlier in the season, and while a blowout is likely not in the cards, they will hope to beat them again when it matters most.
To do so, they will look to 43-year-old Tom Brady to lead the way from under center. Despite his advanced age, he was remarkable this season, throwing for 4,633 yards, 40 touchdowns, and just 12 interceptions.
While this game will be held at chilly Lambeau Field, this should not affect Brady too much as he is used to playing in the elements from his time in New England.
Through the air, Brady has some dynamic weapons in Mike Evans (70 receptions, 1,006 yards, 13 touchdowns), Chris Godwin (65 receptions, 840 yards, seven touchdowns), and Rob Gronkowski (45 receptions, 623 yards, seven touchdowns).
The receiving core did take a bit of a hit this week, though, as Antonio Brown is out with a knee injury.
Packers Hope For Payback At Home
The Packers know they are a better team than what they showed against the Bucs earlier in the season, but they need to step up their game. Their defense will need to get some more pressure on Brady, while their o-line will need to protect Rodgers for them to have success.
Speaking of Rodgers, he has played at an MVP level this season. On the year, he has thrown for 4,299 yards, 48 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. He also rushed 38 times for 149 yards and another three scores.
Rodgers has one of the best wide receivers in the league to throw to in Davante Adams. This season, Adams had 115 receptions for 1,374 yards and 18 touchdowns. He makes for a nightmare matchup for any opposing defense.
On the ground, the team is led by Aaron Jones. He rushed 201 times for 1,104 yards and nine touchdowns this season. He is also an asset in the passing game as he had 47 receptions for 355 yards and another two scores.
Taking Green Bay To Win And Cover
At this point, you can throw out the previous game between these two, as this could be an instant classic of Hall-of-Fame caliber quarterbacks.
While the Packers have been stellar all year long, they are downright dominant at home. This season, including the playoffs, they are 8-1 when playing at Lambeau Field, and the expectation of snow and chilly weather Sunday is right up Green Bay’s alley.
While the Bucs will undoubtedly make this a game, I like Green Bay to show their dominance and pull this one out. For my money, I like Green Bay not only to win this game but to cover the 3.5 point spread as well.
