The Green Bay Packers will host the Tampa Bay Rays this Sunday from Lambeau Field on FOX. Green Bay enters as 3.5-point favorites, with the total currently hovering 42.5. Stay tuned for our Buccaneers vs Packers prediction.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preview
Tampa Bay moved to 6-7 after Atlanta at home, 29-25. The Buccaneers used a last minute touchdown to keep pace with the division lead, and they’ll attempt to get to .500 this Sunday. The TB offense is scoring 20.2 ppg, while passing for 225.7ypg, rushing for 90.0 ypg, and converting 40.1% of their third downs.
Buccaneers Player Props
- Baker Mayfield came through with a game-winning drive last week in Atlanta, and he’s now thrown for 2,934 yards, with 20 touchdowns to eight interceptions thru 13 starts.
- Rachaad White totaled 100 yards or more for the third game in a row versus the Falcons, and he leads the Buccaneers with 745 rushing yards on 201 carries.
- Mike Evans was neutralized by the ATL secondary, but he’s posted his tenth straight 1,000-yard season, and he leads Tampa in catches with 62.
- Chris Godwin (58/659/1) received an uptick in targets last week, but he's questionable for this contest with an ailing knee injury.
- The TB defense is allowing 20.8 points per game.
Green Bay Packers Preview
Green Bay fell to 6-7 after losing to New York at MetLife, 24-22. The Packers let the scrappy Giants stick around too long, and they’ll also be looking to climb back to .500. The GB offense is scoring 17.7 ppg, while passing for 238.3 ypg, rushing for 106.3 ypg, and converting 43.4% of their third downs.
Packers Player Props
- Jordan Love cooled off after a four-game stretch with multiple touchdown tosses, and he’s now up to 3,084 yards, with 23 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. L
- AJ Dillon gained 53 yards in the MNF loss to NYG, but his status remains in doubt for this contest. The former TCU back leads GB with 574 yards on 164 carries.
- Aaron Jones’ status also remains in question, and his absence has really hindered a limited group of weapons for Jordan Love.
- Jayden Reed caught a career-high eight passes versus the Giants, and he now leads the Packers in receptions (48) and receiving yards (540).
- The GB defense is allowing 20.5 points per game.
Tampa Bay vs Green Bay Trends
- TB is 8-5 against the spread, with a 5-8 O/U record.
- GB is 7-6 ATS, with a 7-6 over/under record.
Tampa Bay vs Green Bay Prediction
When I see this battle of Bays I think of the classic Warren Sapp and Brett Favre matchups, and how meaningful those contests were. The recent Brady/Rodgers playoff duel comes to mind as well, and it’s simply tough to see a rivalry go through a down period. Both teams need wins to stay alive in the jam-packed NFC Wild Card picture, and with this contest taking place at sub-45 degree Lambeau Field, it may just be a spot to lean on the hosts. We’ve see it in recent weeks with Miami and Jacksonville, but good things don’t often happen when Florida teams head north, and that could smell trouble for Tampa. The Packers suffered a sloppy loss in primetime last week, and with them still clinging onto the final playoff spot, you can bet they come out a bit more focused here at home. Let’s trust a strong bounce back effort from Green Bay this Sunday.
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
