The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off a 37-9 loss to the Houston Texans, an embarrassing defeat that leaves them with a 4-5 record. The Buccaneers are in Green Bay today to face the unbeaten (9-0) Packers.
How close the Bucs keep this game will greatly depend on whether or not last week’s strong showing by the Packers’ defense is a one-week wonder or a sign of things to come.
The Packers bring with them the number-one scoring offense (35.6 ppg) in the NFL and their passing offense ranks 3rd overall. Tampa Bay hasn’t been able to put pressure on the quarterback, which means it should be another big day for the Packers offense.
Defensively, the Packers are 28th overall, but rank 13th in scoring average (20.7). That’s a whopping 15 points less than what the Packers are scoring each game.
My Prediction
Green Bay Packers 34, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10
I’m not sure we’ll really know if the Packers defense is for real or not. The Bucs have dropped 3-straight games and they’ll struggle to make it 4. After today, Tampa Bay will be 4-6 and any thought of a post-season opportunity will be hanging by a thread.
The Packers meanwhile, will look forward to a Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field, trying to protect their perfect record.