Green Bay Packers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Keys to Victory
Dec 14, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) gestures during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Bills beat the Packers 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
The Green Bay Packers will travel to Raymond James Stadium to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16, looking to bounce back from a surprising loss to the Buffalo Bills this past Sunday. With just two games remaining on the schedule, a win in Tampa Bay is crucial to a Packers team that will welcome the Detroit Lions to Lambeau Field in the final week of the season.
At 2-12 in 2014, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are playing for pride and employment, which is more than enough motivation, let alone a shot at one of the top teams in the NFL. Their roster is more talented than their record suggests, but the franchise still seems two or three seasons from competitiveness as they rebuild. For the Bucs, the increased chances at a top pick that come with a loss to Green Bay may not be all bad.
The same is said every week, however: no game is to be taken lightly in the NFL. Green Bay was a clear favorite entering Buffalo last week, and didn’t look to be half the quality of the Bills come game time. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense will need to recapture their magic against a weakened Bucs defense, who is now without Gerald McCoy (knee) for the remainder of the season.
For the Green Bay Packers, this game should not be about simply finding their balance again, but about taking a step forward. In Week 16, there is no time to stand idle, and Packers’ fans should expect to see a rare effort from Green Bay: one of an angry and inspired team that is coming off a convincing defeat.