Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Underdog status doesn’t take away pressure

Despite being an underdog to Green Bay, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are under pressure immense ahead of the NFC Championship game. 

It almost seems unbelievable but it’s a reality that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are just one game away from reaching the Super Bowl. Not only that, they would be the first team to host and play in the big game. It’s all fun from the outside looking in — but the pressure in the building is real.

Outside of Bucs fans, many fans around the league don’t want the Bucs in the Big Game, mostly because of the quarterback Tom Brady, who has six rings. In contrast, many would rather prefer Aaron Rodgers, who Tampa Bay is about to face in the NFC Championship Game, going to the Super Bowl.

In fact, heading into their battle with Green Bay, the Buccaneers are not the favorite in the game. Why? The Packers have been the better team consistently over the last couple of months and will be hosting the conference championship tilt.

So what’s all the pressure for? Take a good look at the team and the personnel, along with the expectations at the start of the season, and you’ll find the answer.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are facing more than just the Packers in the NFC Championship Game.

There’s a heavy burden of expectations that the Buccaneers will be enduring. Nothing can compare to the arsenal that Brady has at his disposal on offense outside of Kansas City’s crew.

Several pass-catchers, such as Mike Evans and Chris Godwin or even Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Brown, litter the roster around an all-time great quarterback. Also, the Tampa Bay defense that is underrated yet imposing. So Tampa Bay should have been a favorite, correct?

Yes and no. Yes for the fact that, on paper, they truly are amazing and they also beat Green Bay in the regular season handily, 38-10. But on the flip side, they have players who have taken a step back since then. Plus, how can the losses this season in primetime situations be ignored?

Green Bay is favored for a reason beyond the Lambeau elements. They have hit their stride at the right time. The Packers are also hungry to get revenge for that regular-season loss.

Unfortunately for Tampa, they may be an underdog but there is still immense pressure. To many, nothing would be greater than to see Brady and company fall to Rodgers. If the opposite were to occur, it would be great for the Bucs and not everyone else.