Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Time: 3:00pm EST/2:00pm CST
Network: Fox
Tom Brady is back in a place that he is familiar with after experiencing an early playoff exit with the New England Patriots last season. Brady is now the man under center for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will be going on the road to face the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game. Tomorrow’s contest will be Brady’s 14th conference championship game appearance. On the other side, you have Aaron Rodgers, a quarterback that has had his share of appearing in conference championship games as well.
The former first-round pick out of California will be playing in his fifth conference championship game. In 2019, Rodgers and the Packers were taken to the woodshed twice by the San Francisco 49ers. Their second meeting in the NFC Championship Game was just as bad as the Niners defeated them soundly by a score of 37-20. That’s why tomorrow’s game with Tampa Bay is critical for Green Bay to come out on top. It also a legacy-defining game for future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers.
The Breakdown
In the first matchup between the Green Bay Packers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the home team dominated Green Bay by a 38-10. It was almost like Rodgers, and the Packers had given up mentally after committing two costly turnovers. Rodgers had one of his worst season games after completing only 16 of 35 passing attempts for only 160 yards and two interceptions.
At the time, the Packers were not in sync as a team and were still figuring things out as the season progressed. However, they cannot have a performance similar to what we witnessed in Week 6 if they want to be successful tomorrow.
Rodgers must get the ball in the hands of his go-to guy Davante Adams early and often throughout this matchup. Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis Jr. is a good defender, but he is nowhere near the level of an elite corner. His performance against Michael Thomas last week and the first game of the season was exceptional. However, it can also be labeled as an outlier because Davis has been taken advantage of soundly against elite wide receivers.
The Packers’ offensive line also needs to protect Rodgers at all costs in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game. The Buccaneers possess a defense that is fast and can cost turnovers when the opportunity presents itself. That’s why Rodgers must be comfortable playing in the pocket at all times.
What Does Tampa Bay Need to Do to Be Successful Against Green Bay?
Bucs Head Coach Bruce Arians love to throw the football deep. However, for this contest, a balanced must be utilized to be successful. Green Bay’s defense is susceptible to allowing the big plays against an opposing running game. Arians have two running backs that can get the job done in Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones. The Buccaneers’ goal should be to keep Rodgers and the Packers off to the sidelines as much as possible. Multiple three and outs due to deep throws down the field will not cut it against a red-hot Packers offense.
Final Prediction
When it’s all said and done tomorrow, Sports Talk 365 predicts that the Green Bay Packers will advance to the Super Bowl LV down in Tampa, Florida. By far, they are the most complete team remaining in the National Football League right now. Bruce Arians does not have the discipline to make sound decisions when facing the hottest quarterback in the league right now in Aaron Rodgers.
Final Score: Buccaneers 27-Packers 38
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports.
