Watch Out Now: Week 6 Bold PredIctions
Bold Predictions for the Bucs against the Packers
The biggest game of the season(so far )has arrived.
On Sunday, the Bucs will take the field against the undefeated Green Bay Packers. The Packers look particularly strong this year and could be getting pro bowler Davante Adams back on the field. With the Bucs coming off a loss, this would be a great chance to rebound and improve to 4-2 on the year, but the Packers won't be an easy task.
Aaron Rodgers throws his first interception of the season
If Russell Wilson wasn't on the blistering pace he's on, Rodgers would be a strong MVP candidate. Rodgers has thrown for over 1,200 yards 13 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Keep in mind, Davante Adams has only played 108 snaps for the Packers this season.
What Rodgers has done so far has been impressive.
The Bucs defense has definitely been the strongest unit for the Bucs this season. That being said, they have yet to face a quarterback of Rodgers caliber. The arm strength of a young Justin Herbert and the experience/craftiness of Drew Brees.
With all that in mind, the Bucs defense has only gotten better at forcing turnovers since last season. The Bucs defense has 17 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 5 interceptions on the year so far.
Don't get me wrong, I don't expect the Bucs defense to put the Packers offense on lock. The Packers will score points, especially because of the level that Rodgers is playing at. But I think this Bucs defense finds a way to pick Rodgers off on Sunday.
This will be the first game the Rodgers and the Packers play against an, at least, average defense.
Ronald Jones eclipses the century mark for the third game in a row
Rojo has been on a tear lately. But the Packers haven't allowed a single one hundred yard rusher this season.
So why does that change on Sunday?
The game script for the the opponents of the Packers has dictated they start throwing early and often. The Packers last opponent, the Falcons, were down 20-3 by halftime. I think the Bucs will try their best to take the ball out of the hands of Aaron Rodgers and control the time of possession. This could lead to quite a few carries for Ronald Jones. He'll put those to good use and cross the 100 yard mark for the third time this season.
Packers previous opponents:
Dalvin Cook: 12 Carries/50 yards
Kerryon Johnson: 8 Carries/38 yards
Latavius Murrary: 12 Carries/58 yards
Todd Gurley: 16 Carries/57 yards
*After 5 games, Jones is averaging 15 carries a game and 4.9 yards per carry.
So... Who wins?
I honestly don't feel good about this game for the Bucs.
Maybe that's just the residual scarring of being a fan of a bad teams for years. I know better than to get my hopes up, right?
The Packers are playing at an extremely high level and even if the Bucs pick Rodgers off and control the time of possession, it still may not be enough. The Packers are averaging 38 points per game. As good as the Bucs defense is, I don't know that they're ready for this Packers offense, especially with the loss of Vita Vea.
As for the Bucs offense, we still haven't seen them play to their full potential. I think that will still take some more time. I don't think the Bucs get blown out, but I do think the Packers win a close game
Final Score Prediction : Bucs 27 Packers 34
Spread: Packers -1.5 (-121), Buccaneers +1.5 (+100)
Moneyline: Packers -131, Buccaneers +110
Total: Over 54 points (-115), Under 54 points (-105)