Green Bay Packers at Buccaneers: Week 6 Predictions

Before the Green Bay Packers take the field in Tampa Bay, we have our predictions for Sunday’s matchup.

Coming off their bye week, the undefeated Green Bay Packers have what will be their toughest test of the season up to this point. Although Tampa Bay’s 3-2 record is nothing to write home about, this is a very talented football team on both sides of the ball.

So just as we’ve done every week, Brian Sampson, Kenny Jilek, and myself will give our gameday predictions for this heavyweight matchup. Here is how we see things playing out.

Kenny Jilek (3-1)

Alright, I’m done underestimating this Green Bay Packers offense. In the last two weeks, I’ve had them scoring in the twenties because I was uncertain of how much they could do without Davante Adams and then without him and Allen Lazard. Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur have proven that they can take a patchwork group of weapons and still put up big numbers, so I have no reason to doubt them going forward. This week, they get Adams back, and they’ll continue to light up the scoreboard after LaFleur got a whole extra week to prepare and scheme for this game.

Defensively, the Packers have struggled, and the Buccaneers will come to town with both top receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, ready to go along with Ronald Jones and possibly Leonard Fournette, who is listed as questionable after having limited practice this week. Tom Brady may be past his prime, but with those kinds of weapons, he doesn’t have to be at the top of his game to deliver them the ball and let them work. The Packers will do enough to win, but don’t expect this to be an easy game.

Prediction: Packers 34 – Buccaneers 27

Brian Sampson (3-1)

The Packers are not only back in action this week, but they take on one of the premier teams in the NFC in the Buccaneers. I’m old enough to remember the rivalry days of the NFC Central when the Packers were tasked with stopping Warrick Dunn, Mike Alstott, Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, and John Lynch. Now, these two teams hardly play each other.

The Packers will be getting Davante Adams and Kenny Clark back, two huge additions for their respective units. That should be enough to give them an extra edge on the road over a tough Bucs team.

Prediction: Packers 31 – Buccaneers 24

Paul Bretl (4-0)

As I mentioned in the intro, this will be a Green Bay’s toughest test yet. This is a Buccaneers team that has statistically the best run defense in the NFL, a very good pass rush, and a young secondary that knows how to force turnovers. On offense, behind a stout offensive line, Brady will have both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin available, along with the reliable Scotty Miller. Not to mention that Green Bay may be without their second-best cornerback as Kevin King is a game-time decision.

However, with all that said, I’m picking the Packers to win. Led by Aaron Rodgers playing at an elite level and Matt LaFleur’s masterful playcalling, this has been the best offense in the NFL. And until I see otherwise, I expect them to continue rolling, especially off a bye week. Defensively, the Packers are going to take their lumps, but as they often do, they’ll come away with a big turnover or a stop.

Prediction: Packers 31 – Buccaneers 27