Green Bay Packers v. Bucs: Behind Enemy Lines – NFC Championship

We know Brady has plenty of experience in the cold, but do you see the below-freezing temps being a concern for this warm weather Bucs team?

Rob: While the Buccaneers do play half of their games in sunny Tampa Bay, most of the players already have experience playing in the cold before playing in Tampa. Other stars like Ndamukong Suh, Lavonte David, Ryan Jensen, and Antoine Winfield Jr. have plenty of experience playing in the cold, and they could lead the charge in this unique scenario.

Antonio Brown, Chris Godwin, and Rob Gronkowski have plenty of experience catching the ball in the cold, so they could emerge as Brady’s favorites on Sunday.

Takeaway: Every player handles the cold differently; there will be players from Tampa who are fine with it and others who might not be. But I still see the below-freezing temperatures being an advantage for Green Bay. These players live in it, they practice in it, and they play in it.

And it’s not only the temperature that will be a factor, but the player’s footing on the field can create its own challenges as well. The Tennessee game is a prime example of this. The Green Bay Packers just looked faster and more comfortable in the elements. We will see if that makes a difference or not this Sunday against the Bucs.

What are one or two keys to the game for the Bucs to win and advance to the Super Bowl?

Rob: If the Buccaneers want to win, they have to pass on first down and sit in press coverage on defense. Davante Adams is going to get his catches one way or another, but the Bucs have played their best defense in man rather than zone this season. While the big play is more of a threat, man coverage is the only way to slow down an MVP quarterback. Passing the ball so much in the cold may be counterintuitive; the offense has too many stars to run the ball against a stout Green Bay defense line.

Takeaway: Last week against New Orleans, this was a very run-heavy Bucs’ offense–especially on first downs. Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette combined for 30 carries and 125 yards–in a dome, by the way. The week before against Washington, Tampa ran the ball 26 times. In the cold, I expect a similar game plan with a heavy dose of Jones and Fournette, but we will see if Bruce Arians and Brady decide to change things up.

As far as my keys to the game for Green Bay, it goes back to what I said previously; keeping Rodgers clean and getting after Tom Brady.