At Least One Guy Believes
January 24th, 2021
Prediction.
Many of the national guys and girls, and two locals, are of the mind the fairy tale of the Bucs 2020 season turns into a pumpkin in the harsh cold of a late afternoon in Wisconsin today.
But not everyone.
Enter Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com. He sees the Bucs riding the back of park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting, handshake-stiffing, jet-ski-losing, biscuit-baking Bucs quarterback Tom Brady to the Super Bowl.
I expect both quarterbacks to ball out Sunday because they will be well protected. In a league where pass rushers had supposedly gained the upper hand, the Packers and Bucs’ offensive lines should win up front. Perhaps second-year pass rusher Rashan Gary’s emergence outside will allow Za’Darius Smith to get pressure up the middle against backup Bucs guard Aaron Stinnie. Perhaps Shaquil Barrett can turn the clock back to 2019 for a week against backup Packers tackle Rick Wagner. It’s more likely that the quarterbacks will control the pass rush and get rid of the ball like they have all season.
One exception for Rodgers was the 38-10 loss at Tampa in Week 6, when Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles dictated effective blitzes. That strategy is unlikely to work as well again, and the boom-or-bust approach could give Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard chances for big plays, while Davante Adams is presumably double-teamed by Carlton Davis and a safety. I’m not worried about the Packers offense putting up points, but I am worried about Mike Pettine’s defense being the worst unit in this game.
Both of these quarterbacks are incredible at adjusting. Brady should be able to diagnose the Packers’ plan, which can only cover up Green Bay’s shortcomings at linebacker and in the secondary so much. For all the attention paid to the Packers’ front office not drafting a wide receiver last April, what this team really needs is another cornerback or two. (Yes, Green Bay has spent a lot of draft capital there recently. No, it hasn’t bore enough fruit.) A linebacker like Devin White or Lavonte David wouldn’t hurt, either. The Bucs are deep at the skill positions, and their running game, led by Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette, is peaking at the right time. In a game that I believe will be decided by which team has the ball.
Rosenthal believes the Bucs will win by a whisker from Bucco Bruce Arians’ bad Santa Claus beard.
Man, Joe cannot tell you how much he hopes Rosenthal is right.
Get those Big Storm beers iced up!
January 24th, 2021 at 12:39 pm
40+ points from Brady and the O…no turnovers and that should be enough to beat GB at Lambeau!! Bring a home SB game to us Bucs!!!
January 24th, 2021 at 12:58 pm
Hey Joe here is a tid bit that hasn’t been discussed yet on your blog. Coaches talk back and forth all the time. Who besides Roger’s to protect his so called legacy is more motivated to not see Brady in the SB? I could see daily zoom meetings with Bill Belichick and his puppet Josh McDaniels and GB coaching staff revealing all Intel on Brady right down to what hand he trims his toe nails with.
January 24th, 2021 at 1:01 pm
Too many people over-thinking it. Bucs are the better TEAM. We got this.
January 24th, 2021 at 1:04 pm
Belichick’s long time girlfriend was on Twitter dissing Brady all week, where do you think that is coming from?
January 24th, 2021 at 1:05 pm
Defense Rules, I gotta agree…slight margin, but I definitely see our O outperforming GB and our D makes just enough plays to stop drives and limit TDs for Rodgers.
In about 5 hours we’ll be celebrating a trip to SB LV in our own backyard!!!!
It sure as hell feels a lot like 2002 to me!!!
January 24th, 2021 at 1:06 pm
Why am I more relaxed for this game than I was the Saint’s game?……I guess it’s because we made it to the Championship & the Saints have had our number……Green Bay has to prove they can beat us.
January 24th, 2021 at 1:09 pm
Busc are more balanced and therefore Defense Rules and Rosenthal are right. I do not believe weather will be enough to upset the Bucs will.
January 24th, 2021 at 1:10 pm
This is Arians’ time!
LaFleur will have many more opportunities
January 24th, 2021 at 1:12 pm
Test the packers dline run run run
January 24th, 2021 at 1:14 pm
I don’t see how the Packers can win.
Bucs have too many ways they can win a game. Barring a terrible injury to Brady or a 2002 Bucs defense style showing from the Packers, there just isn’t a way for the Packers to have more points at the end of the game.
January 24th, 2021 at 1:32 pm
Brady has extra motivation, too. Lambeau Field is a stadium he hasn’t won in. UNTIL TODAY!!!! Another pelt on the wall for the G.O.A.T, TB 12.
January 24th, 2021 at 1:42 pm
Pretty much 9 out of 10 people are picking the Packers.
“Rodgers is playing on just too high a level for the Bucs’ young secondary.” seems to be the consensus.
January 24th, 2021 at 1:58 pm
BOTH Mike Florio and Chris Simms have picked us! In fact, the great Mike Florio picked us to go to the Super Bowl, before the season started!
Now you know why he is the GREAT Mike Florio!
January 24th, 2021 at 1:58 pm
Devin White is playing at too high a level for mentally weak Aaron Rodgers.
January 24th, 2021 at 2:01 pm
I’m glad most are NOT picking the Bucs…more Cannon fodder motivation for our youngry team!!!
Go prove em wrong AGAIN Bucs!!!!
January 24th, 2021 at 2:01 pm
Can’t wait to see Suh get a free path to Rodgers, and hopefully put him on his ass and get in his head. Suh is a beast and hope he is all
Over Rodgers today. Same for JPP, Shaq and D White. Let’s go Bucs! Would love to see Gholston get in on the action too.
Also looking forward to our OLine dictating where we want to do today. Pound the rock.
January 24th, 2021 at 2:08 pm
As a perspective 18+ year old Buc fans have never felt the anticipation of the feeling coming on the other side of a WIN
in just a few hours!!!
I am feeling wonderfully confident that the stars are aligned !
January 24th, 2021 at 2:27 pm
Its ok.
I remember everyone picking the Eagles, at the vet, to beat the Bucs.
Bucs went on to win the SuperBowl. Eagles were playing golf
Everyone is underestimating how badly Brady wants to distance himself from Belicheat.
Brady wants the world to know who made who.
Sucks we dont have zbrown and Winfield.
But I predict we still win
And then cheer for the Bills
January 24th, 2021 at 2:32 pm
Hopefully that discount double cu(k upgraded to the premium health insurance! His a$$ is about to get SUH-plexed all damn day!!
January 24th, 2021 at 2:32 pm
Man…not many are giving us a chance to win this game.
January 24th, 2021 at 2:34 pm
I’m skeered.
January 24th, 2021 at 2:35 pm
I’m not…but I’m not boasting until the job is done.
January 24th, 2021 at 2:35 pm
GO BUCS!! Bring home another W!!!!! This Tampa team gets very little respect from the national media!! TODAY IS THE DAY THEY SHOW EVERYONE WHO THEY ARE!!!!
January 24th, 2021 at 2:40 pm
Im a believer in body language before competition. Im liking what i see from brady compared to rogers
January 24th, 2021 at 2:41 pm
If Devin White can play as great as he did last weekend Im not sure the Packers stand much of a chance.
Of course thats assuming our offense plays at a Championship level which is the expectation!!
God Darn its exciting to be this close!!!
GO BUCS BABY, SIEGE THE DAY, FIRE THE CANNONS, BUCS WIN BUCS WIN, LETS EFFING GO!!!!!!!!!!
January 24th, 2021 at 2:42 pm
If we win today we will win the super bowl..
January 24th, 2021 at 2:44 pm
Sorry. Didnt mean to say a cuss word. Just too excited and couldnt contain myself.
January 24th, 2021 at 2:59 pm
How much Vea plays, will be critical.
He will really help shut down the run.
Rodgers has lost 4 NFC championship games in abrow. He is under immense pressure. Pressure will cause him to try too hard.
January 24th, 2021 at 6:14 pm
SB Bound BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!