picture obtained from Forbes Magazine
Remember how we put it on Green Bay at home in what seems like another season already? No real Pirate worth his salt has forgotten that beat down. The Packers were undefeated and taking names brother, and sisters for that matter. It started out like so many of our games did in the first half of the season. We were down quick, and early 10-0. It felt like an embarrassing loss at home was being brewed up in our own kitchen. I remember thinking, "uh oh, here we go"! You know the feeling. Being a Bucs fan, that feeling comes with your season tickets, and parking pass. It's part of the deal, the package if you will.
Then the most incredible thing happened. It, didn't happen at all. Matter of fact it was the opposite of that feeling. Our front seven started to get to Rodgers, to the tune of five sacks worth. Devin White, Lavonte David, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Ndamukong Suh, all made their way to Rodgers and introduced him to the turf. It just went downhill from there for Packers fans. The formula is the same for the NFC Championship game at Lambeau Field so many weeks later. The formula is the same one that we used in our third time's the charm game against our nasty division rivals The Saints.
Get to the quarterback, and when you don't sack him, you lay some leather on him and let him know you were there. Within the rules of course. Then you smack em with a strong play selection peppered with the run game. The evidence showed that Ronald Jones racked up 113 yards and scored two touchdowns. Brady's numbers were modest but effective going 17 of 27, 166 yards and two touchdowns, no interceptions. That formula is one that normally works against any team. It works especially well with a team that is lead by a legend at quarterback. It's the same formula that works against us in almost all cases. You rattle the legend, make him throw it sooner than he wants to, rush him, keep him on kitty cat toes.
Rodgers numbers that day? 16 of 35 for 160 yards and 2 interceptions, no touchdowns. Legends don't have that many games like that. It's why, well, they are legends. While legends are less likely to have bad days, they still have them. The Bucs have to make sure he has another one like that. They can't abandon the run. Jones and Fournette must remain go to guys until the last seconds tick off the clock and we are on our way home to a Super-Bowl date in February. One game away for a team that seldom ventures into these waters. Sunday they must play like they have been there on a regular basis. It won't be easy, it will be a taller order than beating the Saints was because of the huge homefield advantage of the frozen tundra that is Lambeau Field. 26 degrees is the forecast for game time. Below freezing is hard on a pirate don't you know. At least our team leader is no stranger to that type of thing. Here's hoping we can use the formula, and impose our will upon the Packers. They will be looking for some get back for their worst loss of the season. The Bucs will try to prove it was no fluke. Bring it on, Go Bucs!! my prediction 23-20 Bucs.
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