Predictions Summary Projections by Position Projection Team Boxes

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Prediction: GB 27, TB 17 (Line: GB by 10.5)

The 10-4 Packers are only 3-4 on the road but travel to meet the 2-12 Buccaneers who are 0-6 at home. While HC Lovie Smith may know these Packers, he lacks the arsenal to compete and just two more losses and Marcus Mariota gets to trade the cool rainy climes of Oregon for the sticky sweat of Florida.

Losing to the Bill was never in the plans but in fairness the Bills defense came to play and the Packers had no answer. Now that they are tied with the Lions, they need to win this game and then again in the season finale at home versus those Lions. It hurt to lose so badly but the Packers are still very much in contention and in control of their own fate.

QUARTERBACK : Throw away last week. Aaron Rodgers has been a lock for multiple scores and high yardage every week and that won’t change in Tampa Bay. He’s already thrown 35 touchdowns and topped 300 yards seven times.

RUNNING BACK : The reports were that Eddie Lacy would timeshare with James Starks last week because of his hip injury but it never happened. Lacy still ran 15 times for 97 yards and one score. He’s a lock for 100 total yards or a score and usually a both.

WIDE RECEIVER : Jordy Nelson dropped a 94-yard touchdown last week that could have changed the entire game – and the passing stats as well. But Nelson has been the preferred target for Rodgers this year and already scored 12 times with six games over 100 yards. Randall Cobb still ended with 96 yards on seven catches last week and he’s consistent with yardage but stopped scoring. After scoring ten times by week ten, Cobb has not been in the end zone since. Davante Adams runs as the #3 receiver but rarely ends up with meaningful yardage or scores.

TIGHT END : They are far too unproductive to consider for a fantasy start but Andrew Quarless and Richard Rogers combine for six touchdowns on the season and two in the last month.

MATCH TO THE DEFENSE: The Buccaneers will play better defense at home though it largely depends on the quality of the opponent and how motivated they are. The Packers will want to win this one after last week and be focused but if the lead becomes comfortable there is no need to press with the Lions coming up next week. Fortunately the Bucs are weak against both running backs and wideouts. Approach this like normal – Rodgers, Lacy, Cobb and Nelson are the starts.

Another bad season draws to a close and Lovie Smith first season cannot be considered a success. But as always, the Buccaneers are rebuilding and retooling and may actually have the bones of a good team if they can fill in most of the holes next year. Some progress has been made in the passing game though the speculation will be that the Bucs want to grab a top quarterback in the draft. They should also spend almost every other pick on the offensive line. Playing two playoff contenders to finish the year will have predictable results.

QUARTERBACK : Josh McCown starts to throttle down on his final games as the starter in Tampa Bay but at least he’s thrown a score in most games and even managed three high yardage efforts along the way. He stands at ten touchdowns on the year against 12 interceptions.

RUNNING BACK : Bobby Rainey is no longer active on game days and the rushing attack is split between Doug Martin and Charles Sims. Martin comes off a 96 yard effort in Carolina but had not topped 60 yards in any other game and scored just twice this year. Sims has yet to score and has become the third down back with a few catches. This is the least productive rushing unit in the NFL and has to be a priority next year if only to get better blocking.

WIDE RECEIVER : Louis Murphy just landed on injured reserve because of his ankle. But this offense has always been a two-man show with Vincent Jackson turning in the yards and rookie Mike Evans scoring the touchdowns. Jackson topped 100 yards three times and is 56 yards short of his sixth 1000 yard season. Evans has 948 yards himself and 11 touchdowns. Teams have really slowed down the yardage for Evans in the last month but he continues to score in nearly every game.

TIGHT END : Austin Seferian-Jenkins was placed on injured reserve with a back injury and thus ends his meager rookie season. This position has not held fantasy value this year and totaled only two scores on the year. Seferian-Jenkins has a chance for a break out second year as most tight ends have.

MATCH TO THE DEFENSE: The rushing effort will be weak as always but the Packers should give up at least one passing score if not two if only later in the game when the Packers relax. No different this week – Jackson and Evans are the only starters from this team.

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