Packers, Bucs can't afford slipup in playoff chase

 

[December 14, 2023]  The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will aim for their third victory in a row when they travel north to face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon.

Tampa Bay (6-7) is coming off wins over the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons. The Buccaneers have moved into a three-way tie for first place with Atlanta and the New Orleans Saints in the AFC South with four games to go.

Optimism is peaking along with recent play, and the Buccaneers believe they can still turn a bumpy season into a postseason appearance if they string together a few more wins.

"There's certainly some of that feeling around here," Tampa Bay linebacker Lavonte David said. "Everybody understands if we just stay focused, there's still time on the clock in this season."

Green Bay (6-7) feels the same way entering a game that could have wild-card tiebreaker implications. The Packers won three games in a row before losing 24-22 to Tommy DeVito and the New York Giants on Monday night.

Despite the defeat, quarterback Jordan Love said he and his teammates remain confident.

"I think we've got a great team," Love said. "Obviously, we're a team that has been in this situation. (We've) lost some tough games and been able to bounce back."

Love, 25, has been a big reason for the Packers' recent optimism. In the past four games, he has passed for 1,075 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception while posting an impressive 106.2 passer rating.

Love's top targets include Romeo Doubs, who leads the team with seven touchdowns, and Jayden Reed, who has 48 catches for 540 yards and five touchdowns in his rookie season. Christian Watson also has five touchdown catches on the year.

The Packers' running game has been diminished by injuries. Running back Aaron Jones was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday because of a knee injury, and running back AJ Dillon was listed as a non-participant because of a thumb injury.

Tampa Bay will look to post another win with quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has passed for 2,934 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 13 starts this season. Mayfield is closing in on the fifth 3,000-yard season of his career.

Mike Evans provides a tough challenge to the Packers' secondary. Evans leads the Buccaneers with 62 catches for 1,020 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Chris Godwin ranks second on the team with 58 catches for 659 yards and a score, but he was listed as a non-participant in practice on Wednesday because of a knee injury. He was the only offensive player for Tampa Bay on the injury report, which included cornerback Carlton Davis (groin), defensive end William Gholston (knee/ankle) and nose tackle Vita Vea (toe).

Rachaad White is the Buccaneers' top rusher. He has racked up 745 yards and five touchdowns this season as the team's primary running back.

Green Bay has won four of its past five games against Tampa Bay and leads the all-time series 33-22-1. The Packers held on for a 14-12 road win against the Buccaneers in the teams' most recent matchup on Sept. 25, 2022.

--Field Level Media

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