The Green Bay Packers are trying to lock up a playoff berth in Week 16, but must beat the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers in order to do so. Green Bay is 10-4 but coming off an upset loss to the Buffalo Bills, dropping into second place in the NFC North via tiebreaker. Still, the Packers will earn a bye week if they win out. Tampa Bay is 2-12 and currently picking first in the 2015 NFL Draft, a bright spot for a dismal year.
Packers vs. Buccaneers 2014 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
With a win, Green Bay remains in control of its own divisional destiny while Tampa Bay is lined up for the top pick of the 2015 draft.
The Packers are a more complete team this year, but they still revolve around the man under center. Aaron Rodgers has been phenomenal, even by his standards. Rodgers has thrown for 3,837 yards and 35 touchdowns against only five interceptions, using top targets Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson. However, Rodgers is coming off his worst performance of the year against a ferocious Bills' defense. Last week, Rodgers completed just 17-of-42 passes for 185 yards and two interceptions.
Tampa Bay has struggled mightily on both sides of the ball under first-year head coach Lovie Smith. The Buccaneers have lost four straight games and nine of their last 10, scoring more than 17 points only once. Last Sunday, Tampa Bay fell to the Derek Anderson-led Carolina Panthers, allowing 392 total yards. One positive was running back Doug Martin, who rushed for 96 yards on 14 carries. With Martin, Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans, the nucleus is there for an offensive revival once a quarterback shows up.
How to Watch
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay
When: 1 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Announcers: Chris Myers, Ronde Barber
Online streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile | NFL Sunday Ticket
Odds
Green Bay is favored by 11.5 points on the road against Tampa Bay, with an over/under of 48.5, per OddsShark.
Further Reading
For more on the Packers, check out ACME Packing Company.
To keep up with the Buccaneers, head over to Bucs Nation.
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