Jameis Winston makes his return for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7) just in time for a trip to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers (5-6) Sunday.
The game will be blasted into your living quarters via the FOX television network and its local stations at 1 p.m. EST.
The Game: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers (-2.5)
O/U: 45.0
The History
The Packers and Buccaneers have faced off 54 times since 1977. Green Bay has a 32-21-1 advantage in the all time series.
They last played on December 21, 2014 with the Packers winning 20-3 at Raymond James Stadium. Aaron Rodgers was 31 of 40 for 318 yards and a touchdown. Eddie Lacy rushed 17 times for 99 yards and a score. Josh McCown started for Tampa Bay, completing 12 of 26 for 147 yards and a pick. Doug Martin carried the ball 10 times for 17 yards.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (4-7)
The Buccaneers got some good news this week with the return of quarterback Jameis Winston to the active roster. Winston had been dealing with a sore throwing shoulder and the team shut him down for three games. It wasn’t a disaster as back up Ryan Fitzpatrick went 2-1 in his stead.
Fitzpatrick was 27 of 44 last week for 283 yards in a 34-20 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. He was sacked once against a legitimate Falcons pass rush, so that will help keep Winston upright Sunday.
Doug Martin was effective before leaving the game with a concussion. He had seven carries for 33 yards. Jaquizz Rodgers had eight carries for 31 yards as his replacement and will get the start this week as Martin is still in the NFL’s concussion protocol.
Peyton Barber got the touchdowns, which I’m sure was worthless for everybody playing fantasy with five carries for seven yards and two scores. Defensively, the pass rush continues to be a problem for the Bucs. They never got a glove on Matt Ryan and managed just four stops in the backfield.
Tampa Bay will be without Robert Ayers this week. He’s still in the league’s concussion protocol. Vernon Hargreaves is out with a hamstring. Clinton McDonald and T.J. Ward will both sit as well.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (5-6)
The Packers finally lost running back Ty Montgomery for the season. He’ll finish up on injured reserve. Cornerback Kevin King is listed as out for this game with a shoulder injury. Ahmad Brooks, Kenny Clark, Aaron Jones, Clay Matthews and Lucas Patrick are all listed as questionable, but should play.
Green Bay has dropped five of its last six games, but there’s reason for hope after a strong showing against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. The Steelers still won the game, 31-28, but Brett Hundley had his best game of the season by far. He finished 17 of 26 for 245 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.
Jamaal Williams did some solid work running the ball against a stout run defense, carrying it 21 times for 66 yards and a score. Williams added four catches for 69 yards and another touchdown. DeVante Adams continues to show his value to the Packers, catching five passes for 82 yards and a touchdown. Randall Cobb had four catches for 58 yards and a TD.
Jordy Nelson, on the other hand, is consistently lost in the Aaron Rodgers-less offense. He had three catches for 11 yards.
Defensively, there wasn’t much to like for Green Bay last week. They sacked Ben Roethlisberger just once and got three stops in the backfield. They surrendered 169 yards and two touchdowns to Antonio Brown, but made up for it by letting Le’Veon Bell roll up 183 total yards.
The Pick
How much do the Packers want this? With Rodgers back on the practice field and in striking distance of a Wild Card spot, Green Bay can still screw up a lot of postseason plans for other teams. Hundley was terrific last week against a superior defense than he’ll face Sunday. Winston could be rusty and even if not, he’s not exactly careful with the ball. I don’t think GB is done just yet. Packers 24, Buccaneers 16
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 1-0
Last week
Straight up: 11-5
Against the spread: 10-6
Season
Straight up: 104-72
Against the spread: 91-85
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