Packers Look to Shake Off Loss against Competitive Buccaneers
The Green Bay Packers (2-1 SU, 2-1 ATS, 2-1 O/U), are coming off their first loss of the season after falling to the Dallas Cowboys 27-16 on Sunday and boy was it revealing BetUS Sportsbook NFL bettors.
Even Packers head coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged his team has plenty of work to do heading into their Week 4 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1 SU, 2-1 ATS, 2-1 O/U).
“It was a big game, it was a great measuring stick for our football team,” McCarthy said. “And I’ll tell you exactly what I told them, the Dallas Cowboys are farther ahead than we are right now, and that’s the facts, and it’s Week 3. How much farther ahead, we’ll answer that question. We have work to do.”
While first-year Packers starter Aaron Rodgers didn’t look bad in completing 22 of 39 passes for 290 yards, the Cowboys exposed the rest of the Packers’ weakness, particularly along the offensive line, sacking Rodgers five times and generally pressuring him all game.
“It’s disappointing,” Rodgers said. “You’d like to win them all, obviously, but Dallas is a very good football team and we unfortunately didn’t play our best. We’re going to have to watch some film, be very critical of ourselves and get better.”
The Packers are averaging 366.0 yards per game, eighth overall, while putting up a stellar 29.3 points per game, good for fifth in the league.
Green Bay has failed to deliver on defense this season, allowing 373.0 total yards, (27th) and rank in the bottom third in every other meaningful defensive statistical category including passing, (22nd), rushing, (26th) and points allowed, (23rd).
The Packers allowed Cowboys running back Marion Barber to rush for 142 yards on 28 carries for one touchdown.
Green Bay will take on a Buccaneers team that is coming off a thrilling 27-24 overtime win over the Chicago Bears on kicker Matt Bryant’s 21-yard field goal.
Former Bears quarterback Brian Griese, got some revenge on the team that parted ways with him following the 2007 season.
“I can’t lie to you guys,” he said. “The game meant a lot to me, personally, coming back.”
In the process of beating his former team, Griese approached the league record for pass attempts, throwing an unbelievable 67 passes, while completing 38 for 402 yards and two touchdowns, though he nearly negated his performance by throwing three interceptions.
“This is huge,” coach Jon Gruden said. “We lost a difficult game at the end of regulation in New Orleans, and we didn’t want to lose another in a similar fashion.”
While the Buccaneers haven’t been known for their offensive prowess under head coach Jon Gruden, they are ranked eighth in overall offense, averaging 372.3 total yards per contest, including respectable marks in every meaningful offensive category.
Tampa Bay is putting up a stellar 253.3 passing yards per game, good for seventh overall while also averaging 23.7 points per contest, (14th), but have taken a huge step backwards on defense.
The Buccaneers are ranked 27th overall in total yards allowed, (359.0) and passing yards allowed, (237.7), but are somehow managing to excel on defense where it counts most, allowing just 19.0 point per game, 11th overall.
Here is a look at the key trends for each team, followed by my analysis and NFL Free Picks:
The Packers are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a S.U. loss.
The Packers are 7-0-2 ATS in their last 9 games following a ATS loss.
The Buccaneers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games in September.
The Buccaneers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games.
The Over is 4-0 in Packers last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
The Over is 5-0 in Buccaneers last 5 games following a S.U. win.
The Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Tampa Bay.
The Under is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.
NFL Odds
Green Bay Packers +1 -110
Tampa Bay Buccaneers -1 -110
Over 42½ -110
Under 42½ -110
Analysis: With two teams that are nearly evenly matched, this game has the classic look of a ‘field goal’ game, so I’m urging NFL bettors to take the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win their second consecutive game by the slimmest of margins. However, I’m also going to tell my beloved NFL wagering enthusiasts that the ‘Over’ looks like a lock in this contest.
