A juicy NFC Championship game is on the schedule for Sunday, January 24, 2021, when Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5) visit Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers (13-3). Tampa Bay went on the road and beat New Orleans to get to this stage and Green Bay took care of the Los Angeles Rams at home. This game will air live on FOX at 3:05 p.m. EST.
Tampa Bay is into their first conference championship game since they won the Super Bowl during the 2002 season. This will be the fourth NFC Championship appearance for Tampa Bay, and they will look to improve their record to 2-2 in these games.
Green Bay is into their second consecutive conference game third in the past five seasons. This will be Green Bay’s ninth conference championship game since realignment and 11th overall as Green Bay currently boasts a 5-5 record in those games. Green Bay is currently on a three-game losing streak in the conference championship and will look to advance to their first Super Bowl since winning in 2010.
These two teams met back in the 1997 Divisional round when Green Bay came away with a 21-7 victory.
Below is my best bet for the NFC Championship Game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers. All lines are from DraftKings Sportsbook.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers (-3.5): O/U 51.5 (-105/-117)
Last time out, Tampa Bay visited the New Orleans Saints and left the Superdome with a 30-20 win. The Tampa Bay defense was the story of this game as they forced four Saints turnovers and set up the Bucs offense multiple times. Tampa Bay trailed for most of the game, but they scored the final 13 points of the game to leave Louisiana with a double-digit victory. Tom Brady went 18/33 for 199 yards, two touchdown, zero interceptions on the night. Leonard Fournette was the Bucs best offensive player as he rushed the ball 17 times for 63 yards and hauled in five receptions for 44 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, the Bucs allowed just 294 total yards and forced those four turnovers, three interceptions and one lost fumble.
Green Bay hosted and battered and bruised Los Angeles Rams team and came away with a comfortable 32-18 victory. The Packers never trailed in this game, and though it was a one touchdown game in the fourth quarter, it never felt like Green Bay was going to lose this game. Aaron Rodgers was excellent once again as he went 22/36 for 296 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions, and added an additional touchdown on the ground. Aaron Jones rushed the ball 14 times for 99 yards and one touchdown, and Allen Lazard and Davante Adams combined for 162 yards and two touchdowns on 13 receptions. Defensively, the Packers allowed just 244 total yards on the night.
Series History: Green Bay has won three of the last four meetings, but Tampa Bay dominated Green Bay earlier this season, winning 38-10. Green Bay leads the all-time series 33-22-1.
Game Prediction: I don’t see any NFC team stopping Aaron Rodgers and this Green Bay team. Give me Packers -3.5 to win by 7-14 points and to advance to the Super Bowl.
2020-2021 NFL Season Picks Results: 67-51-2
