Cheesehead
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- Mar 19, 2019
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4. The Packers must contain Tampa Bay's offensive weaponry.
The Buccaneers already had plenty of offensive firepower prior to the start of free agency last year, with 1,000-yard receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and former second-round pick Ronald Jones leading the way for the ground game.
The Buccaneers then traded for Rob Gronkowski after the All-Pro tight end chose to resume his NFL career, and signed Antonio Brown and Leonard Fournette.
Fournette, starting in place of an injured Jones, carried the ball 19 times for 93 yards and a touchdown in the Buccaneers' 31-23 win over Washington in the NFC Wild Card round.
Jones, who came 22 yards short of a 1,000-yard season, returned against the Saints, as the two running backs combined for 125 yards on 30 carries.
5. With snow in the forecast, this one could come down to turnovers.
The current forecast for Sunday calls for temperatures to be in the mid-to-high 20s and a 40% chance of snow in the afternoon. If that comes to fruition, it could place a premium on ball security.
No team in the NFL protected the ball as well as Green Bay this past season, with the Packers surrendering just 11 giveaways in 16 regular-season games.
Meanwhile, Tampa Bay tied for fifth most in takeaways (25) to finish one spot ahead of Green Bay in turnover differential (plus-eight), good for sixth.
The Buccaneers have no shortage of ballhawks, with nine different players recording an interception this season. Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, who had only one in the regular season, picked off New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees twice in the NFC Divisional playoff game on Sunday.