NFC Championship Game Betting Predictions: Best Props Buccaneers at Packers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers, Lambeau Field, 3:05 p.m. EST. Jan 24, 2021.
When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game, it will be just the second meeting between the teams in the postseason, with the Packers getting the upper hand in the 1997 Divisional Round. From an individual franchise perspective, this will be just the Bucs’ fourth trip to the NFC Championship Game, and they hold a record of 1-2 in those games with the lone win coming in their Super Bowl-winning season in 2002. The Packers will be making their ninth appearance in the NFC Championship Game, and they hold a record of 3-5. In the three wins, they went on to win the Super Bowl twice.
As of writing this, the Packers are 3.5-point favorites, with the total set at 51.5. Based on what we saw from both teams in the Divisional Round, this is going to be an exciting contest. For starters, we get to see two of the greatest quarterbacks of all time go head-to-head in Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. Brady has been the right man for the job in Tampa and has turned away father time’s attempt to slow him down. As for Rodgers, he’s the likely MVP of the league this year, and he will be looking to cement his status as a Top 5 quarterback of all time with a second Super Bowl ring. From a team perspective, both teams love to put up points and can do so in a hurry, so we could be in for more fireworks than we bargained for in this one. Sign me up!
Team Total Points
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – “Over 23.5” -120, “Under 23.5”, -120
Unless this game is being played in a snowstorm, I believe the Bucs could grab at least one turnover that sets them up with a short field or perhaps a defensive touchdown, which will push them over this total. Look, the Bucs don’t need any help from the Packers to reach this number as their offense is among the best in the league in the passing game and points per game. For the season, they averaged 30.8. And in their two playoff games, they put up 31 and 30. The Packers’ defense will be the worst defense they’ve played out of the three playoff games, and we see Brady and his plethora of weapons moving up and down the field and scoring at least 28 points in this contest. This game WILL be high scoring, and both teams are likely to go over their respective team total.
Pick: Over 23.5 team points -120
Player Passing Yards
Aaron Rodgers- “Over” 279.5 -112, “Under” 279.5, -112
How do you go against Aaron Rodgers in a home playoff game? The man has been on an absolute tear this season and is about to in the MVP award. Rodgers has topped the 280-yard passing mark 11 times this season, and I believe he can make that 12 against a Bucs’ defense that is good but only good against the run. Look, don’t let last week’s interception parade against Drew Brees fool you into thinking the secondary is good. The Bucs rank 21st in passing yards allowed, and we see this being an extremely high-scoring game with both quarterbacks moving the ball through the air. Rodgers is on an “eff you” tour this season, and there would be no better way to make a statement than by A) beating Tom Brady to reach the Super Bowl and B) winning said Super Bowl in spite of the lack of help from the front office.
Pick: Over 27.9 -112
Player Receptions
Mike Evans- “Over” 4.5 -125, “Under” 4.5, +100
I know I mentioned that the Bucs move the ball through the air just about better than every other team in the league, but Mike Evans is dealing with some nagging injuries and we just can’t trust him in this spot. Yes, he’s an elite receiver in the game. However, the way he’s been used is worrisome if you’re taking the over in this prop. He caught just one ball last week for three yards and a touchdown. Prior to that, he caught six for 119, then three for 46 and then 10, and then six and then three and three. It’s a mixed bag. Brady knows he can trust Evans in big spots near the red zone, but we don’t see him being effectively used in this one. Instead, we expect big games from Godwin, Miller, and Brate just based on how the Packers are expected to deploy their defensive coverages. At plus money, I can’t resist taking the under.
Pick: Under 4.5 Receptions
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