4 steps for the Buccaneers to return to the Super Bowl
By Rob Leeds
The Buccaneers are in the NFC Championship. Is this even real?
It almost feels surreal to type this out. The Buccaneers have been a below-average franchise during the vast majority of their time in the NFL, save a short run in the turn of the century, but all that has changed now. The Buccaneers are back to the NFC Championship, and their track record there is 100% (never mind the sample size).
The Buccaneers have one last opponent before them until they have a shot at the ultimate prize. Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are looking to end the narrative about the Packers “wasting his career” and will not be an easy opponent to overcome.
Fortunately, the Bucs have already risen to the occasion once in this matchup this season, and these steps should lead to repeat success.
Step #1
Keep the same defense as last week.
In fact, the Buccaneers need to keep the exact same defense as last week when they face Aaron Rodgers. The Buccaneer defense held true against Drew Brees, and while Rodgers is a different animal entirely, that defensive showing would have worked against anyone.
Aaron Rodgers already played one of the worst games of his career against the Bucs this season, and the pressure is on Tampa Bay to hold him back when it matters most. Rodgers is currently the most-likely MVP for the season, so shutting him out like earlier in the season is an extremely tall task.
The defense has to stay in press coverage, yes, even against Davante Adams, and the Bucs have to count on Devin White and Lavonte David to continue making huge plays in the playoffs.