Lance Allan: Sports Glance with Lance

PACKERS-BUCS PREDICTION TIME

TIME TO BEAT CHUCKY, THE HEAT & HUMIDITY OF FLORIDA

By Lance Allan Archived Content

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All of the Packers players will say it this week.  The heat and humidity won't affect them, they're hydrating.

Antonio Freeman says hogwash.  I talked to the former Packers wide receiver on the field before the Packers-Cowboys game, and he said no matter how many times he told the media he'd be ready for the heat and humidity, playing in Tampa in September takes something out of you.  Especially when that Bucs defense starts smacking you around in the 4th quarter.

So it's prediction time.  When the Packers have the ball:

They need to run it.  Ryan Grant says he can finally cut it loose in practice.  He'll need to during the game.  The Bucs will want to control the clock, so the Packers need to fight fire with fire by winning the time of possession battle by grinding it out on the ground and keeping the pressure off of Aaron Rodgers.  The Packers need to allow Rodgers to elude the pressure and make plays with his feet, something he couldn't do by getting sacked 5 times against the Cowboys.  It will be a plus to have Scott Wells back at center, and Jason Spitz at right guard

When the Bucs have the ball:  Trust me and take this to the bank.  Brian Griese will not throw the ball 67 times.  He's still icing his arm down after that air assault against the Bears.  Jon Gruden will want more balance, and you can be sure he noticed the 217 yards and 5.7 yards per carry that Dallas racked up.  It's gut check time for the Packers defensive line as Earnest Graham and Warrick Dunn expect to get fed a lot of carries.

Prediction:  Keep in mind I'm 3-0, undefeated, one game better than the Packers.  So I say 19-16 Bucs in a knockdown, drag out slugfest under the Florida sun.

Your thoughts welcome at lallan@todaystmj4.com