The last realignment of the National Football League resulting in the four team divisions across two conferences just happened to rob fans of the Battle of the Bays rivalry. We’ve gotten over it but this sure was a spirited one since the Packers welcomed the Buccaneers into the NFC Central Division in 1977. First game I covered at the old Sombrero had me convinced it would be a series to witness. Lynn Dickey riddled Tampa but Tom Birney’s missed kicks resulted in a 14-14 overtime tie. I also made it with the 19,00 others to the Snow Bowl at Lambeau in ’85. Steve Young’s still shivering. Brett Favre and Warren Sapp got bloodied in the first playoff meeting that was the first step on the ultimately doomed bid for a Super Bowl repeat. Fast forward to those Pirates, long banished from the Black and Blue, coming back to Lambeau and denying Aaron Rodgers his last, best chance at the final game, Tampa Bay sending the Pandemic crowd of 7772 home in the 31-26 NFC Championship, propelling Tom Brady to his last hurrah.
And here we are again, Green Bay, Tampa Bay. With a lot on the line between franchises just past Hall of Fame quarterbacks. Both with unsightly 6-7 records yet they hold the number 4 and number 7 NFC playoff seeds heading into the final month.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur’s team figured out how to win games after the uneven 2-5 start. It’s gotten done with cleaner offensive production and a bending but not big points yielding defense. That all got away from them in New York. Time now to find out if LaFleur and the team of contributors not quite two years into their careers can understand how playoff contention football needs to be played.
Short week, wide receiver room is hurting, the defense must be smarting after turning Tommy DeVito into the NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Baker Mayfield is now at the helm of the Buc’s ship against Jordan Love with a crew at his back.
Good to have the Battle of the Bays back.
