Buccaneers 28-23 Packers, :24, 3^rd quarter

Tampa Bay stuffs Green Bay. 2^nd & goal. Rodgers throws to nowhere. 3^rd & goal. Settling for a field goal here would be yet another deflating moment given the momentum they had all drive.

Well, they don’t have to worry about that, Rodgers flings an easy pass to Adams for a touchdown. Looking at the score, they decide to try for a two-point conversion. St. Brown catches Rodgers’ pass AND DROPS IT. Oof, that could haunt them. It’s a five point game and Tampa Bay will get the ball again.

Buccaneers 28-17 Packers, 1:39, 3^rd quarter

This time around the Tampa Bay defense has their eye on Williams, stuffing him for a yard. 1^st & 9 at the Tampa Bay 12. He finds Adams who gets hit before the first down, but it’s hit to the head that draws a flag. This is going to be a first down, unnecessary roughness, for half the distance to the goal. It’s 1^st and goal here at the 3-yard line.

Buccaneers 28-17 Packers, 2:59, 3^rd quarter

Mercedes Lewis gets six yards here, that’s 2^nd & 4. The Buccaneers put in some pressure here and Dillon is only to get 3 yards. It’s a key 3^rd & 2 and Rodgers finds a very open Williams for yet another first down. Williams takes off for 11 yards and they’re at the Tampa Bay 13 now.

Buccaneers 28-17 Packers, 5:02, 3^rd quarter

Rodgers goes to Dillon again, that’s a five yard gain. The next throw is to Ronyan and it’s yet another completion. They are just eating territory here, they have a first down at the Tampa Bay 32.

Buccaneers 28-17 Packers, 6:35, 3^rd quarter

Rodgers finds Williams for 2 yards. That takes Green Bay to their 39. Rodgers finds Adams on the next play and he gets 4 yards. Meanwhile, Jordan Whitehead is out for Tampa Bay, a big loss.

Another Rodgers throw, this one to running back A.J. Dillon, and another first-down. They’re in Tampa Bay territory now.

Buccaneers 28-17 Packers, 7:54, 3^rd quarter

Rodgers throws one deep, it’s incomplete to Dominique Dafney. However, there’s a flag on the play. Let’s see how this goes: there is an offsides call on, not surprisingly, Suh. That’s a five yard gain for them and no play.

I am not sure if I’m ready to accept “Tampa Bay: City Of Champions” in my lifetime.

Interception! (Buccaneers)

Buccaneers 28-17 Packers, 8:06, 3^rd quarter

Brady’s next throw… is picked off by Adrian Amos! Man did Green Bay need that! They will start on their own 32.

Buccaneers 28-17 Packers, 8:06, 3^rd quarter

Brady throws incomplete here. Meanwhile, Green Bay lineman Tyler Lancaster is hurt, so we’ll have a brief break here.

Buccaneers 28-17 Packers, 8:46, 3^rd quarter

Fournette picks up five yards on his first carry and nine yards on this next. He’s been having a great game, obviously. The Buccaneers have a first down at their own 38.

Buccaneers 28-17 Packers, 9:28, 3^rd quarter

Mickens recovers Crosby’s kick to the Tampa Bay 24, where the Buccaneers will start their next drive.

Buccaneers 28-10 Packers, 10:22, 3^rd quarter

Rodgers throws deep to the end zone on first down, but there’s nobody there. 2^nd & 10 on the Tampa Bay 24. On the next play, Rodgers scrambles a bit and then nails Lazard for a 16 yard completion. They’re at the 8-yard line now. They can’t squander this opportunity.

Buccaneers 28-10 Packers, 11:06, 3^rd quarter

Rodgers finds Valdes-Scantling again and this time it’s a huge gain: 24 yards. They’re at the Tampa Bay 24. Equanimeous St. Brown, who has my favorite name of any of the players in this game, gets 10 yards to take them to the Tampa Bay 24.

Buccaneers 28-10 Packers, 12:31, 3^rd quarter

Okay, the Packers get another shot here at an opening drive. They start on their own 35. Jamaal Williams picks up six yards on first down and an additional yard on the next. 3^rd & 3, Rodgers finds Adams for ten yards to get them to the Green Bay 42. They know they need a score here, badly.

Yeah Brady and the Buccs seem to have the Green Bay defense absolutely befuddled.

Buccaneers 28-10 Packers, 13:54, 3^rd quarter

On the first play of the Tampa Bay drive, Brady finds Brate in the end zone for another touchdown. It’s starting to look like we’re not getting a quarterback duel here after all. The extra point is good for Tampa Bay.

FUMBLE (Buccaneers recover)

Buccaneers 21-10 Packers, 13:58, 3^rd quarter

Rodgers throws to Jones, but that’s incomplete. Based on the calls we hear from the field, the next play is something called “Pelican!” It is not a good one, Rodgers’s throw is to Jones who gets taken out by Jordan Whitehead. Devin White gets the ball to the Green Bay 8! And Aaron Jones is hurt on the play. That’s as bad of a start as you’ll get.

Buccaneers 21-10 Packers, 14:30, 3^rd quarter

Pinion’s kickoff hits the end zone for a touch back. The Packers are back on the field. Rodgers throws to Jones for a five-yard gain.

Well, he’s still helping someone in New England win, at least.

So what do the odds say about Green Bay’s chances at making a comeback?

Uh, I’m not big on math but these seem not so great.

I didn’t think there was much Brady count add to his Hall of Fame reel but wow… if Tampa Bay holds on to win this one, that’s definitely going to make it.

Halftime thoughts

Well, that was just about the most deflating thing that can happen to a NFL team in a playoff game. Aaron Rodgers throws a rare interception with time running out in the half, but his defense manages to get three quick stops that would seem to stop them from taking advantage of the turnover. Instead, Brady goes for it on fourth down, gets the completion, and then picks up a touchdown with just seconds left on the clock.

The Packers have the kind of offense that will allow them to score quickly, plus they will have the ball to start the second half, but they are going to have to have very short memories here.

End of the 2^nd quarter

Disaster for Green Bay. Brady airs one out to Scotty Miller who completes a 39-yard touchdown! The extra point is good! They thought they had the Buccaneers held to a punt attempt, instead they gave up 7 right before the half.

Buccaneers 14-10 Packers, :06, 2^nd quarter

Well, credit the Green Bay defense for making quick work of Brady and company. Right before the Tampa Bay snap, Green Bay takes a timeout. Never mind, Tampa Bay are going for it. On 4^th & 3, Brady finds Fournette for a first down. Tampa Bay take another timeout.

Buccaneers 14-10 Packers, :13, 2^nd quarter

The Buccaneers take over at the Green Bay 49. Fournette picks up six additional yards. Brady throws incomplete. 3^rd & 4 with time winding down. Brady throws very long, this one’s nearly picked. Something of a prayer shot. Tampa Bay takes a timeout.

Buccaneers 14-10 Packers, :25, 2^nd quarter

Oof, Jason Pierre-Paul sacks Rodgers for a seven-yard loss. Tampa Bay takes a timeout. On the next play, Rodgers throws deep and it’s intercepted! It’s meant for Lazard, but it’s picked off by Sean Murphy-Bunting! Tampa Bay ball!

Buccaneers 14-10 Packers, :38, 2^nd quarter

2^nd & 10 for the Packers. Rodgers finds Williams again, he gets four yards before being taken down by Ndamukong Suh (who is still in the league!) This time, it’s Rodgers who has the 3^rd down magic as he throws to Lazard who picks up 23 yards.

Buccaneers 14-10 Packers, 2:00, 2^nd quarter

Tavon Austin makes a fair catch on the Tampa Bay punt at the Green Bay 13. The clock is not on the Packers’ side here. Rodgers hands off to Williams who gets nothing and we are at the Two Minute Warning.

Buccaneers 14-10 Packers, 2:21, 2^nd quarter

Brady can’t connect with Scotty Miller. Maybe they’re all just waiting around for third down here. 2^nd & 10, the Packers stuff Fournette, who gets credit for a yard. 3^rd & 9. Brady throws to… nobody. Finally a third down stop for Green Bay.

Buccaneers 14-10 Packers, 3:46, 2^nd quarter

Jones picks up another yard. 3^rd & 2, would be a very big stop here considering how dangerous Brady has been so far today. Instead, Brady finds Godwin for a 19 yard gain! Yikes, the third-down success continues for Tampa Bay.

Buccaneers 14-10 Packers, 4:58, 2^nd quarter

Crosby’s kick goes into the end zone for a touchback. Brady finds Fournette for a 7 yard gain, not a bad way to start to a drive.

Field goal (Packers)

Buccaneers 14-10 Packers, 4:59, 2^nd quarter

Rodgers’s throw is… too long, it’s caught by Adams just outside of the end zone. So, so close. The Packers have to settle for a field goal. Crosby’s kick is good but this feels like it could haunt Green Bay, they aren’t going to have an easier touchdown opportunity.

Buccaneers 14-7 Packers, 5:11, 2^nd quarter

Packers take a timeout. The way that Brady is playing, they’re not going to want to settle for a field goal here. Rodgers spots a wide-open spot for Adams but he… misses. Wow. 2^nd and goal. Rodger’s next pass is batted down. Oof.

Buccaneers 14-7 Packers, 5:59, 2^nd quarter

Jones holds onto the ball this time but gets just one yard. 2^nd & 9, Jones picks up 7. A crucial 3^rd &3 here for Green Bay. Jones gets the ball again and rams his way through to the Tampa Bay 6. 1^st and goal.

Buccaneers 14-7 Packers, 8:12, 2^nd quarter

Rodgers to Mercedes Lewis for… nearly a first down. It’s just 9 yards, but that’s a manageable 2^nd & 1. Jones gets the ball and fumbles it… BUT it’s recovered by Tonyan. So Green Bay remains at the Tampa Bay 18.

Buccaneers 14-7 Packers, 9:40, 2^nd quarter

Adams gets another 5 yards. The Pack are at the Tampa Bay 42. Aaron Jones gets 12 yards and another first-down. Okay, now Green Bay is cooking.

Buccaneers 14-7 Packers, 10:59, 2^nd quarter

Rodgers-to-Adams for a 3-yard-gain. The Packers are at their 41. Williams gets the ball next and he goes 12 yards to get into Tampa Bay territory.

Challenge successful!

Buccaneers 14-7 Packers, 12:19, 2^nd quarter

The Packers’ challenge is successful so they will be starting at their 25 instead. Rodgers’s 1^st down throw is incomplete, thanks to Tampa Bay’s defense. On 2^nd down, however, he hits Valdes-Scantling for a 12 yard gain. He’s having a pretty decent day so far.

Buccaneers 14-7 Packers, 12:24, 2^nd quarter

Jamaal Williams returns Pinion’s kick to the Green Bay 13, but the Packers are going to challenge that it hit the goal line for a touchback. So we have our first review of the game. This is somewhat less exciting than a touchdown run.

12:24, 2^nd quarter

This time, Fournette gets the ball and he runs his way just barely into the end zone for a Buccaneers touchdown. Well, it’s looking like we very much might have a shootout here after all. The extra point is good.

Buccaneers 7-7 Packers, 13:20, 2^nd quarter

Godwin drops a Brady pass, the third drop for Tampa Bay. 3^rd & 9. Brady aims for Godwin again and he juggles it but makes a tumbling catch at the Packers 20 yard line. Well, that’s one way to make up for a drop.

Buccaneers 7-7 Packers, 14:02, 2^nd quarter

Jaydon Mickens takes Crosby’s kick to the Tampa Bay 27. Ronald Jones get the ball on first down and squeezes out a yard before going down.