Lost glory and backs against the wall are two ways to summarize the Packers vs. Buccaneers Week 15 game.
The Green Bay Packers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, two formidable teams of yesteryears, continue to hold out hope for a playoff spot. At best, what they can get is a wild card spot.
Whoever loses in this game will see their hopes dwindle.
The Buccaneers have a higher chance of winning the Division as the National Football Conference South has three teams with 6-7 records.
The Packers, also with a 6-7 record, have a virtually impossible chance of getting an assured playoff spot. The Detroit Lions have to drop all their remaining games, and the Packers win theirs to steal the number one ranking.
Regardless of their playoff chances, this match will still make a good TV moment.
Read more: NFL Week 15 Best Matchups to Watch
The game will be held at Lambeau Field on Sunday, December 17, at 01:00 P.M. EST. Fans can catch it through CBS Sports or stream via NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube.
Packers vs. Buccaneers Week 15 Odds, Spread, Betting Lines
The Lambeau Field crowd can be hostile for any visiting teams, and the Buccaneers will have their hands full at the get-go.
The Packers are favorites to win the game, according to select bookmakers.
Spread: Packers (-3.5), Buccaneers (+3.5)
Moneyline: Packers (-175); Buccaneers (+145)
Over/under: 41.5
Packers vs. Buccaneers Week 15 Preview
Buccaneers have the better form right now. They are coming off two straight victories, although it must be noted that those wins came off against lowly teams, the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers.
Coach Todd Bowles' squad won just by an average of 3.5 points against those teams and put up just 50 points in total.
They are -8 in points differential and are 22nd in scoring offense. They are 3-4 in one-score games and 3-4 in road games.
Packers-Buccaneers head-to-head might not tell much about their current strength, but it would hint at how the latter perform against the Wisconsin-based club.
Green Bay won four of their last five meetings and has a total margin of 123-99 points.
An exciting plot for this match is Baker Mayfield, who returns to Lambeau for a third straight time in a different uniform. In those instances, he underperformed.
He warned about what it is like playing in Wisconsin in December.
"I've only played there in December, so yeah, it's kind of hit or miss with the weather and what you're going to get," Mayfield said.
"Guys just have to be prepared for the grass. That's something I learned pretty quickly - it's slick. This late in the year, obviously it's not in the best condition. It's a little bit longer, so you've got to be ready for that."
Although the Packers are expected to win, they have to beat themselves first. They were in the game against the New York Giants even if they gave up 209 yards rushing, far beyond their average.
"We've just got to do our job every single play," linebacker De'Vondre Campbell said. "It's not rocket science. It's not hard. You've just got to do your job. That's it."
Packers vs. Buccaneers Week 15 Pick
This will be a close, low-scoring affair. The Packers will win, although the Buccaneers might cover the spread.
Final score prediction: 22-19, Packers.
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