Packers will benefit from home-field advantage

In many respects, especially from a statistical one, the Green Bay Packers’ and Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ seasons have mirrored the other.

Both the Packers and Buccaneers saw their standout quarterbacks go down with injuries and, as one might expect, both teams suffered the consequences. The Buccaneers are 4-7 and will be watching the playoffs on television. The Packers are 5-6 and, barring a miracle of sorts, will also be home for the holidays.

The similarities between the Packers and Buccaneers are stunningly striking in the total number of points they’ve scored and allowed this season: The Packers have totaled 232 points; the Buccaneers have scored 223. The Packers have yielded 261 points; the Buccaneers have surrendered 262.

The difference in today’s game between the Packers and Buccaneers could be the site: Lambeau Field. While the Packers have hardly been overwhelming at home with a 3-3 record, the Buccaneers have been deplorable on the road with a  1-5 mark.

Prediction: Packers 23, Buccaneers 20