It’s week 8 and the Bucs are going to feature their 3rd starting QB of the season; Josh Freeman. Josh Freeman is Raheem’s highly touted 1st round draft pick out of Kansas State. The original plan was to let him learn behind Byron Leftwich, but that didn’t work out so well. Then they wanted the other QB named Josh to play and well that didn’t work out so well either. Now it’s Freeman’s turn.

Talk about an early Christmas present for the Packers. The Packers 4th ranked defense is probably chomping at the bit to get this game started. Part of the reason the other Josh started before Freeman was because he’s not ready and my guess is that he still isn’t. The Packers only allow 19.1 points per game and only 281 yards per game. They also have to outstanding cornerbacks in Al Harris and Charles Woodson. Like most rookie QB’s, Freeman will make a bad pass at a bad time and something bad will happen. The Packers will probably put 8 in the box and triple dog dare the Bucs to throw the ball. It gets worse for the Bucs.

The Packers bring the 9th best offense in the NFL vs the Bucs 28th best. I know the bromance is strong with Brett Favre, but Aaron Rodgers 110.4 passer rating leads the NFL. His 14 to 2 TD to Int ratio is outstanding too. The one thing that does stand out is Rodgers been sacked a league high 31 times, but the Bucs pass rush is weak, so there probably won’t be much pressure on Rodgers and he’ll have all day to pick apart the Bucs secondary.

One cool match up to watch is Donald Driver vs Ronde Barber. Both guys are 34 years old and still bringing it. Driver seems to be ageless and just keeps getting it done and it seems Barber has lost a step this season. My money is on Driver, but it’s amazing both guys are still playing at such a high level and at positions that require you to be a freak of an athlete.

The spread is Bucs +10. Take the Packers -10. I was humbled by the Patriots in the previous game when I thought the Bucs would cover the 16 points, but we know how that went down, so I’m 5 -2 now vs the Bucs spread. Josh Freeman is going to make too many mistakes and it’s going to cost the Bucs points and field position all day. The Bucs also have a new field goal kicker, Conner Barth, so that won’t help the cause either. Typically, there’s a reason why someone is available and not working in the NFL and that’s because he’s just not that good.

The fantasy is pretty easy. Aaron Rodgers is going to have a big day, plain and simple. Ryan Grant shoud have a solid game running and the catching the ball too. Greg Jennings will get loose at some point and get his and then get some more.

Kellen Winslow was the only respectable start lately on the Bucs, but with Freeman at QB I would start another TE if you have one or just hope for the best. Other than Winslow there is no player or position with value on the Bucs.

Enjoy the game, the throw back uniforms and Bucco Bruce!