{image1}The Green Bay Packers have become road warriors, as they won their second road game in three weeks Sunday to keep their playoff hopes alive.

With the win, the Packers pulled to 5-5 in the NFC North. The Minnesota Vikings continued their collapse with a loss at Oakland and lead the Pack by only one game.

"This certainly was a big game for us," said coach Mike Sherman, whose team won for the first time in six games in the new Tampa stadium. "We came down here knowing our backs were against the wall.

"Our only objective was to win this game. We had to get physical to do so. Our offensive line stepped up and did a great job against one of the better rushing defenses in the league."

The Packers ran for more than 190 yards, with Ahman Green going over 100 for the seventh time this season. Tony Fisher and Najah Davenport also ran the ball well when spelling Green.

Fisher scored a touchdown to give the Packers an early lead. After the Bucs came back to tie the score 13-13, the Packers went on a 98 yard, 17 play drive for the winning touchdown.

Davenport had the key run on that drive, plunging for a first down on a fourth and inches play.

"That drive was huge for us," Sherman said. "Najeh did a great job, as did Tony Fisher. Ahman got cramped up during that drive, but the other guys came in and were just as physical running the football."

With Brett Favre's thumb still hampering him, the Packers needed to have their rushing game. Twenty-one of their last 28 plays were running plays.

The Packers also won a huge game at Minnesota two weeks ago to stay in the division race. Now, they have to regain their edge at Lambeau Field, where they have lost two heartbreakers in a row.

Players of the Game

Several Packers deserve the honor. Green certainly should get a mention for once again eclipsing 100 yards.

Davenport also should get the honor for his hard running, and a 56-yard kickoff return in the second quarter that set up a field goal.

Na'il Diggs and Nick Barnett had good defensive games from their linebacker slots. Barnett had an interception and was all over the field.

But, give the No. 1 honor to tackle Chad Clifton, who only a year ago in Tampa suffered a season-ending injury when he was laid out by Warren Sapp.

Clifton was matched up against perhaps the best pass rusher in the NFL in Simeon Rice and virtually nullified him. You have to believe that his play inspired the offensive line to one of its best performances of the season.

Plays of the Game

The key play has to be Davenport's fourth down run that kept the 98-yard scoring drive alive.

Darren Sharper's interception to end the game also was a big one, although it came on a Hail Mary by Brad Johnson.

Yet another biggie was a Tampa Bay challenge that failed late in the game. Robert Ferguson looked to have downed a punt at the Bucs' two-yard line, but TB coach John Gruden challenged, saying Ferguson had stepped into the end zone before downing the ball.

But, the officials let the call stand. If they had reversed it, the Bucs would have gotten the ball at the 20, instead of the two, and who knows what might have happened.

Let's hope one play in the fourth quarter doesn't turn out to be too big in the long run. Favre hit his broken thumb on a helmet while following through on a pass. He did not throw a pass the rest of the game.

Sherman said he thought about taking Favre out of the game after the play, but added, "Brett would have none of that."

Goats of the Game

Johnson's numbers don't look that bad, but he is not a strong field leader. It's amazing the Bucs won the Super Bowl last season with him at quarterback.

Keyshawn Johnson, who is supposed to be a big play man for TB, also showed virtually nothing.

And, let's not forget Warren Sapp, the guy who injured Clifton last season and loves to shoot his mouth off. Sapp was held to two tackles and was virtually run over by Davenport on a couple plays.

Next week

The Packers can't let down against the 49ers, who come to Lambeau next Sunday. It looks like the Vikings are self-destructing, so the Packers still have a chance of getting into the playoffs by winning the division title.

But, they have to play with the same confidence and physical style as they did in Minnesota and Tampa Bay. They can't let any leads slip away and have to hang onto the ball.

The Niners are not that strong this season, but are still capable of an upset if the Packers let down at all.

Gregg Hoffmann writes On The Pack after every Packers' game, exclusively for OMC.