The 8-2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers have to feel great about their performance this season -- and they don't even believe they've played their best football yet.

The Bucs know that a win against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday would give them a head start for the NFC's No. 1 playoff seed. In their past four meetings in Tampa, the Bucs have beaten the Pack. That's a huge confidence-builder for Tampa Bay.

But coach Jon Gruden is never content. Gruden has been waiting for his offense to progress, and it has shown signs of improvement in the past couple of games. The Packers, though, are a confident team. How could they not be with one of football's best players leading the charge? Quarterback Brett Favre plays best in pressure-packed situations. He's capable of taking over games. With No. 4 under center, Green Bay is always confident.

Favre's performance in last week's loss to the Vikings was an aberration. He will have one or two of those games each year, but the Packers don't worry about back-to-back poor performances from Favre. He's too good.

The Packers know that last week's loss never should have happened, and they'll battle back. And with four consecutive defeats in the Bucs' lair, they have a statement to make in Tampa. Expect the Packers to come out aggressively and confidently. They won't play scared, that's not their philosophy. Homefield advantage throughout the playoffs could mean having the Super Bowl in their back pocket. And the Bucs are standing in their way of making that happen.

Five Keys for the Bucs

1. Four-man front
The Bucs are as good as any team in the league at rushing with their down four -- two defensive tackles and two defensive ends. They need to pressure Favre with four men (not five, six or seven). They can't blitz all the time. If they have success with that on Sunday, it will bode well for them.

2. Consistent run
Do the Bucs focus on Mike Alstott inside or Michael Pittman outside? Both? Or one or the other? The Bucs are still trying to figure that out. Against the Packers, they need to find consistency in their running game. The success of the West Coast offense is predicated on a successful running game. It's not just a pass offense. More consistency running will give them more opportunity to push the ball downfield with the pass. The Bucs need to find their identity, then execute it consistently.

3. Make big plays
Tampa Bay employs a West Coast, ball-control, short-passing offense. The Bucs aren't known for their big-play ability. They lack offensive speed and will almost have to manufacture big plays. But they need to make those big plays happen. If they can run the ball (see No. 2), the Bucs improve their chances of getting the big play. Quarterback Brad Johnson is an extremely accurate passer. Because they're at home, they can afford a few shots downfield. Green Bay has been banged up and their depth is being tested. The Bucs need to go after them right away.

4. Stop the run
In Green Bay's past four games in Tampa, the Packers are averaging only 71 yards on the ground per game. Tampa Bay has to stop Ahman Green and force Favre into long-yardage passing situations, which will put extra pressure on Favre. The Bucs must stop the run and let their secondary contain the long passing game.

5. Kicking
This game could easily come down to the kicking game. The Bucs have to win in the red zone -- they need to get at least three scores. If they get to 21 or 24 points, I think they'll win. But they need to convert their field-goal opportunities. You can't get into the red zone and not come away with points.

Five Keys for the Packers

1. No turnovers
Not on the ground, not through the air. On the road, in what you know will be a close game, against one of the best defenses in the league, turnovers cannot happen. Protect the ball. Favre must make sure that if it's not there, he throws it away -- and if Ahman Green is running, squeeze the ball. If it's a choice between fumbling to get two extra yards, forget about the extra yards -- protect the ball.

2. Utilize depth
The Packers have been depleted with injuries but have found a way to get production from backup players. That must continue. They need production from guys we don't expect. Maybe it's an interception from a lesser-known linebacker or two sacks from an obscure lineman. Someone other than safety Darren Sharper in the secondary or wide receiver Donald Driver making a big catch. Someone other than the stars must come up big in a game like this.

3. Run the ball
The Packers must not only run it, but also stay committed to it. If you get in a one-dimensional, pass-happy game, the Bucs will tee off. You at least need the threat of the run. Even if you pass for just minimal yards, the threat has to be there to keep the defensive front from teeing off.

4. Three TDs or more
If the Packers can do this, they'll be in control. Tampa Bay's offense isn't explosive, so if Green Bay can get several scores, it will be hard for Tampa Bay. If the Packers can get three TDs and a couple of field goals, the Bucs will have a tough time overcoming that output -- because they still rely on their defense.

5. Get after Johnson
The Packers need to tee off on Brad Johnson -- by winning on first down and keeping the Bucs in long-yardage situations. If the Pack can get to Johnson early in the game and make the Bucs come from behind, they can force Tampa Bay's hand on offense. Green Bay must pressure Johnson and dictate the tempo.

Sean Salisbury covers the NFL for ESPN.