Unpacking the Game: Packers vs Buccaneers

The Packers beat the Buccaneers in Tampa, FL at Raymond James Stadium by a score of 14-12. The Packers offense started on fire, scoring touchdowns on their first two drives. However, it was really the defense and special teams units — yes, I am talking about special teams — that won the game for the Packers. Let's unpack the win and more!

Defense

It only feels right to begin our analysis of the win with the defense. From start to finish, they made life for Bucs' QB Tom Brady and Co. incredibly difficult. With Packers CB Jaire Alexander winning the coin toss, he elected to defer the ball until the second half. Unfortunately, Jaire sustained a groin injury on the first drive of the game and was ruled out for the remainder of the game. On their first possession, the Bucs' offense started with the ball and moved the ball down the field with ease before stalling out at the GB 27 yard line. This seemed like a nice break for the Packers defense who, up to that point, had let the Bucs march right down the field. After a successful 45-yard field goal, the Bucs led 3-0. This would prove to be their only lead of the game.

The Packers defense was able to get consistent pressure on the Bucs' offensive line and force Brady to make tough throws. Even though all of the hurries and pressures did not wind up as sacks, Kenny Clark was able to notch two sacks and Rashan Gary had one. There were moments when the Bucs' receivers made some nice runs after the catch against the Packers D, but it was few and far between. On two separate passing plays, the Packers D was able to step up and force two fumbles — both of which they recovered. Rookie LB Quay Walker stripped ball from Breshad Perriman, and Keisean Nixon jarred a ball loose from Russell Gage. These two plays were crucial plays against a Bucs' offense that was driving down the field and had a strong chance to add points to the scoreboard.

📷 Evan Siegle | Packers.com

Later in the game, the Bucs had to settle for another 45-yard field goal. After making it, they trailed 14-6.

The defense held very steady all game, at least up until the Bucs' last offensive drive. Tom Brady drove the ball down the field and capped it off with a 1-yard TD pass to Russell Gage. Down 14-12, the Bucs needed a two-point conversion to tie the game. Instead, they were flagged for a delay of game and had to try their attempt from the 7-yard line. This worked out in the Packers' favor. Brady lofted a pass in the right corner of the end zone, but Packers LB Campbell was able to go up high for it and tip it, forcing an incompletion. Interestingly, it sounds like prior to the play, the Jumbotron showed the Bucs' coaches gesturing. Aaron Rodgers was seen on the sidelines alerting LaFleur to the potential play call. In the post-game interview when he was asked, Rodgers refused to elaborate on what exactly he saw. However, he did state that the person operating the Jumbotron would likely not have their job much longer. It sure sounds like someone's mishap may have helped the Packers diagnose the play and force the incompletion.

📷 Evan Siegle | Packers.com

The Bucs tried a feeble onside kick that was caught and downed by WR Allen Lazard. This effectively ended the game and Aaron Rodgers did the final kneel down. The Packers D dominated the entire game right up until the end. This is where their bend, don't break mentality kicked in. It was not always pretty, but they certainly won their team the game.

Special Teams

It is strange for me to write about special teams so early on in an article. Typically I would make the section like the fine print on a contract. However, this special teams unit is worth talking about. First of all, they allowed only 46 total yards on four combined punt and kick returns. As a punt gunner, Rudy Ford was consistently able to beat the coverage down field and force a fair catch or make a sure tackle. His immediate impact on ST cannot be overstated — he is what the Packers ST unit needed. Add in Keisean Nixon and you have a completely different unit. Nixon was able to down a Pat O'Donnell punt on the 1 yard-line. Playing from the shadow of their own end zone, the Buccaneers went three and out and were forced to punt. The Packers put great pressure on the punt and LB Tipa Galeai was blocked into the punter, while returner Amari Rodgers ran the punt to the Bucs' 40 yard line. Unfortunately the refs assessed a penalty on Galeai and the Bucs were able to punt again. The ensuing return was less great and resulted in the Packers taking over at their own 45 yard line. On the return side, the Packers did not field any kicks and fair caught all but two punts. Amari Rodgers had two punt returns for 21 yards. Inexplicably, he fair caught one punt from the Packers 10 yard line when he had blockers and lots of open field in front of him. This was his only miscue on the night. On the whole, the ST unit is playing much more disciplined and it is actually kind of exciting to watch! Its impact was already experienced in the game, and I look forward to seeing how it might impact future games.

Offense

With the return of David Bakhtiari, the Packers were able to put together their preferred offensive line. Bakhtiari - Runyan - Myers - Newman - Jenkins. I would be remiss if I did not mention the impact that Bakhtiari had in the game. Even though he rotated each drive playing LT with Yosh Nijman. his impact goes beyond statistics.

📷 Evan Siegle | Packers.com

For a guy who had not played an entire game in nearly two seasons, I could not be more impressed with how Bakhtiari played. He buoyed the confidence and morale for fans (and the offense), as many believed that he would never play another snap after experiencing several setbacks in his ACL recovery. His return helped solidify the offensive line and provide QB Aaron Rodgers with more time in the pocket.

Running the ball against the stout Bucs' run defense was rather difficult. Aaron Jones rushed 12 times for 36 yards, while AJ Dillon contributed 32 yards on 12 carries. With the run offense struggling to gain traction, Rodgers turned to rookie WR Romeo Doubs. On the first drive of the game, Rodgers hit Doubs on three passes for 35 yards and a 5-yard TD reception.

📷 Evan Siegle | Packers.com

This helped the Packers take the lead, 7-3. Doubs finished the game corralling all eight of his passes for 73 yards and one TD. Earlier in the week, LaFleur said that Doubs would need to step up in today's game, and without a doubt, he did exactly that. His needle seems to be pointing straight up.

On the second drive of the game, Rodgers hit Allen Lazard in the middle of the field for a 6-yard TD. The Packers then led the Bucs 14-3.

📷 Evan Siegle | Packers.com

The offense kept rolling and drove the ball down the field with ease on their third possession, too. Rodgers hit Aaron Jones at the goal line before Bucs' Vita Vea hit him hard from behind, jarring the ball loose. This proved to be the last productive offensive drive for the Packers, with all of the production coming in the first half.

The Packers experienced their all too familiar second-half lull and had eight consecutive drives where they failed to convert a third down. It was not until there was just over five minutes left in the fourth quarter that the Packers were able to convert on a third down with a Rodgers 6-yard pass to Lazard. Unfortunately this drive ended with a punt with 3:11 remaining in the game. Aaron Rodgers finished the game with 27 completions on 35 attempts (77% completion) for 255 yards, 2 TDs, one INT, and a 103.9 QBR.

The ineffectiveness of the offense in the second half provided Tom Brady time to score a touchdown and a chance to tie the game with a two-point conversion. Thankfully, the Packers D was able to knock the pass attempt incomplete and bail them out of the game. It is worth noting that the Bucs have an elite defense, but it is also justified to say that the Packers are still discovering their identity on offense. If it were up to me, I would make sure this new identity includes plenty of Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, play action, and Romeo Doubs. The offense is bound to strive with a balance of these factors. I cannot wait to see the offense firing on all cylinders!

Players of the Game

Romeo Doubs — He secured all eight of his targets. The Packers rookie WR record for receptions in a single game is nine.

David Bakhtiari — After many fans wrote him and his career off, Bak showed that he can still play.

Rudy Ford — To think that the Jaguars cut him is unfathomable. The guy is a special teams ace!

Keisean Nixon — Copy and paste but replace "Jaguars" with "Raiders". He filled in admirably for Jaire Alexander on defense with a key forced fumble and had a great impact on special teams.

De'Vondre Campbell — He led all Packers defenders with 14 total tackles, but also made the crucial play on the two-point conversion that would have pushed the game into overtime. He's an all-pro.

Next up, the Packers host the New England Patriots at home next Sunday, October 2nd to face a team whose QB, Mac Jones, is potentially going on IR with a high-ankle sprain. The Patriots are always a competitive team, but Jones' injury should make winning the game a bit less difficult.

📷 Evan Siegle | Packers.com