NFC Game Of The Week
Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Packers: They lose their first game of the year this season. “Remember, they lost their first game in 2021 and ended up winning seven straight games”. It happened once, it can happen again. There’s something everyone who’s mouthed off what I just said is failing to realize. That team last season had a Wide Receiver by the name of Davante Adams. Remember now? After the opening season loss to the Vikings, they returned home and handled business against the Chicago Bears. Aaron Rodgers wasn’t bad. He continued his ownership of the Bears. What I liked was how the Packers’ offense traveled through Aaron Jones. Until the Quarterback is on the same page with this group of Wide Receivers, watch for them to be a run-first team and that will force defenses to place additional men in the box, Aaron can use his play action and throw the ball over the top. Now, the one issue I have with the Packers once again is the defense. I know, I know. You’ve heard me say this before. This has been their problem the last few seasons. They show hope and promise only to turn around and struggle. In other words, they play defense in spurts as I mentioned last year frequently. What makes this more head-scratching is the pieces are there. On Sunday, they will make their way to Tampa.
Buccaneers: Talk about winning ugly, that’s exactly what they did on Sunday in New Orleans. Since the legendary Quarterback signed with them, the Saints have owned the Buccaneers in the regular season. Sunday marked the first win for Tom Brady as a member of the franchise. If you’ve watched Tampa Bay this year, they’ve dominated with a strong running game and a defense that’s punished their first two opponents. I already see an improvement compared to last year. If you know anything about a Todd Bowles defense, he loves to do one thing and that’s blitz. He will send the house at any time and it’ll cost them, look at the playoff game against the Rams on that go-ahead play to put the Rams in field goal position. Now, they’re playing back more and have the confidence to rush without sending additional guys and the secondary can cover naturally and not have to press or overdo it in coverage. On Sunday in New Orleans, they got after Jameis Winston. 6 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 2 fumble recoveries. This was Tony Dungy football if I ever saw it with a twist from Todd. Every tier of the defense was active. In week 3, they’ll welcome a legendary Quarterback to town.
Packers X-Factor: Rashan Gary– I was so high on him during his college days at Michigan and he’s being counted on more now to step up, especially after the Packers lost Za’Darius Smith. Rashan has made a huge improvement in the league. Back in college, he was a pass-rushing specialist. Now, he’s becoming a solid run-stopper. Rashan’s motor is electric and it never gives out. That’s what you call effort.
Buccaneers X-Factor: Leonard Fournette– He’s been their best offensive player early on. Tom hasn’t been in sync with any of his Wide Receivers outside of Mike Evans. When you continue to feed Leonard the football, good things come from it. He’s the type of running back to wear down a defense and will continue to run the football until they can clamp down to stop it. The Packers have struggled so far to stop the run.
Final Thoughts: For the sixth and potentially final time, we get a match-up of two future Hall of Fame Quarterbacks. The last time these two teams met, the Buccaneers won the NFC Championship at Lambeau en route to their 2nd Super Bowl title in franchise history. I expect the Packers to come out with a heavy dose of the running game on Sunday. Running the ball will further open the passing gates up for Rodgers. This will be the best offense the Bucs defense will have faced all year so far. I’m watching this Tampa defensive line closely. Look for the secondary to do more than enough in the back end to force Aaron to hold onto the ball longer than he wants. Make him hesitate. I see this contest being decided on who can rush the passer more effectively.
Prediction: Buccaneers 23, Packers 17
