The Green Bay Packers head to Tampa for a meeting with the struggling Bucs. The Packers enter this game with a 1-2 mark while the Bucs are 0-3. The Packers are coming off an embarrassing 35-14 loss to the Falcons last Thursday. The Bucs lost to the Vikings last week 23-16. Here are the keys to victory for the Packers in their Week 4 meeting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Packers lead the all-time series between these two teams 33-23-1 in the regular season. The two teams first met in 1977. The Packers and Bucs have split their two playoff meetings.
Here are the keys to victory for Sunday’s game in Tampa:
Packers Keys to Victory vs Buccaneers, Number One: Protect Jordan Love
The Packers offensive line has been historically bad through three games. Last week, their pass block win rate was just 16 percent. Last season, the worst ranking for the season in the NFL was 53 percent.
The Packers have tried to revamp their offensive line by signing guards Kevin Zeitler, Laken Tomlinson, and Mekhi Becton. The Packers are not sure as of now whether any of them will be ready to play on Sunday, but at least help is on the way.
Whoever plays, the Packers will have to do a better job of protecting Jordan Love who has been under seize as soon as the ball has been snapped.
The Bucs have recorded six sacks through three games. David Walker leads the team with two sacks. No other player has more than one.
If Love has time to throw, the Packers chances of winning go up dramatically. Matt LaFleur can help by calling quicker release passes and keeping the defense off the field by sustaining drives.
Number Two: Stop Bucky Irving and the Running Game
The Packers had no answer for Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson last week as he ran for nearly 200 yards on his own. This week, the challenge is to stop Tampa Bay running back Bucky Irving.
Irving is averaging a healthy 4.5-yards per carry through three games and has run for one touchdown. With Baker Mayfield out of the lineup, the Bucs will likely emphasize the run more than usual, so stopping Irving becomes an even bigger priority.
The Packers tackling was shoddy last week and must improve. They cannot allow the Bucs to control the clock and keep the game close.
Will the defense bounce back from last week’s poor performance or was that the new normal for this team?
Packers Keys to Victory vs Buccaneers, Number Three: Confuse Jalon Daniels
With Mayfield out, the Bucs will turn to undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels. The former Kansas star will be making his first NFL start. Thus far, he has only attempted three passes and he is 0-for-3 with an interception.
Defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon will seek to confuse Daniels with disguised blitz and coverage packages. The Packers don’t need to sack the quarterback, but if they can make him think instead of reacting and take advantage of that extra second to force him into errors, they can gain an advantage here.
Keep an eye on the matchup between Packers edge rusher Lukas Van Ness and Bucs left tackle Tristan Wirfs. Van Ness has played well this season and Wirfs is one of the best pass blockers in the game.
Number Four: Involve Tucker Kraft
Tucker Kraft has struggled a bit this season. Through three games, he has just nine catches for 106 yards and has yet to score a touchdown. The slow start cannot be considered a surprise as he works his way back from the torn ACL he suffered last season.
But throwing short passes to Kraft or Jonnu Smith and letting them gain yards after the catch could help the Packers sustain long drives, keep the defense off the field and get Kraft and Smith more involved in the offense. It could also help relieve some of the pressure on Love.
It’s far too soon to worry about Kraft, but getting him more involved in the offense would be a good way to get him back on track assuming he’s ready for the workload that would entail.
Packers Keys to Victory vs Buccaneers, Number Five: Slow Down Emeka Egbuka
Emeka Egbuka has emerged as the Buccaneers top wide receiver. He has 13 catches for 141 yards and a touchdown which leads the team in each of those categories.
The Packers will rely on Keisean Nixon and Brandon Cisse to contain Egbuka and keep him from making big plays. Both cornerbacks have had their good moments and their struggles thus far this season.
Because Daniels lacks experience, he may look for his top receivers even more frequently than a veteran would. The Packers will need a strong performance from their corners to limit Egbuka’s effectiveness in this game.
Number Six: Find a Semblance of a Running Game
It will be difficult for the Packers to move the ball on the ground against the Tampa Bay defense. The Bucs enter this game ranked second in the league by allowing opponents just 76 yards per game rushing.
The Packers offense ranks dead last in the NFL in rushing yards and last week gained just 17 yards on nine carries the entire game.
LaFleur indicated he cannot abandon the running game to that extent again. So, expect the Packers to at least try to run the ball against the Bucs.
Center Sean Rhyan and whoever starts at guard will have their hands full trying to open up holes against nose tackle Vita Vea. Vea remains one of the best at his position in the league.
Prediction:
This shapes up to be a must-win game for both teams. The Packers cannot afford to fall to 1-3 with the Bears and Cowboys next on their schedule.
The Packers also need this win psychologically after playing so poorly in the home opener last Thursday in all facets of the game.
Losing to a team starting an undrafted rookie making his first start would be a back breaker for the Packers. This game won’t be pretty, but the Packers are the better team and will find a way to win ugly.
Packers 17, Bucs 10
Follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers
Click here for more great Packers coverage
Check out our YouTube channel here
