Green Bay Packers at Bucs: 5 Big Questions Before Sunday’s Matchup
By Paul Bretl
Can the Green Bay Packers run game find success?
Behind Aaron Jones and a very good offensive line, the Green Bay Packers have one of the most productive run games in the NFL this season. Their 150.8 rushing yards per game ranks as the sixth most, but they will be up against what is statistically the league’s best run defense in Tampa Bay.
Through five games, the Bucs are allowing only 58.4 rushing yards per game, which is the lowest average out of any team, and opponents are averaging just 2.48 yards per carry. Although, as previously mentioned, it remains unknown how this Bucs’ interior defensive line will handle not having Veta Vea in the middle. With that said, Sunday could still very well be tough sledding for both Jones and Jamaal Williams.
Can the Green Bay Packers secondary slow Mike Evans and Chris Godwin?
So far this season, the Green Bay Packers’ secondary has faced Detroit, New Orleans, and Atlanta, but they haven’t had to face Kenny Golladay, Michael Thomas, and Julio Jones didn’t play in the second half. This week, however, it looks like they’ll have to face both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
Evans and Tom Brady have formed quite the one-two punch in the red zone as Evans is tied for the league in touchdown receptions and, of course, with both receivers, you always have to be mindful of the big play. Brady is tied with Aaron Rodgers for the most deep pass attempts this season with 30, and Tampa’s 18 explosive pass plays – receptions of 20 yards or more – is the sixth most in the NFL.
Shutting down both Evans and Godwin doesn’t seem realistic, especially if Kevin King is unable to play Sunday, but the Packers’ secondary will have to find a way to contain the dynamic duo and limit those big plays.