Green Bay Packers: 5 Things that went Wrong in Week 6 vs Bucs

Green Bay Packers passing game

Of course, when Rodgers is under pressure, the passing game is going to struggle. But even before things went sideways and even when Rodgers had time, this unit was all out of whack.

The Packers would score on their first two drives of the game, but it’s not as if the passing game was in-sync. The ball was not coming out on time, and many of the completions that happened were a result of Rodgers’ ad-libbing–which again, looked like the offense at the end of the McCarthy era. It can work from time to time, but it’s not sustainable, and it’s not how Matt LaFleur wants this offense to run.

Tampa Bay Defensive Coordinator Todd Bowles was throwing different coverage looks at the Green Bay offense that they just weren’t ready for. According to Pro Football Focus, when Rodgers faced no pressure, he completed only 54.5 percent of his passes on 22 attempts for 5.1 yards per attempt with two interceptions.

Turnovers

Another obvious note, but one certainly worth making. The Green Bay Packers held a 10-0 lead and had the ball after Tampa had found little success on offense. On 3rd and 10 from the Packers’ own 22, Rodgers tried to squeeze one into Davante Adams on the sidelines, but it was intercepted and returned for a touchdown.

The following possession, it was 3rd and 3; Rodgers tried to find Adams again, but it was broken up, and as the ball popped into the air, it was intercepted again and returned to the Green Bay 2-yard line. This led to another quick and easy score for the Bucs.

All of a sudden and in a matter of minutes, the Packers went from leading 10-0 to down 14-10. Momentum had shifted, and from there, the game quickly got out of hand.

Turnovers — as they often do in the playoffs — are going play a huge deciding factor this Sunday. It’s hard to envision Rodgers throwing two or even one interception again, and Tampa is coming off a game where they forced four turnovers against New Orleans. If Green Bay can protect the ball, it’s going to put added pressure on the Tampa Bay offense to create points on their own.