5 Big Questions ahead of Packers Week 3 matchup with Bucs

How will the Packers offense fare against a talented Bucs defense?

Pick a key defensive category. Quarterback pressures, turnovers, points, yards allowed, and this Buccaneers defense either ranked first or close to it. As LaFleur said, this week will be a “great challenge” for the offense.

"“You definitely see their speed and aggressiveness, they pressure quite a bit, and they do a great job of getting the ball out. They’re one of the best in the business, always punching at the ball,” said LaFleur on Wednesday. “When you combine that with the scheme they run, they do a great job of disguising one thing, and then next thing you know, they’re blitzing on the snap, whatever it may be. It’s very sound, and it’s going to be a great challenge for our offense. I think it will give us a much better indication of where we are at this point in the season.”"

Last week against Chicago, it looked like the Packers’ offense found what their identity should be this season with a good run-pass mix, a heavy dose of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon, along with the ball being spread around in the passing game.

However, accomplishing all of that while remaining efficient is going to be a major challenge.

As I’ve already mentioned, any success begins with an effective run game. This leads to some unpredictability as it gives LaFleur more flexibility as a play-caller. The Tampa defense won’t be able to get after Rodgers as easily, and it will help create for the passing game–not to mention getting the ball into the hands of Jones.

Again, this sounds great, but executing this plan versus talking about it are two very different things.

If the going gets tough, will the Packers stick with the run game?

As I’ve already discussed, establishing the run game is a must. But what if the offense falls behind early? Or what if Jones and Dillon are averaging only three yards per rush? Will LaFleur and Rodgers stick with it?

In the past, when those situations I just described have happened, we’ve often seen LaFleur and Rodgers get away from the run game–often becoming one-dimensional and pass-happy and, admittedly, doing so a bit prematurely. Rodgers just described this scenario taking place in Week 1 in Minnesota.

This is a fine balance that the Packers will have to strike. Obviously, if they get down by multiple scores and it’s later in the game, they’re going to have to pass more. But there should be no reason to abandon the run game in the first half. And unless they are really far behind, the run game should still be a factor into the third quarter.

If not, and Green Bay becomes one-dimensional, this Buccaneers defense is going to have a field day. Just go back and rewatch the 2020 matchup between these two teams in Tampa Bay for the script of what will take place.

This is no longer an offense that can pass their way out of trouble. If they are going to find success, the run game has to be a key element, even if it’s tough sledding.