Packers’ ultimate game recap: Defense makes last stand vs Buccaneers
The Green Bay Packers held on to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14-12 in a preview of Super Bowl contenders.
The Packers started hot by scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions to take a 14-3 lead. They were driving on their third possession before an Aaron Jones’ fumble at the one-yard line took away another scoring opportunity. Matt LaFleur dialed up some great plays to start the game, but Green Bay could not generate any other scoring drives in the game.
Thankfully, the defense showed out against an overmatched Bucs’ offense that didn’t have their top three wide receivers. The Packers responded time and time again and were able to hold off one final Tampa Bay comeback attempt. Tom Brady and the offense drove the field and scored a touchdown with 14 seconds remaining, bringing the score to 14-12. However, their two-point conversion failed and the Packers caught the ensuing onside kick attempt to seal the game.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Green Bay Packers’ close victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3.
Offensive player of the game
Aaron Rodgers: The MVP wasn’t perfect in this game, but he controlled every aspect of the offense and helped them do enough to win. He finished the game 27-for-35 for 255 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He was surgical to start the game and made insane reads to find open receivers in tight windows. The Bucs’ D had allowed 13 total points in the first two games and Green Bay was able to drop 14 on them.
Defensive player of the game
Kenny Clark: Clark set the tone from the first drive and failed to allow Tampa Bay to generate any momentum in the passing or running games. He constantly played on the Buccaneers’ side of the line of scrimmage, moving their offensive lineman backward. He finished the game with four tackles (two for loss) and two sacks.
Stats to know
34: The total rushing yards Green Bay’s defense allowed on 14 attempts.
14: The number of tackles De’Vondre Cambell finished with, including eight solo tackles.
8: Romeo Doubs set a career-high with eight receptions for 73 yards and one touchdown. He led the team in all three categories.
2: The number of pass deflections Rasul Douglas had. Douglas struggled at times, but also got his hands on a couple of balls.
1: Green Bay started the game going 5-for-5 on third-down conversions, but only completed one of their last 10.
Standouts
Romeo Doubs: With Sammy Watkins and Christian Watson sidelined, Doubs rose to the occasion. Many of his receptions were near the line of scrimmage and he showed off some very good bust, forcing several missed tackles. He finished with eight receptions for 73 yards and one touchdown.
Rudy Ford: Ford played excellent from his gunner position on the punt team, flying down the field and making multiple stops by himself. It was apparent why the Packers signed him, as he was a near one-man wrecking crew on a day Green Bay couldn’t afford any special teams’ mistakes.
Keisean Nixon: Jaire Alexander went down with a groin injury early in the game, forcing Keisean Nixon into action. Nixon held his own and played aggressively in coverage. It’s not ideal if Alexander misses time, but Nixon should make fans feel better about the cornerback depth.
Worrisome
Jaire Alexander went out with a groin injury in the first quarter and didn’t return to the game. Green Bay doesn’t have very good depth (even if Nixon played well on Sunday) and can’t afford their star cornerback to miss a lot of time. We’ll see what his diagnosis is this week.
The Packers also committed two more turnovers against Tampa Bay and have at least one in every game this season. They typically pride themself on protecting the rock and need to return to that.
Next. 5 Packers off to a slow start to begin the season. dark
What’s next?
On Sunday, the Packers host Tom Brady’s old team, the New England Patriots. The Patriots are 1-2 coming off a defeat against the Baltimore Ravens. Even worse for New England, starting quarterback Mac Jones went down with a nasty-looking high ankle sprain and his status is unknown for next week.