The Green Bay Packers (2-1) started fast, stalled for a good chunk of two quarters but still managed to get past Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium, using a late stop from De’Vondre Campbell on a two-point conversion to preserve a 14-12 win on the road in Week 3.
Buy Packers TicketsIt was over when…
… Allen Lazard calmly collected the onside kick with 14 seconds left after the failed two-point conversion, allowing Aaron Rodgers to kneel down once to end the contest.
Game balls
– WR Romeo Doubs/WR Allen Lazard: The rookie caught a career-high eight passes and scored his first NFL touchdown. The veteran caught the second score, made a few big plays late and finished it with the onside kick recovery.
– LB De’Vondre Campbell: Tough to beat 14 tackles, a tackle for loss and the win-sealing pass breakup on the two-point attempt.
– S Rudy Ford: Punter Pat O’Donnell was excellent, but so was Ford, who helped create five punts inside the 20-yard line with menacing coverage.
Key stat
1-for-10: After starting 5-for-5 on third down, the Packers finished the game converting just one of their final 10 attempts.
Scoring
0-3: Ryan Succop 45-yard field goal
7-3: Romeo Doubs 5-yard touchdown (extra point)
14-3: Allen Lazard 6-yard touchdown (extra point)
14-6: Ryan Succop 45-yard field goal
14-12: Russell Gage 1-yard touchdown (failed conversion)
Quick takes
– The offense showed what it can be over the first two drives, and then showed how much more progress is required before consistent excellence is acquired. The Packers ripped off over 200 total yards on the first three drives, but everything changed when Aaron Jones fumbled at the 1-yard line. The Packers final drives: punt, punt, punt, interception, punt, punt, punt, punt, end of game.
– The Packers defense, before a disappointingly passive performance on the final drive, was dominant against an overmatched Bucs offense.
– Running the ball was a big challenge. Aaron Jones (12 for 36 yards) and A.J. Dillon (12 for 32) were both held at 3.0 yards per carry or worse.
– Count this as a highly successful return to the field for David Bakhtiari. He rotated in and out with Yosh Nijman and looked rock-solid at left tackle.
– Romeo Doubs caught all eight of his targets. He looked open on a few other dropbacks, too. The moment wasn’t too big for the rookie.
– The defensive front was disruptive from start to finish. A lesser quarterback than Tom Brady might have taken a half-dozen sacks or more. He got the ball out of his hands lightning quick to neutralize some of the defense’s best rushes.
– It sure seemed like Aaron Rodgers and the Packers were trying to dial up the kill shot during the second half and couldn’t find it.
– Randall Cobb made two big plays in the first half: a 17-yarder to convert on third down and a 40-yarder to open the third drive.
– The special teams were terrific. The Packers consistently pinned the Bucs deep with good punts and coverage. A couple of long returns by Amari Rodgers got wiped out by questionable penalties.
– The Packers lost cornerback Jaire Alexander to a groin injury.
– It wasn’t pretty, and the Bucs were beaten up at key spots, but this was still a big win over an NFC contender.
What’s next
The Packers (2-1) head home to face Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots (1-2) at Lambeau Field next Sunday. The Pats lost to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3.
