The Green Bay Packers (1-1) have a chance to score a big early-season win over a contender when Matt LaFleur’s team travels to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers (2-0) on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
Could this be another NFC title game preview?
Here’s how the staff at Packers Wire believes the Week 3 showdown against the Bucs will go down:
Zach Kruse (1-1): Buccaneers 17, Packers 13
This is a tough one. The Bucs are dealing with key injuries, and so much about the NFL is not who you play, but when you play them. This is a decent time to play the Bucs, who are hurting at receiver and both the offensive and defensive lines. But it’s still hard to predict the Packers avoiding big mistakes and scoring enough points to beat the Bucs in the sun and heat of Tampa Bay on Sunday. The guess here is that the Packers defense plays exceedingly well and keeps Matt LaFleur’s team in the fight for all 60 minutes, but the Bucs will corral Aaron Jones and then produce a turnover here or there to get the winning edge. The Packers passing game is still developing and probably isn’t ready for the test ahead, and it’s so hard to win big games in the NFL without consistent timing, protection and finishing in the passing game.
Brandon Carwile (2-0): Buccaneers 20, Packers 14
The last time the Packers started 1-2 they ended up reaching the NFC Championship, only to suffer a brutal collapse against the Seattle Seahawks. It hurts to even bring up the 2014 season, but it’s more of a reminder that all is not lost if they lose to the Buccaneers on Sunday. This Tampa Bay defense is legit and Aaron Rodgers will be missing one of his top targets, and perhaps more, due to injuries. I think Matt LaFleur will do his best to get Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon the ball, but it will be too difficult to sustain drives against a blazing fast Buccaneers defense. Defensively, Green Bay will play conservative when they should play anything but. Tom Brady has struggled under pressure this season but the Packers aren’t the blitzing type. Maybe Green Bay’s 4-man rush will be enough to stop Brady but then Tampa Bay can always run it down the throat of an unfortified run defense. Everyone is expecting a Brady vs Rodgers showcase, but this game will come down to defense, where the Buccaneers have the clear advantage.
Paul Bretl (2-0): Buccaneers 17, Packers 13
All eyes will be on Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady but it will be the defenses and the run games that determine this one. Finding success on the ground is a must for the Packers, as it will open up the playbook and passing game while also giving Aaron Rodgers additional time on passing plays. We’ve seen what happens, specifically against the Bucs, when this offense gets one-dimensional—and it’s not good. That, of course, is going to be easier said than done going up against one of the NFL’s top defenses. From the Bucs offense I’d expect a lot of Leonard Fournette and the run game, which has given the Packers fits early on this season, in part because of some poor tackling. Ultimately, I think Tampa is better equipped to win this game. Run defense isn’t the Packers strong suit and when things get tough, Green Bay tends to get pass-happy, and I don’t see that being a recipe for success.
Brennen Rupp (1-1): Packers 16, Buccaneers 13
Aaron Rodgers vs. Tom Brady. All the injuries at wide receiver. The suspension of Mike Evans. People are excited to watch two of the greatest quarterbacks square off on Sunday, but I’m excited to watch these two defenses put on a show. Kenny Clark and Vita Vea. Tampa Bay has the best linebacker duo in the league and Green Bay’s group could soon make the case for that argument. Both teams have a good pass-rushing duo. This game is going to come down to which quarterback can make the most of their limited scoring opportunities. Give me Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay’s dynamic one-two punch at running back.
| Writer | Prediction | Score | Record |
| Zach Kruse | Loss | 17-13 | 1-1 |
| Brandon Carwile | Loss | 20-13 | 2-0 |
| Paul Bretl | Loss | 17-13 | 2-0 |
| Brennen Rupp | Win | 16-13 | 1-1 |
