Green Bay Packers

3 Things the Buccaneers Do Well

Photo Credit: Kim Klement (USA TODAY Sports)

The Green Bay Packers settled more than a few nerves after systematically dismantling the Chicago Bears last Sunday night. After a Week 1 that left most fans flummoxed, the Packers looked like the team that had been the top seed in the NFC for the past two years.

This week Green Bay hits the road to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team that dashed their Super Bowl hopes two years ago at Lambeau.

The Bucs have been something of a boogeyman for the Packers of late, but a lot has changed since their fateful playoff showdown. Tampa Bay has dealt with retirements and a swift un-retirement, a fake vaccination scandal, and star receivers exiting unceremoniously. Though this might not be the same Buccaneers team that beat the Packers two years ago, they are still a threat to everyone in the NFC and contenders for a Super Bowl.

Here are three things that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers do well.

Get After the Quarterback

With Tom Brady, Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, and Julio Jones on offense, it is easy to forget about Tampa Bay’s defense. However, the defense has been the team’s strength so far.

One way they can hold their own is by getting after the quarterback. So far this season, the Buccaneers lead the NFL with 10 sacks. With the loss of Jason Pierre-Paul this offseason, many expected the pass rush to become a shell of its former self. Still, new head coach Todd Bowles has been able to find a way around this and is still able to get opposing quarterbacks on the ground.

A prime example of this would be how they used their inside linebackers in the pass rush much more than in years past. So far, their inside linebackers account for five of the 10 sacks, with Devin White notching three of them. It is clear to see this year that the Buccaneers have introduced different types of blitzes that utilize the speed of White in a pass-rushing capacity instead of having him play sideline to sideline.

Run the Ball

Despite all of the attention this season going to Tampa Bay’s wide receivers, Leonard Fournette and the running game has been the Buccaneers’ ace in the hole.

Coming into the season, there were questions about whether Fournette would be in game shape after he allegedly weighed in at almost 260 lbs. this offseason. All these questions seemed to have gone away after Fournette rushed for 192 yards in the first two games.

With the Buccaneers missing Evans, Godwin, and maybe Jones and Brashad Perriman against the Packers, Fournette’s job becomes all the more important this week.

Turn the Ball Over

The Bucs effectively use pressure to force turnovers. Tampa’s defense has the second-best turnover differential to start the season with a plus-four. Last week against the New Orleans Saints, they were able to gin up two fumbles and intercept the ball three times.

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are notoriously stingy with the ball. With all of the changes along the offense this season, they have made more mistakes than usual. In Week 1, Rodgers fumbled the ball under pressure and threw somewhat of a frustration interception as he was looking to go deep. Miscommunication was on full display in Week 2, as Rodgers and A.J. Dillon bungled a hand-off exchange, and a snap hit rookie Christian Watson as he was in motion.

The Packers cannot afford to make these mistakes this week. Otherwise, Tampa’s defense will jump all over them and get points off the turnover.

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