Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers topped Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a hard-fought game on the road, 14-12. The Packers’ offense got off to a good start, scoring on their first two drives and moving down the field with ease. They could have added another touchdown early on, but Aaron Jones fumbled at Tampa’s goal line, and the Buccaneers recovered.
The defense was at their imperious best. They held Brady and his misfit receiving corps to just three points in the first half. Whenever it looked like the Buccaneers were gaining momentum, the defense took it away.
After failing to score in the second half, the Buccaneers had the chance to potentially tie the game on a two-point conversion following a touchdown pass to Russell Gage. But thanks to a delay of game on the ensuing two-point attempt, Tampa needed seven yards to take it to overtime. Green Bay’s pass rush was able to move Brady off his spot and make him force a throw into coverage. As the ball sailed to Gage in the back corner of the end zone, linebacker De’Vondre Campbell swatted it away to end any hope of a comeback.
Here are five numbers that tell the story of the Packers’ win.
73
Rookie Romeo Doubs made his debut as a starter and ended the day with 73 yards. From the first snap, it looked like the Packers’ plan was to get him acclimated to the offense and in sync with Rodgers. Doubs was heavily involved in the opening drive, catching three passes and finding his way into the end zone.
With Christian Watson and Sammy Watkins out, fourth-round rookie Doubs had a much larger role than usual. He capitalized on his opportunity and was often Rodgers’ go-to target when they needed a key play.
2.83
Jones and A.J. Dillon struggled to get anything going on the ground as they combined to average just 2.8 yards per carry. Over the past two weeks, the Jones-and-Dillon tandem was the focal point of the offense. It seemed like every time they needed a big play, one of them was there to make it.
Akiem Hicks missed Week 3, so the assumption was it would be easier for Jones and Dillon to run the ball up the gut. Instead, Tampa’s defense was ready almost every time Rodgers handed off the ball.
Despite what little success they had on the ground, Matt LaFleur was committed to the run. Maybe he was hoping they could either control the clock or tire the Buccaneers’ defense and potentially break one loose, but it never happened.
2/11
The Packers’ defense was incredible at getting off the field, holding the Buccaneers to just two third-down conversions on 11 attempts. Despite Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Julio Jones missing this game, Brady is always a threat to have his team stay on the field and wear out opposing defenses with sustained drives.
The Packers’ defense didn’t allow the Bucs a single third-down conversion in the entire first half. Tampa Bay only needed one yard on both the conversions that the Packers allowed.
This is an impressive feat, regardless of whether or not the Buccaneers were at full strength. Any time you can get the opposing offense off the field quickly, you put yourself in a great position to win. That’s exactly what the Packers’ defense did.
2.9
With their lack of receiving options, the Buccaneers figured to lean heavily on Leonard Fournette. But the Packers were able to shut him down completely, only allowing the former LSU star just 2.9 yards per attempt.
Green Bay’s ability to shut down the ground game early allowed them to make the Buccaneers one-dimensional. As Tampa Bay moved away from the run, the Packers’ defensive line pinned their ears back and got after Brady with impunity.
The Packers’ run defense has come a long way. A few years ago, players like Alvin Karmara and Dalvin Cook were able to singlehandedly steal wins away from them.
2
The Packers’ offense didn’t do a good job taking care of the ball, turning it over twice. They’ve been uncharacteristically careless with the football this season by their own standards; they have five turnovers on the season already.
The offense drove the ball downfield well, notching points on their first two drives. But after Jones fumbled in the end zone, the Packers struggled to move the ball again. Green Bay’s offense needed to stack up as many points as possible while the Buccaneers’ defense was still a bit sleepy. Instead, the fumble in the endzone woke them up, and they didn’t allow the Packers to score again.
Even Rodgers made another mistake this week, throwing an interception to Logan Ryan over the middle at midfield. While the Buccaneers weren’t able to capitalize on Green Bay’s blunder, the Packers might not be so fortunate again. Green Bay has allowed just three points on their five turnovers this season. That’s a nice little stat for the defense, but if the Packers continue to gift opponents the ball, they’ll inevitably start surrendering points.
