Green Bay Packers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pick & Prediction SEPTEMBER 25th 2022
Ben Miller
The Green Bay Packers followed up a week 1 loss with a huge win at home in week 2. They took on the Chicago Bears and pulled off an easy 27-10 victory. Now, with a little bit of momentum under their wings, they head out to Tampa Bay. They have one of their best receivers back on the roster too. So, can the Packers pull off their first 2022 road victory?
Another team gaining a bit of momentum is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With a 2-0 record, Tom Brady and the Buccaneers are coming off of a 20-10 win. Their offense hasn’t looked great this season, but they’re performing well under pressure. In week 1 they faced the Dak Prescott-led Dallas Cowboys and won 19-3. Their defense is doing all it can to win games this season.
Packers vs. Buccaneers Odds
TV: FOX
MONEY LINE: Packers (-102) vs. Buccaneers (-118)
SPREAD: Packers -1.5 (-110) vs. Buccaneers -1.5 (-110)
GAME TOTAL: Over 41.5 (-115) vs. Under 41.5 (-105)
Packers vs. Buccaneers Preview (NFL Week 3)
The Green Bay Packers got off to a rough start, but bounced back last week. QB Aaron Rodgers returned to form in week 2, throwing for 234 yards and two touchdowns. Sammy Watkins, an emerging target for Rodgers, was able to put up 93 yards receiving, which led the Packers.
Coming into this game, the Packers will need to have another strong offensive performance. The only trouble we see is they still have a few offensive linemen that are sidelined. Elgton Jenkins, the starting guard, is currently listed as questionable and David Bakhtiari is as well.
If neither of these two play, the Packers are going to be in a bit of trouble. The Buccaneers are likely to blitz Rodgers frequently, which could result in a few sacks. This was the case in week 1 when the Packers faced the Vikings. They’ll need to find a way to protect Rodgers on Sunday.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers come into this game averaging just 19.5 points per game. They rank 18th in the league in this category, which is unlike any team led by Tom Brady. The even worse news is that wide receiver Mike Evans has been suspended, so he won’t be playing.
Last week against the New Orleans Saints, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers put up only 260 total yards. Brady was responsible for most of it, throwing for 190 yards and a touchdown. Although the first half ended with the Saints having a 3-0 lead, from there, it was all Tampa Bay.
The Buccaneers scored 17 points in the fourth quarter, winning the game 20-10. The Packers defense is slightly more resilient, however. The Buccaneers will be without their best receiver. Because of this, the Buccaneers will have to get creative and find other ways to score.
Packers vs. Buccaneers Picks
This game’s an interesting one, especially because of the two quarterbacks. With Evans out, Tom Brady has only a few targets he can rely on. Tampa Bay’s offense has sputtered to start the year, and Green Bay’s is heating up. Since the spread is so small, this game is essentially a pick'em, which is why we’ll take the Buccaneers.
These two teams played in January of last year and the Buccaneers came away with a win. The Packers had Davante Adams at that time, but they still lost. Tampa Bay’s defense has allowed only 6.5 points per game this season. With a few offensive linemen out, the Packers come in at a steep disadvantage.
Final Score: 20-17 (Buccaneers)
EXTRA POINTS
1. Green Bay is 2-5 against the spread in their last seven games.
2. The Packers have a 1-4 record against the spread in their last five road games.
3. The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Green Bay's last 6 games.
Best Bet: Tampa Bay Buccaneers -1.5 (-110) and Under 41.5 (-105)
Green Bay Packers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ronald Jones II rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sent the Green Bay Packers crashing from the unbeaten's ranks with a 38-10 pounding at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
Tom Brady contributed an efficient 17 of 27 performance for 166 yards and two scores, including the 91st touchdown pass of his career to tight end Rob Gronkowski. The 12-yard connection with 1:02 left in the first half capped a 28-point second quarter outburst that shaped the game's remainder.
Brady and Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers were standing on the sidelines in baseball caps before the NFC battle ended. Rodgers was battered after a sharp first two possessions, finishing 16 of 35 for 160 yards with two interceptions.
The first quarter hinted at another dominant performance for the Packers' offense. They drove 10 plays and 54 yards to start the game, getting a 39-yard field goal from Mason Crosby. Aaron Jones capped a march of 7:32 with a 1-yard touchdown run for a 10-0 lead.
The Buccaneers (4-2) turned momentum with their defense. Jamel Dean picked off Rodgers -- the first Green Bay turnover in five games -- and cruised 32 yards to cut the deficit to 10-7 just 2:18 into the second quarter.
A tipped-ball interception by Mike Edwards resulted in a 37-yard return to the 2. Ronald Jones scored his first touchdown on the next play and Tampa Bay led for good.
Brady polished off a drive of 6:05 with a 7-yard scoring strike to Tyler Johnson with 4:35 left for a 21-10 advantage. Then Brady led a classic two-minute drill of 62 yards to finish the second quarter explosion, hitting his old New England teammate Gronkowski to put the Packers (4-1) away.
Ryan Succop added a 50-yard field goal less than three minutes into the third quarter for a 31-10 lead, and Ronald Jones capped an 85-yard march with a 1-yard touchdown run with 2:40 left in the period.
Jones became the first Buccaneers' running back since Doug Martin in 2015 to rush for 100 yards in three straight games.
Tampa Bay wasn't called for any penalties, while the Packers were flagged six times for 76 yards.
--Field Level Media
- NFL
