Key Battles, Week 13 Edition: Tampa Bay at Green Bay

The Packers must limit the Bucs' high-flying passing attack if they wish to snap a three-game home losing streak and keep their playoff hopes alive. 

Against the Steelers in a stinging 31-28 road loss, Green Bay checked nearly every box required to be in a position to win. Brett Hundley played by far his best game as a pro, helping manufacture much-needed big plays. Jamal Williams kept the chains moving on the ground and as a receiver. The defense generated turnovers. The only thing the Packers didn’t do was enough to limit Pittsburgh playmakers Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. 
 
Good teams like Pittsburgh don’t allow for much margin of error. Thankfully, this week the Packers have a much more forgiving opponent in Tampa Bay. 
 
The following are the key battles for Sunday’s contest: 
 

Keep Tampa Bay receivers from taking over

Don’t let the 4-7 record fool you: Tampa Bay’s passing offense is dangerous. It starts with the Bucs’ deep supply of playmakers, led by Mike Evans and Desean Jackson. Both are downfield threats, Evans using his size, jumping ability, and unique catching radius, while Jackson is reliant on breakaway speed. Quarterback Jameis Winston, who returns from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the past three games, has never been gun shy about feeding his playmakers with plenty of targets. There’s more, though, with tight ends Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard. 
 
Tampa Bay doesn’t have a running game to speak of, and the offensive line has battled injuries throughout the year. But Winston and Co. will get their yards against the Packers secondary. The key to limiting big plays might just be the Packers finding a pass rush. It helps to get a pass rush going when you know your opponent is going to be passing. Unless the Packers make life hard for Winston, then Evans/Jackson and the tight ends could wreak havoc. It’s worth noting that Cameron Brate was added to the injury report this week (hip) and is questionable. 
 

Don’t tempt fate — maintain offensive balance

As tempting as it might seem to push Hundley to pick up where he left off against Pittsburgh, head coach Mike McCarthy would do well to make running the ball the primary offensive focus. Jamal Williams has shown himself capable of taking what the blockers give him and finishing with the pile moving forward. If Aaron Jones is active, he could provide the playmaking dimension that Williams, by comparison, lacks. What the Packers can’t do is throw it 40 times. Tampa Bay doesn’t have a good defense, so the Packers should have less reason to abandon the run. 
 

Make the Bucs pay for mistakes

Turnovers are hard to depend on week in and week out, but Winston is the giving type of quarterback. In eight games, Winston has thrown six interceptions and fumbled eight times (though only three of those went the other way). Over his short career, he’s made a habit of trying too hard, a Favre-ian, gunslinging trait that leads to interceptions. What the Packers need to do Sunday is make the Bucs pay for their mistakes. Against Pittsburgh, Green Bay didn’t do enough on the scoreboard with the turnover opportunities they created. Against Tampa Bay at home—where the Packers have lost three straight—they’ll get a big boost if they can capitalize on turnovers. 
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Comments (8)

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NickPerry's picture

December 02, 2017 at 11:22 am

The Packers have issues sacking the QB, getting any pressure on the QB, and they no longer have any "Ball Hawks" in the secondary. If we're counting on turnovers to help the Packers win it may be a long afternoon. If Rodgers was playing I wouldn't worry, the offense could outscore them if need be. But with Hundley you just don't know which Hundley will show up.

"KEEP TAMPA RECEIVERS FROM TAKING OVER"

Wouldn't it be nice to have a CB like Casey Hayward right now? He's the TOP ranked CB in the NFL this season according to PFF. He was the Defensive Player of the Month for November, and he has 3 or the top 5 games by a CB this year according to PFF. WAY TO GO TED!!! #13.5 Million for 3 years and you didn't get it done???

What a PUTZ!

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NickPerry's picture

December 02, 2017 at 04:57 pm

Hayward was a slot CB IN GB. He plays ALL OVER in San Diego, not just the slot. As a matter of fact I watch quite a few Chargers games because I live in LA and he lines up outside quite a bit, maybe more than the slot IIRC.

www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2017/11/30/16719814/chargers-cb-casey-hayward-w...

Matter of fact he basically just covers the Top WR of the opposing team.

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NWPackersfan's picture

December 02, 2017 at 12:48 pm

Same goes for Mikah Hyde and Peppers....Tight Wad Ted just doesn't get it nor does any of the rest of Management .

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

December 02, 2017 at 12:57 pm

Its not TT fault..or those players. ...Dom Capers does not know how to use the talent he hasthat's the botton line...if we were 11_0 then one would care about. .Peppers. .hyde or heywood...
JUST FIRE DOM CAPERS AND YOU WILL SEE AN UNBELIEVABLE DEFENSE.

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dobber's picture

December 02, 2017 at 05:11 pm

"Don’t tempt fate — maintain offensive balance"

So essentially you're saying Mike McCarthy vs. Mike McCarthy?

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EdsLaces's picture

December 02, 2017 at 06:35 pm

CBs don't make the pass rush better ....pass rush makes the cbs better. Perhaps Hayward is killing it for the Chargers cause their pass rush is insane ???

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flackcatcher's picture

December 02, 2017 at 06:51 pm

This game will be won or lost in the secondary. It will all depend on health and match-ups. That's the way it is in today's NFL.

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carlos's picture

December 02, 2017 at 07:14 pm

I hope Packers can get a win, but I really hope Cleveland wins this week also. It’ll take the pressure off.

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