Buccaneers defense fuels latest win and early success
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers improved 4-2 with a dominant defensive performance against the Packers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went into Sunday’s Week 6 game against the Green Bay Packers feeling like they had something to prove. They had lost their last game to the Chicago Bears in Thursday night encounter.
The Bears loss left the Buccaneers looking vulnerable and less like a playoff contender let alone a championship contender. Another loss felt like it would set the team into a tailspin it may not take itself out of. Instead, the defense stepped up to carry the team to a win.
Tampa Bay got off to what is quickly becoming a habit-forming slow start in the first quarter of the game Sunday. The Packers looked like they were in control with a 10-0 score and the ball in their hands again. If the Packers scored again, it may have led to a dominating performance for them.
Instead, Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean intercepted an Aaron Rodgers pass to Davante Adams and returned it for a touchdown. The pick-six turned the game around for the Bucs and on the ensuing possession, the team intercepted Rodgers again to set up a short touchdown for the offense.
The two turnovers turned the game around on a day when the offense was never its explosive self. Despite the 38-10 score, the offense only put up 166 yards passing and 324 total yards. Although some of this was due to game flow, the passing game never truly looked like it could take off if needed in the game.
Fortunately, the defense held a Packers offense that had been averaging 38 points per game to only 10 points and 201 total yards. It was the first game since Vita Vea’s season-ending injury and yet they still managed to hold the Packers to 94 yards rushing while star running back Aaron Jones only had 15 yards on 10 carries. Their first test was a complete success as Lavonte David and Devin White were able to fly around and make plays in the running game.
After the first few possessions, the team was able to keep Aaron Rodgers uncomfortable in the pocket while sticking to his receivers down the field. Rodgers likes to extend plays in hopes of getting his receivers open.
The Buccaneers secondary stayed disciplined and kept the Packers from achieving the big plays Rodgers was looking for. Carlton Davis continued his strong start of the season with four passes defended and also helping tip the ball that caused the second interception.
The defense pressured Rodgers with five sacks and even more importantly 13 hits. After the pick-six, Rodgers never again looked comfortable in the pocket and this kept him from getting into the type of rhythm that could lead a comeback.
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The Buccaneers defense has been the most consistent unit for the team all season. They lead the NFL in yards per game and are second in sacks and first in rushing yards per game. They have also been a playmaking defense with 11 takeaways. They wanted to be a defense that could win the team games and thus far they have been.