The Green Bay Packers got their season off on the wrong foot in Week 1 when they traveled to take on their NFC North rivals, the Minnesota Vikings. They couldn’t get anything going on either side of the ball, which led to the Vikings cruising to a 23-7 victory.
It was eerily similar to their 2021 start when they went on the road against the New Orleans Saints and got throttled, 38-3. But, just like last season, the Packers bounced back in Week 2 and picked up a decisive victory.
Green Bay had their home opener at Lambeau Field on Sunday Night Football, hosting another division rival in the Chicago Bears. After a strong first drive led by Justin Fields, the Packers’ defense buckled down and stifled the Bears.
That unit looked like the one many expected them to be coming into the season. Most importantly, the offense was able to get back on track and show improvements. Week 1 against the Vikings got off to a horrible start when rookie Christian Watson dropped what would have been a 75-yard touchdown on their first play.
That set the tone for the afternoon and led to Aaron Rodgers sharing some scathing remarks in his press conference. Week 2 was much better as the offense found more of a rhythm, as Rodgers completed 76 percent of his passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns.
The Packers are going to need more of that in Week 3 as they will be heading on the road to face Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While offenses led by future Hall of Fame quarterbacks would normally mean a high-scoring affair, that may not be the case in this one.
Rodgers and the Packers are still trying to work out the kinks and get everyone on the same page. Tampa Bay is going to be very short-handed as Mike Evans was suspended for this game. Chris Godwin and Julio Jones both missed Week 2 with injuries and while he suited up, Russell Gage Jr. battled through ailments as well.
Both teams have stout defenses, however, which will take advantage of any opportunities their opponent presents to them. With that in mind, what can we expect from Rodgers in Week 3? Likely something in the middle of what we saw the first two weeks.
The Buccaneers have a good defense that can get after the quarterback, stop the run and defend against the pass. Rodgers has struggled against them in the regular season in his career, going 2-4, including the postseason. Two of those losses have come against Brady.
In his career, he has completed only 59.1 percent of his passes against the Buccaneers, throwing only eight touchdowns compared to nine interceptions. Things won’t get easier given the wide receiver group he is working with this season.
Rodgers will complete 62 percent of his passes for 260 yards. He will throw one touchdown, but will also toss two interceptions as the Buccaneers are going to make him work. Capable of shutting down the Packers’ run game, Tampa Bay will do their best to make the Packers’ offense one-dimensional, forcing Rodgers to make plays with a skill position group that he does not yet have confidence in getting the ball to.
This weekend’s matchup could shape up to be a defensive-minded game with both teams leaning on those units to get a win. But, being at home will give the Buccaneers the edge in what will be a low-scoring affair between Rodgers and Brady.
