Packers 2017 schedule release: Five toughest games on the schedule

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Week 13

On the surface this is a surprising choice for one of Green Bay’s most difficult games. But there’s a strong chance the Buccaneers are one of the most improved teams in the NFL in 2017.

Last year Tampa Bay finished 9-7 under first-year head coach Dirk Koetter. That record was good for second place in the NFC South, only behind an Atlanta team that should have won a Super Bowl. Already last season, the Bucs showed they were better than both New Orleans and Carolina.

The most important piece of the puzzle for Tampa Bay’s next step will be quarterback Jameis Winston. In his second season in 2016, Winston threw for over 4,000 yards with 28 touchdowns and a 60 percent completion percentage. Another leap from Jameis in 2017 could propel the Bucs to double-digit wins.

Winston’s best weapon last year was 6-foot-5 Mike Evans. Due to his sheer size, Evans creates a mismatch against any corner the league has to offer. He finished with 96 catches for 1,321 yards and 12 touchdowns last year while averaging nearly 14 yards per reception.

Defensively, Tampa Bay finished 15th in the NFL in points allowed, which isn’t great but isn’t terrible either. With the step forward that’s reasonably expected on offense, a mid-tier defense should be enough to help the Buccaneers win games.

Matchup-wise, the Packers’ secondary has no answer for the combination of Winston and Evans. There’s not a single cornerback on Green Bay’s roster that has the size necessary to compete with Evans, and Winston should have an easy time hooking up with his favorite target.

Tampa Bay’s passing attack will do plenty of damage to the Packers’ secondary (which could likely become a common theme in 2017) and could lead the Buccaneers to a surprising win at Lambeau.