3 things Packers must do to bounce back vs. Buccaneers in Week 15
By Joe Tuman
Following a crucial upset win over the Kansas City Chiefs, the Green Bay Packers had momentum on their side in the NFC playoff picture. Of course, following a Monday Night Football loss to Tommy DeVito and the New York Giants, that momentum has now faltered.
Sitting at 6-7, Green Bay now resides in the middle of a bloated wild-card race. Though the team currently stands as the conference's No. 7 seed, it's no guarantee it will earn a postseason berth.
The Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers each hold a 6-7 record, meaning the Packers will have ample competition down the stretch.
Set to host NFC South-leading Tampa Bay this week, a win would do wonders for Matt LaFleur's group. Should they earn the W, the Packers would hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over Tampa Bay, New Orleans, and Los Angeles.
However, beating Baker Mayfield and company won't be a walk in the park. In order to gain a leg up in the standings, here are three things the Packers must do come Sunday.
Stop the run
Yes, you read that right. The Packers will need to count on their run defense to defeat the Buccaneers.
Slowing down opponents on the ground has long been an issue for Green Bay, and this season is no different. Barry's unit has allowed the second-most rushing yards per game in 2023.
That mark hardly inspires confidence but, luckily for the Packers, their latest opponent doesn't rely on running the ball.
After slotting dead last in rushing yards per game last season, the Buccaneers are currently No. 29 in that category. Though Rachaad White has strung together some strong recent showings, the reality remains that the NFC South leaders have been one of the worst running teams over the past year.
Oftentimes it seems the Packers' defensive struggles stem from schematic issues that overshadow the roster's talent. For Green Bay to defeat its former division rival, the talent will have to overcome its limitations against the Tampa Bay backfield.