For the first four games of 2020, the Green Bay Packers made playing offense look easy, using a combination of elite play from both the offensive line and the quarterback and well-executed plans from the playcaller to create the NFL’s highest-scoring team.
All that came crashing down on Sunday in Tampa Bay.
The Packers started fast but fell apart during a brutal beatdown at the hands of the Buccaneers.
Todd Bowles’ fast and disruptive defense created four sacks and two interceptions of Aaron Rodgers, including a game-changing pick-six in the second quarter. Rodgers finished with only 16 completions and 160 passing yards, and the Packers only rushed for 94 yards, including just 15 yards on 10 carries from Aaron Jones.
Overall, Matt LaFleur’s offense averaged 3.3 yards per play and 2.7 yards per passing attempt and went three-and-out five times. Rodgers’ interceptions were the team’s first two turnovers of the season.
The Packers’ pass protection really struggled. Rodgers was hit 12 times and under pressure on most of his dropbacks. Sacked only three times the first four games, Rodgers took four sacks – resulting in 42 lost yards – on Sunday.
During the Packers’ 4-0 start, the pass protection was nearly perfect and Rodgers often had open receivers to throw to on time and in rhythm. The perfect quarterback conditions weren’t available on Sunday in Tampa Bay, and suddenly everything looked difficult for Rodgers and the Packers.
Credit the Buccaneers, who were dominant against the run and swarming in the passing game. Linebackers Devin White and Lavonte David ran free and disrupted everything, while the Bucs front – even after losing Vita Vea – consistently collapsed the pocket around Rodgers. Tampa Bay had six pass breakups and six tackles for losses.
| Packers offense | First four games | Sunday in TB |
| Points | 38.0 | 10 |
| Yards/play | 6.8 | 3.3 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Yards/attempt | 8.7 | 2.7 |
| Comp. % | 70.5 | 45.7 |
| Rushing yards | 150.8 | 94 |
| Sacks allowed | 3 | 4 |
| Punts | 7 | 7 |
| Three-and-outs | 1 | 5 |
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