The Green Bay Packers haven’t started a season 1-2 since 2014. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are seeking their first 3-0 start in 17 years. One of those streaks will have to give when these two teams face each other in Week 3.
Naturally, most of the focus will be on Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. After all, it’s a meeting between two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks who have combined to win seven MVP awards. Sunday will mark the first game in NFL history in which both starting quarterbacks have at least three.
Even though most of the attention will be on the starting quarterbacks, it’s the defenses that could decide the outcome. Tampa Bay’s defense has looked dominant through the first two games, leading the league in sacks and points allowed. Green Bay’s defense has been solid so far, but leaning on them has more to do with the offense still trying to find its identity.
Not to mention, both teams are growing very thin at wide receiver. Mike Evans is serving a suspension, while Chris Godwin and Julio Jones are in jeopardy of missing their second straight game due to injuries. The Buccaneers could be without their top three guys, and for the Packers, four of their wide receivers were held out of Thursday’s practice. Head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Friday that all four are expected to be game-time decisions.
Could Brady vs. Rodgers really be a defensive battle? That would certainly favor Tampa Bay, but Green Bay does have two stud running backs that could carry them to victory. Let’s take a look at four key matchups to look forward to in this week’s game, starting with Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon going up against an extremely talented defense.