The Packers finally found themselves in the week 4 win against the Buccaneers, 17-24.
The Packers looked good in the beginning of the game. On the Falcons second drive the Packers defense forced a turnover when Jalon Daniels’ pass was intercepted at the Packers own 32-yard-line by Evan Williams. In the post game interview head coach, Matt LaFleur talked about the impact Williams had on this game.
“I think he did a great job, whether it’s on the back end, obviously he had the pick. And then you blitz him off the edge and he’s getting pressure on the quarterback,” LaFleur said about Williams. “He’s a very intelligent football player…does stuff that you can’t coach. So I think he does a great job.”
This interception by Williams set up the Packers to score on the next drive with a 2-yard-pass to Matthew Golden in the second quarter. Golden has been impressing a lot of people with the number he has been putting up this year compared to last year. LaFleur spoke to the media on Friday about Golden and how good he has been doing.
“I think he’s been playing really good football,” LaFleur said on Friday to the press. “I think he does a great job separating… I think he’s done a good job.”
A few drives later the Buccaneers responded with a touchdown of their own with a 2-yard-run by Sean Tucker tying the game up at 7-7.
Right before the half concluded the Packers were able to get a 58-yard-field goal from rookie Trey Smack after being set up by an interception by Edgerrin Cooper making it 10-7. The team seems more at ease now that they have a reliable kicker.
“It definitely lets you rest easy at night knowing you have Trey Smack back there,” said Cam Anchord, Packers special teams coordinator.
After half-time the Packers started off well going 80 yards in eight plays ending in a Tucker Kraft touchdown pass making it 17-7. This drive was set up with a 31-yard-run by Kaleb Johnson.
The running game has definitely improved this week and it has a lot to do with the offensive line. Jordan Love, Packers quarterback, was definitely appreciative of the offensive line during the game when comparing his 30 hits in three games to the only two hits in the week 4 match up.
“I think the O-line did great today,” Love said to the media after the game. “Pass protection, run game…keeping me clean, giving me some time…you can feel the difference back there for sure.”
Love was also complimented by the Buccaneers head coach, Todd Bowles, when it came to having a hard time getting after the quarterback.
“Ball was coming out in less than 2.4 seconds which he’s very good at,” Todd told the media. “The best starter in the league at getting the ball out, so we tried to concentrate on coverage even though guys were trying to rush the pass.”
The next drive Packer linebacker Edgerrin Cooper was injured during a play and had to get carted off the field. This is another devastating injury for the Packers as Cooper was looking really good this year. Evan Williams, another Packers playmaker on the defensive side of the ball, talked about the loss of Cooper after the game.
“It sucks to lose a guy like that, that's such a tone setter for this team,” Williams said. “At the same time it’s the next man up and we’ve got to keep this thing rolling.”
The Packers definitely felt the loss of Cooper during the game when in the beginning of the fourth quarter the Buccaneers scored a touchdown that was set up by a few runs from second string rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels making it 17-14.
The starting quarterback for the Buccaneers, Baker Mayfield, dislocated his right thumb (his throwing hand) late in the fourth quarter of their loss against the Vikings last week. This meant the Bucs rookie Jalon Daniels would have to step up and start for the Buccaneers.
Getting ready for this game the defensive coordinator, Jonathan Gannon, talks about Daniels and how they planned to combat the new rookie quarterback.
“Obviously, kinda, a little bit of an unknown,” Gannon said. “But he played in preseason, looked at some college tape. But they have a really good offensive.”
The next drive the Packers went 65-yards and were at the Buccaneers 3-yard-line when Kaleb Johnson fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Tampa Bay. Matt LaFleur discussed the fumble problems they have been having this season to the media after the game.
“We put the ball on the ground way too much, and this stuff's got to get fixed and it's got to get fixed now,” LaFleur said. “I think a great teacher is the bench. So if guys don't start holding on to the ball, they’re going to be sitting on the bench.”
Overall the Packers still have a lot to work on going into week 5 against their rivals the Chicago Bears. Even though the Bears are playing without quarterback Caleb Williams they are still projected to win over the Packers. We will see how it turns out 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.
