Defenseless.
The Green Bay Packers faced a must-win game against Tampa Bay on Sunday.
Instead, the Buccaneers ripped the Packers’ defense, scored their second-most points of the year and thrashed host Green Bay, 34-20.
Tampa Bay improved to 7-7 and retained its lead in the NFC South. The Packers dropped to 6-8 and lost their grasp on the seventh and final postseason seed for the time being.
Here are the highlights from the Packers’ loss to the Buccaneers:
THE GOOD
DONTAYVION WICKS: The Packers’ rookie fifth-round draft pick is improving by the week.
Wicks tied for the team lead in receptions (six) and had a team-high 97 yards receiving. Wicks’ performance was made even more astounding by the fact that he had been dealing with an ankle issue all week and was iffy to participate.
The Denver Broncos’ flaws were exposed in a humiliating loss to the Detroit Lions.
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The Packers have brought in Aaron Jones in place of Watson, Alexander, and Dillon.
“He’s made a lot of big plays for us this year, and he’s a guy that we’re really excited about,” said Packers coach Matt LaFleur of Wicks. “I believe the sky is the limit for him.” I truly believe it. I believe he has a very high ceiling. I know he enjoys football.”
KINGSLEY ENAGBARE: Green Bay’s second-year outside linebacker produced one of the game’s most important plays.
Enagbare sacked Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield late in the first quarter. Enagbare recovered a fumble at the Buccaneers’ 4-yard line after forcing it.
Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love delivered a 5-yard touchdown throw to Tucker Kraft two plays later.
TUCKER KRAFT: Green Bay’s rookie tight end had only seven receptions entering December. This month alone, Kraft has 11 catches.
Kraft shredded Tampa Bay’s defense for four receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown.
Kraft has taken advantage of extra playing time as a result of Luke Musgrave’s injury. Kraft has shown not only the ability to separate in the passing game, but also remarkable athleticism in the open field.
WELCOME BACK: The return of running back Aaron Jones and cornerback Eric Stokes boosted Green Bay’s chances.
Jones was active for the first time in four weeks after suffering a knee injury against the Los Angeles Chargers on Nov. 19.
Jones’ eighth season has been a disappointing one, with only seven games played. Jones has ran for 245 yards, averaging a career-low 3.7 yards per carry, and scoring three times.
“We have always had input on what’s going on with our bodies,” Jones said on Friday. “I’ve always wanted to be out there, but they’re only interested in the best of us.”
“They’re going to save us from ourselves, even if we don’t want to be saved.” I admire them for it. “I think that’s knowing your personnel because you have guys who are diametrically opposed to each other and then guys you literally (have to) pull off the field,” he says.
Last year, Stokes, Green Bay’s first-round pick in 2021, suffered a Lisfranc injury that necessitated season-ending surgery. Stokes labored through rehab and hamstring injuries during training camp, then re-injured his hamstring after only four snaps in Denver in Week 6.
Stokes returned to the Packers’ lineup on Sunday, when both cornerback Jaire Alexander (shoulder) and safety Darnell Savage (shoulder) were out.
“This comeback, it’s been hell,” Stokes admitted. “It’s been a living misery. Everything has had highs and lows. But that’s simply life. You must be blessed each and every morning. Everything else, on the other hand, has been excellent.”
THIS AND THAT: Kenny Clark’s first-quarter sack was his 32nd of the season, moving him into eighth place in team history. Clark later added another sack, bringing his career total to 33. Aaron Jones’ first carry resulted in a 20-yard run, his longest of the season. Outside linebacker Lucas Van Ness and defensive end Devonte Wyatt each had sacks in addition to Clark’s two.
THE BAD
BAKER GOES WILD: Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield has struggled at Lambeau Field in recent years.
When he was with Cleveland two years ago, he threw four interceptions. Mayfield scored 12 points to lead the Los Angeles Rams.
Sunday in Mayfield was different.
Mayfield finished with 381 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions on 22-of-28 passing. This contributed to Mayfield’s perfect passer rating of 158.3.
In the first half, Mayfield completed 12-of-14 throws for 187 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions while posting a 142.6 passer rating. In the second half, he was even better, driving Tampa Bay to touchdowns on all three of its possessions.
“Baker always brings the energy, brings the leadership, no matter what team he was,” Stokes went on to say. “Leadership, Cleveland.” Leadership, Rams. Buccaneers, take command. That’s all he has.
“He can bring the energy, the juice, and the firepower.” Baker is remembered as the motivator, head-hunter, and dog all the way back to his Oklahoma days. That was always him.”
CHRIS GODWIN: The Packers were helpless against the Buccaneers’ seventh-year wideout.
Godwin caught 10 catches for 155 yards, both of which were season highs. Godwin had seven receptions for 108 yards and a long of 25 yards in the first half alone.
THIS AND THAT: Late in the first half, Green Bay drove to Tampa Bay’s 49-yard line. However, a crucial delay of game penalty contributed to the drive’s demise. Tampa Bay led the first half by 211 yards to 146 yards, including a 167-104 advantage in passing yards. On their first drive of the second half, the Packers faced a third-and-7 situation. As Love’s pass went high, wideouts Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks ended up in the same location, indicating a communication breakdown. Tampa Bay converted 7 of 11 third-down opportunities.
THE UGLY
DEFENSE-LESS: This week’s Fire Joe Barry crowd will be louder than usual.
Barry, the Packers’ defensive coordinator, witnessed his unit dismantled from beginning to end.
Tampa Bay amassed 452 total yards and averaged an absurd 7.5 yards per play.
Baker Mayfield had one of his best days as a quarterback, with four touchdown passes and a perfect passer rating of 158.3. Chris Godwin, the wideout, with ten catches.
Rasheed White had 89 rushing yards and a 26-yard touchdown reception. David Moore, Mike Evans, and Ko Kieft also scored touchdown receptions.
Barry’s defense delivered a humiliating performance in every way, shape, and form. And Barry’s seat heated up to scorching.
