Three Lessons from the Packers’ Week 15 Loss to the Bucs

The Green Bay Packers’ hopes of making the playoffs were severely damaged by their 34-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

Green Bay was on a three-game winning streak and among the NFC’s hottest teams a week ago. It had defeated the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs, two teams deserving of a spot in the playoffs, and reached.500 for the season.

Then, on Monday, Green Bay humiliated the New York Giants. The Packers failed to win a game at Lambeau Field on Sunday and had difficulty maintaining a close margin in the second half.

The Packers, who are at 6-8, are in danger of losing their spot in the wild card, and their performance against Tampa made it clear that they are not a playoff team. Here’s what else we discovered throughout the

As the Packers are behind by two touchdowns, we must begin with a major negative. Over the last two weeks, Green Bay’s defense—which has been inconsistent throughout the season—has been dreadful.

The defense gave up over 200 rushing yards to the Giants, and late in regulation Tommy DeVito orchestrated an incredible field goal drive to give the team the lead. The defense was weak against the Buccaneers in almost every department.

While forcing 99 running yards from its 29th-ranked rushing offense, Tampa Bay amassed 452 total yards. Baker Mayfield, the quarterback, completed 22 of 28 passes for 381 yards and four touchdowns.

Although there are some exceptional players on Green Bay’s defense, such as Rashan Gary and Jaire Alexander, the defense hasn’t performed well as a whole. We’ve

Can a loss provide the Packers with any advantages? Indeed, and they ought to. Despite the defense’s failure to stop the Buccaneers, quarterback Jordan Love continued to play well for the Packers.

In the end, Love completed 29 of 39 passes for 284 yards, two touchdowns, and a 111.5 passer rating. Love also made a number of crucial passes to keep Green Bay in the game early.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, “The Packers offense is either absolute dimes from Jordan Love or plays where they look like they have never lined up before.”

Love was forced to carry the weight because the Packers were unable to run the ball consistently against Tampa because to AJ Dillon’s injury (thumb). Love performed admirably even though he lost a fumble on a late fourth-down sack.

The development of rookie pass-catchers like Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks is another reason Green Bay should be pleased with its offensive strategy.

During the 2023 draft, general manager Brian Gutekunst tossed a few literal darts at the offense, landing tight ends Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft, Reed, and Wicks.

Although Musgrave is currently recuperating from a kidney laceration that occurred in November, Reed, Wicks, and Kraft were all heavily involved on Sunday. Wicks grabbed six passes for 97 yards, while Reed caught six for 52 yards and a touchdown. Kraft contributed four catches for 57 yards and one touchdown.

Romeo Doubs, a second-year receiver, and the rookies might provide Green Bay with one of the most interesting young receiving corps.