NFL Week 4: Green Bay Packers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

West Coast offense vs. Tampa-2 defense headline NFC battle

Packers vs. Buccaneers Overview:

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers won their divisions in 2007 and were both favorites to do so again in 2008. The Green Bay Packers are the class of their division right now while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are fighting in the more competitive NFC South. Each team has a 2-1 record with the Green Bay Packers coming off a loss to the Dallas Cowboys while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are fresh off a close victory against the Chicago Bears.

Green Bay Packers Offense:

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been great since taking the reigns from Brett Favre and seems to be responding well to the spotlight. Even against the elite Dallas Cowboys defense the accurate Aaron Rodgers has yet to throw a pick. With great receivers in Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, and Donald Driver as targets, the West Coast offense of the Green Bay Packers is a well-oiled scoring machine. RB Ryan Grant has had a hard time getting on track so far in the season and the Green Bay Packers have had a tough time establishing the running game.

Green Bay Packers Defense:

The ability to get a great pass rush is the basis for the Green Bay Packers defense. DEs Aaron Kampman and Cullen Jenkins have combined for 6.5 sacks already and are great bookends. OLB A.J. Hawk is the leader of the Green Bay Packers defense and can do everything he is called upon to do. CB Charles Woodson is the best press-cover corner in the NFL and shut down Terrell Owens. Injuries to safeties Atari Bigby and Nick Collis and the unsure health of CB Al Harris leave the powerful Green Bay Packers secondary hobbled and unsteady.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offense:

Quarterback Brian Griese has been given the starting job and led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a stunning overtime win over the Chicago Bears. WR Antonio Bryant is another player on the comeback trail as he joins WR Ike Hilliard as reliable targets for Brian Griese. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive line is playing great against the pass but has struggled with the running game. RBs Warrick Dunn and Ernest Graham have been good but both turned in poor performances against the Chicago Bears.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defense:

The 4-3 Tampa-2 defense is still working great and is shutting down opponents. DE Gaines Adams is the leader of the athletic front four of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is an elite pass rusher. DE Greg White is another pass rushing specialist and has a good sack total. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebackers are lean and mean and are led by the future Hall of Fame player OLB Derrick Brooks. The return of first-round pick CB Aqib Talib from injury will bolster the stingy Tampa Bay Buccaneers pass defense along with CBs Ronde Barber and Phillip Buchanon.

Green Bay Packers Keys to Victory:

Protecting Aaron Rodgers from Gaines Adams and the rest of the speedy Tampa Bay Buccaneers defenders will be the top priority of the Green Bay Packers offense. Ideally establishing the run would be the best way, but the running game has struggled. Look for the Green Bay Packers to switch to a shorter drop and for Aaron Rodgers to release the ball quicker. The Green Bay Packers receivers are physically superior to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive backs, but the Tampa-2 scheme will make up the difference.

The Green Bay Packers defense was run over by the Dallas Cowboys so they should adjust to stop the Tampa Bay Buccaneers running game. The Green Bay Packers defense excels at rushing the passer, and the duo of Aaron Kampman and Cullen Jenkins will be a huge problem for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive line. To protect the injured secondary, the pass rush of the Green Bay Packers will have to be on fire. OLB A.J. Hawk will be asked to blitz more to help out.

Buccaneers Keys to Victory:

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers would like to get the running game going again in order to relieve the devastating Green Bay Packers pass rush. The interior of the Green Bay Packers defensive line is weak and should be a target for the run game. If Brian Griese can be given time to throw, then he should have a chance to attack the injured secondary of the Green Bay Packers. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive line did a great job of protecting Brian Griese from the Chicago Bears and hopes to repeat this feat against the Green Bay Packers.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers secondary must stay true to their Tampa-2 zones to manage the many weapons of the Green Bay Packers. Gaines Adams needs to have a big game to get pressure on Aaron Rodgers in an effort to force turnovers. OLB Derrick Brooks is not getting any younger but will have to be a big threat in the blitzing game. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have high hopes for rookie CB Aqib Talib, and he should be a factor in taking away some of Aaron Rodgers’ weapons.

Packers vs. Buccaneers Outlook:

The NFC has become the top conference in the NFL, and every game is a battle for homefield advantage in the playoffs. Neither of these teams can afford to go 2-2 and both coaches are well aware of this. The West Coast offense and Tampa-2 defense have gone against each other numerous times, and there has never been a clear winner. Both the Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are deep and talented teams mixed with youth and experience.

Aaron Rodgers will be the difference maker in this NFL week 4 match up. The Green Bay Packers quarterback has yet to throw an interception and did not give away the ball against the super talent of the Dallas Cowboys secondary. If the Green Bay Packers can keep Aaron Rodgers comfortable in the pocket, then they will win this game. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a great team, but their talent at quarterback lags well behind the Green Bay Packers, and that is always key in tight games.