Packers fall to the Buccaneers 38-28

The Packers fall to the Buccaneers 38-28 to snap the Bucs 11 game losing streak.  Tampa Bay hadn’t won a game since week 13 of 2008 and gave rookie coach Raheem Morris his first career victory.  To me, this loss is worse than both of the Vikings defeats.  At least with the Vikings you can clearly see the better team.  In the NFL, anyone can beat anyone at any time.  The Buccaneers are a team that has played poorly this season, but coming off the bye week they cleaned things up.  The Bucs made more plays than the Packers in this matchup.  Ronde Barber returns a blocked punt 31 yards to the house, Clifton Smith has an 83 yard kickoff return and the Bucs defense forced 3 interceptions from Aaron Rodgers. Tanard Jackson took the third pick to the house from 35 yards out.  The Packers special teams aren’t special and I don’t want to see Tramon Williams in a return role.  Williams has had some success in coverage, but he doesn’t run forwards.  I felt like I was watching someone play Dance Dance Revolution.  Rookie quarterback Josh Freeman made some mistakes like sliding short of the 1st down marker early in the game, but made some good throws against the Packers.  Freeman completed 14 of 31 for 205 yards and 3 touchdowns with a pick by Nick Collins.  Kellen Winslow led the Bucs with 4 catches for 57 yards and a score.  The Packers held the Bucs rushing attack in check allowing 81 yards.

Aaron Rodgers completed 17 of 35 for 266 yards 2 TD’s and 3 picks.  Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher returned to the starting lineup, however Tauscher left and didn’t return with a left leg injury.  Tauscher was seen on the sidelines with an ice pack around his left knee.  Staring center Jason Spitz was placed on injured reserve with a back injury.  The offensive line is the main problem area on the team for a number of reasons.  The o-line hasn’t been able to establish continuity because of ineffective play and injuries.  Aaron Rodgers has been hit regularly this season due to a lack of protection and because he’s holds onto the ball a little too long.  Rodgers played poorly, but isn’t the main reason the Packers lost.  Rodgers is in a tough spot because he’s the face of a franchise that’s going backwards.  He’s a good quarterback, but needs some help on the field and on the sidelines.  Ryan Grant ran for 96 yards and a touchdown, while Ahman Green’s 45 yards put him past Jim Taylor as the all-time leading rusher in Packers history.  James Jones caught 4 balls for 103 yards including a 74 yard score.  Donald Driver and Greg Jennings combined for 9 catches and 132 yards. 

A.J. Hawk had 6 tackles and a sack but an illegal contact penalty wiped away an interception.  I didn’t think the play merited a penalty.  Nick Collins had 3 tackles and a pick against the Bucs.  The selling point of this 3-4 defense was all the pressure it could generate.  I have not seen the benefits of the 3-4 and have no idea what defensive coordinator Dom Capers is doing at this point.  Aaron Kampman should never, ever be dropping in coverage.  Any time I saw him in coverage I’d throw in that area.  Regardless of the type of football you’re playing,  electric football and  tecmo bowl apply, you must pressure the quarterback.  I don’t know why week in and week out the Packers don’t apply pressure.  Freeman is making his first NFL start and you don’t come after him?  Freeman doesn’t strike me as the most mobile signal caller I’ve ever seen either.  I would have liked to see him forced to get out of the pocket.  Al Harris was able to play more press coverage this week, but the game plans each week are becoming more confusing.  Dom Capers prevent type defense is preventing the Packers from winning games.  I usually put blame on the players in losses, but this one is another nail in the coffin for this coaching staff.

Next week, the 4-4 Packers host the Cowboys in a late Sunday matchup.  The Cowboys take on Philadelphia in the Sunday night matchup.    On a side note I own 2 electric football tables.  I have the Bears-Patriots Super Bowl and the Chiefs-Vikings Super Bowl table.  I picked up the Chiefs-Vikings table at a garage sale for 2 dollars.  That’s the best 2 bucks I’ve ever spent.

Tags: Buccaneers, Packers