Green Bay Packers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9/25/22): Odds, Predictions, Depth Chart

The 1-1 Green Bay Packers will travel to Tampa Bay this week to face-off against the 2-0 Buccaneers on Sunday at 4:25pm ET. With both teams coming off of dominant wins, this match-up could be one that highlights two stout defenses instead of two of the greatest quarterbacks of all time in Brady and Rodgers. Will this be the case? Or will we be treated to another historic quarterback battle? 

Green Bay Packers Vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Odds

The spread is currently even on this one and the money-line is a “pick em.” The over/under is set at 42.  

Green Bay Packers Vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Prediction

This is a tough-game to call and one that I think will be more defensive than anything else. Taking a look at Tampa Bay’s win over the New Orleans Saints last week, the game was much closer than the final score indicated (20-10). For the better part of three quarters, the Saints once again had Brady’s number. While Brady eventually pulled himself together with a deep ball to Breshad Perriman in the endzone, he still finished with just a 52% completion rating. Brady looked uncomfortable against the Saints’ defensive front and doesn’t have too much of an easier cushion in this upcoming Packers’ game. The fact that Mike Evans is also suspended for this game, doesn’t particularly help either.  

After the loss to the Vikings in week one in typical Packers style, the team came out running the ball down the throats of the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night football last week. Combining for 135 yards, Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon are dynamic enough to make you forget about Aaron Rodgers’ woes with his new receiver core. While Rodgers had a good-enough game, the Packers’ defense is the teams’ true identity and they lived up to their hype against the Bears, securing four sacks and one interception. 

This game is going to come down to the running backs and the defense. For as much as I’d like to see a great Rodgers-Brady showdown, the Packers’ receivers are just not there yet and Brady lacks his favorite targets from seasons’ past. Enter Leonard Fournette for the Bucs and the Jones-Dillon combo for the Packers. Pounding the rock early and often from both sides is going to shoot this total down, especially as they face defensive fronts that feature stars like Shaquill Barrett, Devin White, Preston Smith, and Rashan Gary. With star secondaries on both sides as well, don’t expect Brady and Rodgers to try and force anything to their receivers either. 

This is truly a toss-up but my money is going to the Packers in this one and the under. The Packers always show-out in regular-season match-ups such as these and Tom Brady barely slipped by the Saints’ defense last week. Facing another great defense and lacking his best remaining receiver, I expect the Packers to win this one by running the ball and avoiding costly turnovers. 

Prediction: Packers 13 | Buccaneers 10

Betting Trends

• -Packers are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games in September.
• -Buccaneers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. NFC.

Key Injuries

Green Bay Injuries:

– WR Christian Watson (Questionable)

– WR Sammy Watkins (Questionable)

– WR Randall Cobb (Questionable)

– WR Allen Lazard (Questionable)

Tampa Bay Injuries:

– WR Russell Gage (Questionable)

– RB Leonard Fournette (Questionable)

– C Robert Hainsey (Questionable)

– CB Carlton Davis III (Questionable)

– WR Mike Evans (SUSP)

Key Matchups

Will this Tampa defense be able to slow down this Green Bay rushing attack? How will this developing Bucs recieving corps fare against this Packers secondary? Check out the key matchups and mismatches for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs the Green Bay Packers below.

Packers’ Running Backs vs Tampa Bay Defense

After running wild against the Bears, Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon have far steeper competition this week in Tampa Bay’s defense. Allowing just 85.5 rushing yards per game, the Pro-Bowl filled Tampa defense has made teams pay for even trying to continuously pound the rock. That being said, Tampa hasn’t faced a two-headed snake like the Jones-Dillon connection so far this season. Because of how stout this defense is, I don’t expect these backs to put up huge numbers but I think a few break-out runs are in order in an effort to dodge Tampa’s talented secondary. 

Buccaneers Wide Outs vs Packers’ Secondary

While it doesn’t seem like Aaron Rodgers trusts his new receivers yet, Brady doesn’t even have that luxury with somewhat unfamiliar faces around him. Gone are the days of Godwin, Evans, and Gronk in this game as Brady faces a new reality that his main weapon in Breshad Perriman has to go up against one of the best cornerbacks in Jaire Alexander. It’s going to be a long day for the Bucs’ wide receivers group, so expect Lenny to run early and often in this one. 

Packers Depth Chart

QB: Aaron Rodgers
RB1: Aaron Jones
RB2: AJ Dillon
LWR: Sammy Watkins
RWR: Randall Cobb
SWR: Allen Lazard
TE1: Mercedes-Lewis

Buccaneers Team Depth Chart

QB: Tom Brady
RB1: Leonard-Fournette
RB2: Raachad White
LWR: Mike-Evans
RWR: Russell Gage
SWR: Chris Godwin
TE1: Cameron Brate