The Packers got the result they needed Sunday, but the film tells a far less comforting story. Green Bay’s 17-14 win came with plenty of help from Tampa Bay rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels, who was thrust into the starting role after an injury to Baker Mayfield and the absence of a veteran backup. Once Daniels was on the field, the Packers took advantage of the situation, with Edgerrin Cooper and Evan Williams both coming up with interceptions.
Daniels also held the ball longer than he should have at times, and that gave Green Bay openings to get to him for a trio of sacks. Those plays helped keep Tampa Bay behind the chains and gave the Packers a chance to steady themselves after a shaky stretch.
That part matters, because the win does count. Green Bay evened its record and kept its season from sliding further off track. But the bigger truth is hard to ignore: this was the kind of game the Packers likely lose against a more seasoned quarterback.
Tampa Bay kept putting itself in position to seize control, only for Daniels’ inexperience to swing things back in Green Bay’s favor. The Packers did not exactly deliver a clean defensive masterclass, and this was not a performance that should leave defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon feeling satisfied. It was more a case of Tampa’s rookie giving Green Bay repeated chances to escape.
On the other side, the Packers’ offense still couldn’t close the door. Even with the defense handing it chances, Green Bay stalled when it needed one final play to put the game away. That leaves the team with a win, but also with plenty for the coaching staff to examine before an important divisional matchup next week.
The next test comes against the Chicago Bears, and the Packers know this level of play won’t be enough there, even if Caleb Williams remains out of the lineup. Sunday was a steadier result than the scoreboard might have suggested, but it also worked as a reminder that Green Bay still has a lot of work ahead if it wants to turn the 2026 season around.
In Other News...
Packers Fans May Need To Reassess MarShawn Lloyd Fast
MarShawn Lloyd has gotten a real look in Green Bay this season, and for stretches he has flashed the kind of versatility that made him an intriguing part of the backfield plan. He has appeared in multiple games, helped as a pass-catcher with nine receptions and a touchdown, and even earned more playing time as injuries and ball-security issues opened the door around him.
The challenge for Lloyd is what has happened when the ball has been in his hands as a runner. His 2.7 yards per carry is the lowest among the Packers running backs, and two recent fumbles have only sharpened the scrutiny. For a team trying to sort out its backfield hierarchy, that leaves Lloyd in a spot where the upside is still visible, but the margin for error feels awfully thin. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Still Searching For Depth At One Spot Fans Are Watching
The Packers kept working the edges of the roster this week with a set of tryouts that underscored how much the front office is still scanning for help. Green Bay looked at linebackers Deion Jones and Chris Paul, along with cornerbacks Cobee Bryant and Dwight McGlothern, in another reminder that the post-cutdown period is as much about staying ready as it is about finding a surprise fit.
With a full 53-man roster and practice squad already in place, any move would require Green Bay to clear space somewhere else, which is why these workouts matter even if nothing follows immediately. The team has been active with visits and tryouts since the deadline passed, and the pattern suggests the Packers are keeping a close eye on a few areas while leaving the door open for a roster shuffle if the right player becomes available. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Suddenly Have One Big Linebacker Decision To Make
Edgerrin Coopers season-ending Achilles injury left the Packers with an immediate opening in the middle of their defense, and it comes at a time when Green Bay has to decide whether to trust what it already has or look outside the building for help. The internal route would keep the answer simple, but the injury also exposes how much the defense was relying on Coopers presence in that spot.
One name worth watching is Matt Milano, a free agent with prior ties to the Packers coaching staff and the kind of background that fits the role Green Bay suddenly needs filled. His recent production has dipped some, but he still brings experience as both a pass rusher and a run defender, which is why he could surface as a real option if the Packers decide they need a more proven solution. [Read more 🡒]