The Buccaneers enter Week 4 with their season already teetering, and Sunday’s matchup with the Packers has the feel of a must-win in every sense. Tampa Bay is staring at an 0-3 start, and another loss would leave them in a hole that almost no team has ever climbed out of. Only one team has ever reached the playoffs after starting 0-4, so the margin for error is basically gone.
If the Bucs are going to stop the slide, they’ll need some difference-makers to show up in a big way. Three players stand out as the keys to what Tampa Bay is trying to do against Green Bay.
Jalon Daniels is set to make his NFL debut, and the rookie could give this offense a jolt it desperately needs. Tampa Bay has been stuck offensively, but Daniels brings a new element with his legs.
He showed that burst in the preseason, rushing for 37 yards and a touchdown, and that athleticism should be part of the plan right away. Expect him to find the end zone on the ground for his first regular season NFL touchdown and help kick-start the Buccaneers’ attack.
On defense, David Walker has been trending the right way. He’s coming off sacks in back-to-back games, and with Rueben Bain Jr. ruled OUT because of a groin injury and a lingering shoulder issue, Walker should see even more chances to rush the passer.
Todd Bowles said earlier this week that Walker has "definitely" earned more playing time, and the pass rusher should cash in. He’ll extend his sack streak to three straight games and bring Jordan Love down twice.
The Bucs are also due for a game-changing play from Antoine Winfield Jr. Green Bay’s Jordan Love has not been sharp to start the year, completing just 52% of his passes, which ranks 31st in the NFL ahead of only former Bucs QB Jameis Winston.
Love has also thrown an interception in two of three games, and his aggressive style has opened the door for mistakes. That should create an opportunity for Tampa Bay’s defense, and Winfield is poised to make his first interception of the season while giving the Bucs the kind of splash play they’ve been waiting for.
In Other News...
Buccaneers Suddenly Face A Bigger Baker Mayfield Problem Than Expected
Baker Mayfields thumb injury has turned into a much bigger issue for the Buccaneers than a short-term scare. The veteran quarterback suffered a dislocated thumb and is expected to miss multiple games, with his return hinging on how quickly he regains grip strength. For Tampa Bay, the timing is especially tricky because Mayfield had been in the middle of another season as the teams starter after appearing in three games so far.
The immediate answer is rookie Jalon Daniels, who has been named the backup and will start while Mayfield is out. It puts an abrupt spotlight on Tampa Bays quarterback depth and raises the stakes around how the offense functions without the player the Buccaneers signed to a multi-year deal. The bigger question now is not just who starts next, but how long the team has to live without Mayfield and what kind of shape he is in when he finally returns. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Fan Goes Viral For A Gameday Moment Bucs Fans Pounced On
A gameday photo from the Packers-Buccaneers matchup quickly took on a life of its own, with a Green Bay fan in a cheese-themed outfit drawing plenty of attention on social media. Buccaneers fans, already tuned into a rough start for their own team, jumped on the image and helped turn a random moment from the stands into one of the evenings louder online talking points.
It fit the mood around Tampa Bay, where the Bucs came in at 0-3 and were turning to undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels at quarterback because of Baker Mayfields injury. Green Bay arrived at 1-2, but the game was about more than the records for Tampa Bay supporters, who had little patience to spare and plenty of time to notice, and react to, anything that stood out. [Read more 🡒]
Todd Bowles Just Became The Center Of Tampa Bay's Biggest Debate
The Buccaneers slow start has pushed Todd Bowles into the middle of a conversation nobody in Tampa Bay wanted to have this early. At 0-4, with a 3-12 record stretching back to last season, the losses are piling up fast enough to turn every miscue into a referendum on direction, execution and leadership. Bowles stepped to the podium after the latest setback and owned the mess, taking responsibility while insisting he still believes he can guide the team out of it.
Bowles has handled the public side of the slump the way a veteran coach usually does, but the frustration around the team is only growing because so many of the defeats have stayed within reach. Close games tend to sharpen the focus on the head coach, and if the Buccaneers keep coming up short in those spots, the accountability debate will only get louder. For now, Bowles is asking for patience, even as the results make that a harder sell by the week. [Read more 🡒]