Defense wins championships. A long used axiom in the NFL that proved true again on Sunday in Tampa as the Packer defense did just enough to turn away the Buccaneers’ final two point conversion in the final minute of the fourth quarter, preserving the Packers 14-12 victory Sunday afternoon.
The Tampa Bay defense was getting all the hype pregame. Leading the league in multiple statistics, including touchdowns allowed. Against the best defense in the NFL, you want to bring all your playmakers. The Packers were down two wide receivers (Watkins and Watson) and early in this game lost Jaire Alexander to a groin injury. When you factor in Tom Brady, the weather, and the recent Aaron Rodgers history with the Tampa Defense, you could understand how Packer fans might be lacking confidence.

To win this game, Packer rookie Romeo Doubs would have to come up big. How do eight receptions on eight targets for 73 yards and a touchdown rank for rookie wideout games? Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Devante Adams and James Jones never had an eight catch game as a rookie. Only Jordy Nelson and Jennings had games where they caught every targeted throw as a rookie, with Nelson having the high catch number of five. In a clutch situation against what was touted pregame as the best defense in the league, Doubs had a historic rookie performance for the Packers. And they needed every catch. The Green and Gold also were rewarded by the gutsy performance of Allen Lazard. Nursing a bad ankle all week had to impact his conditioning. Lazard was solid in the blocking game, laying out Carlton Davis III to Davis’ chagrin, and also made 4 clutch catches including a touchdown. After the touchdown, Lazard was caught vomiting on the sideline in the first half. He never missed a snap, trotting out for the next possession. A couple of nit-picky penalties while blocking were the only down moments for the gutty WR room leader.
But this win must be credited to the defense. Holding Tom Brady and the Bucs offense to twelve points, capped off by De’Vondre Campbell’s deflection of Brady’s last second two point conversion would be enough for that honor. But the defense came up big all day. The Packers have had trouble righting the ship once the momentum turns against them. In the NFC championship game, Mercedes’ Lewis’ fumble took the wind out the Packer’s sails. In Tampa, Aaron’s Jones fumble at the goal line could have been that game turner. Jone’s fumble literally ended the success for the offense. Rodgers and company could not find the magic that propelled them to 14 early points on two long drives converting 5 third downs on 22 combined plays. But the defense continued to rise to the occasion. Quay Walker still has a lot to learn but on Sunday he earned his paycheck when he punched the ball away from Breshad Perriman. That fumble erased a promising drive by Tampa and kept the lead at eleven points going into the half.

The second half turned into a defensive battle. The Packers forced the first second half turnover, a nice forced fumble by Keisean Nixon that was recovered by Jarran Reed. Nixon had an impressive game, stepping in for Alexander totaling seven tackles to go along with the turnover. Unfortunately, the Packers went three and out in the next series. Both offenses struggled to score as second half defensive adjustments were effective. The Packers gave the Bucs their best opportunity when Rodgers was picked off, but again the defense rose to the occasion, holding Tampa to a field goal. Four more times the Packers would posses the football and four more times they would punt, asking the defense to hold the line. Three times the defense answered the call but in the heat, as the last drive by Brady gained momentum, the defense seemed to wither. The one factor in the Packers favor was the home team needed 8 points to tie, not seven, and that proved the difference. That, and a HUGE penalty by Tampa’s center not getting the play off before the clock expired, backing Brady back to the seven yard line. That break gave the defense enough room and enough hope to pull out a thrilling victory against one of the all-time great quarterbacks. Rodgers statistically outplayed Brady (103.9 rating; (27-35/255yrds/2TD’s- 98.4 rating; 31-42/271 yards/1 TD) and got his second win in five games against his rival. While these stat comparisons are often debated, in the end, every Sunday, it’s about winning. The Packers made sure their plane ride home will be a happy one. And the defense should now be in the conversation when pundits discuss good NFL defenses. And David Bakhtiari played on multiple drives which hopefully bodes well for his and the Packer’s 2022 future. Let’s hope this defensive swagger continues in New England.
The D looks like we might have something here. But all I here in my head is Greg Olson saying: the defense stopped them all game and why are they going into a prevent and playing “soft” with coverage? Seems like all it prevents is us stopping them from scoring.
You wonder had the Bucs jumped out to a 14-3 lead with a defensive battle in the second half. Would Rodgers have been able to rally the troops? It seems doubtful. Yet it was Tom Brady’s game at the end to win or lose. Fortunately the defense came up big. And this is what Gutekunst had in mind when he spent all those resources on defense. Let that side of the ball do the heavy lifting and take the pressure off Rodgers. Romeo Doubs is an emerging playmaker. He’ll only get better. Hopefully he can stay healthy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArSLNJNUEIM
“You wonder had the Bucs jumped out to a 14-3 lead with a defensive battle in the second half. Would Rodgers have been able to rally the troops? It seems doubtful. Yet it was Tom Brady’s game at the end to win or lose. Fortunately the defense came up big. ”
.
LOL. Rally the troops… What the fuck is that even supposed to mean? Tampa got to the goal line, down by 8, and couldn’t tie the game. That is the EXACT SAME SITUATION from two years ago. The Packers got to the goal line, down by 8, and couldn’t tie the game. But instead of going for it they kicked a 3 point field goal and gave the game away.
.
Tampa loses, so “tOm bRaDy RaLLiEd tHe tRoOpS” and lost to a “champinoship defense” that was put together by “mastermind” Brian Gutekunst in an attempt to get over the the dead weight of this team that is Aaron Rodgers. The Packers lose, and Rodgers is an arrogant diva who will “nEvEr bE tOm bRaDy,” with absolutely no mention of the other teams defense. You are such a fucking troll.
.
Who made more plays? Who won the game? Rodgers.
“bUT bRaDy RaLLiEd tHe tRoOpS!”
.
Who had more touchdown passes? Rodgers
“ tHOsE aRe jUsT sTaTs tHaT mEaN nOtHiNg tO mY tRuStY eYeSigGhT!”
Well guess what dipshit, those stats helped win the game. Your boyfriend lost. Get over it and go crawl back into the sphincter you came out of.
Amen Cheese . . .
I’m still not sold on the defense. Brady was without his top 3 receivers. I know the Packers were also down a couple of receivers and, honestly, don’t really have a top receiver, but still Brady almost won the game with their 4th and 5th receivers and a guy signed this week. Mike Evans doesn’t get the ball popped out, but 5th string receivers like Perriman do. What I did like on defense was to see De’Vondre Campbell at 6 foot 3 blocking the game tying pass. No linebacker in Packer’s history probably could have blocked that pass.
–
Another key to the victory was Rogers didn’t ignore Doubs. That story is probably the best story of the game. Doubs showed he wasn’t just a preseason hero. Not only did he show he deserves more playing time, but he also looked like he could break a long one on several plays.
–
As with every Tom Brady game, questionable calls always go against his opponents while at the same time his offensive line holds all game long. Every close up of the Bucs lineman they were pulling or hooking a Packer defender. We in the NFC are just now seeing what the AFC has been complaining about for years that refs always favor Brady.
What’s interesting is that Brady was down 3 receivers, all good productive receivers, with Jones on the tail end of his career.
What do the Bucs do, go out immediately and try to help Brady, and actually do something about it. They went and signed Beasely.
Not sure why they didn’t try to sign Funchess, that’s who the good GM’s go after.
The Packers have been searching for receivers since 2018. Think about that…..anyone can dispute that if you’d like….Good luck.
.
The Packers (Gute) are relying on 1 has been and one, never really was (Cobb and Lazard) Now the Packers had no choice but to get Doubs some targets, because frankly…whose left?
Watkins was out, Watson was out.
I mean, who else are you throwing to?
Dequara? Where has Gute been hiding him?
He had 9 snaps against the Bucs and i didn’t even notice, while watching the game.
Yet another of Gutes 3rd round picks who offer next to nothing.
Maybe we can throw to tight end Mercedes Lewis…he might even get a target one of these weeks, or maybe, this season? 🥱
Thank God, (Gute) he’s still around…Don’t want to lose his pass catching production.
Plus, you can never have too many extra lineman around to help the line do their job.
Lets call him what he is.
Call him what he is? If your referring to Brian Gutekunst you call him a successful GM that’s won 69% of his games the last 4 years and recently signed a 5 year contract extension. A GM who drafted Alexander, Gary, Jenkins, Savage, Stokes, Myers, Walker, Doubs, Watson, and the list goes on. A GM who signed FA’s ZaDarius, Preston, Turner, Campbell and Amos. A GM who signed practice squad players like Lazard and Douglas off other teams. A GM that has developed undrafted players like Yosh Nijman, while Caleb Jones looks to be his next find. And despite you and Cheese constantly bitching about the WR’s, they were still good enough to win back to back MVP awards for your boyfriend. You call Brian Gutekunst the reason for Aaron Rodgers failures. While the executive board is happy to to have him run the team. But by all means, you Cheese blame Josiah Deguara and Kevin King because Aaron Rodgers shits the bed in the playoffs. I’d rather a have up and coming player like Romeo Doubs than 32 year old has been Cole Beasley. We already have a player just like him. His name is Randall Cobb. They’ll both be hurt an ineffective by mid October.
Tom M 4 hours ago
Call him what he is? If your referring to Brian Gutekunst………
.
Yea Einstein, i’m referring to Gute.
Gute plays lineman right?.
Learn how to read moron.
.
STAY IN SCHOOL KIDS
I think the key defensive sequences in the second half was when TB got the ball with about 8:40 in the 4th quarter. TB in one play went 25 yards to the 50 yard line. I think the Packer D was on the ropes. At a minimum a field goal for TB would have been big. TB has to regret the next play, a flea flicker that lost 12 yards. Then the next play sacking Brady. All of a sudden TB is back at approximately their 30.
The Packers get the ball and actually get a couple of first downs before they go into turtle mode. When TB gets the ball back there is only 3:04 on the clock. Almost 6:00 minutes off a short game clock.
I know P. Smith and J.Reed did not show up in the stats very much, if at all, but P.Smith blew up the flea flicker, and to me J.Reed had a big assist in the sack.
Any issues posting this comment?
No. It showed up immediately. Thanks Jason.
WOW…my comment posted,,,,, as a reply the way it was intended, and it posted instantly!!
.
Amazing what we can accomplish when we take the time and use our mind to do something.
.
Credit when due…I don’t want to speak too soon JP, but damn!… whatever you did so far is working perfectly.
.
Kudos JP!!
.
Now i kind of feel bad for getting a lil snarky with you.
.
I want to officially apologize for anything negative that i, or Howard may have said of you. 😏
.
Keep up the good work!! 😎
What it means Cheese is come from behind and win. Since you never seen Aaron Rodgers do that, I understand your confusion. You do see a lot of eye rolling and pouting. You cry like a little bitch because Rodgers doesn’t have WR’s yet he’s had the best WR in the game the last 5-7 years in Davante Adams. And he still had the best WR in the game on Sunday in Romeo Doubs. Tom Brady had nothing. Mike Evans suspended. Julio Jones and Chris Goodwin out. And a third string LT. Yet he’s one play away from OT and a win because Rodgers did nothing in the second half. And that was all going to change in OT because? But it’s not his fault. It’s never his fault….
“What it means Cheese is come from behind and win.”
.
Lol, Tampa and Tom Brady DIDN’T WIN so I don’t know why you’re saying he “rallied the troops.” Oh that’s right, you like to romantically talk about your boyfriend even when he loses. When Rodgers wins he’s just an arrogant diva who played no role in winning aside from throwing two touchdowns, and possibly could have had a third if Aaron Jones doesn’t fumble the ball at the goal line.
.
“he (Rodgers) still had the best WR in the game on Sunday in Romeo Doubs. Tom Brady had nothing
.
Lol, right. Rodgers had the best WR in the game, hey? All while poor little Brady had nothing to work with? What an unfair advantage that must have been with that allstar cast of WR’s the Packers have. It’s so nice of you to twist the truth to protect your boyfriend when he loses. Russell Gage had more receptions, more yards, and the same number of TD catches than Romeo Doubs. Must have been real hard for Brady to win by having the leading receiver in the game. What a disadvantage. No, your excuses are just endless.
.
“Yet he’s one play away from OT and a win because Rodgers did nothing in the second half.”
.
Stop trying to romanticize it. “Brady was one play away from OT while Rodgers did nothing in the second half.” LOL. Brady (Tampa) was behind because he did NOTHING in the first half ya fucking genius. Not a single touchdown. All of a sudden he’s this valiant troop leader who is better than anything Rodgers could ever wish to be because they got to the goal line and LOST THE GAME. It’s the same exact situation as two years ago with the roles reversed. Your bias is absolutely asinine.