The Packers and Bucs will face off this Sunday for the first time since the 2020 NFC Championship game. It will also be the fourth time Rodgers and Brady face off in their careers as starters. It has been just under two years since their last matchup in which the Buccaneers took down the Pack at Lambeau Field. This time, the green and gold will be heading into Raymond James Stadium. It’s one of many differences’ fans will be seeing this time around.

What is most notable about the matchup this time around is the lengthy injury reports both teams have. It’s only Week 3, but it is already looking brutal in the wide receiver rooms. The Packers will be without Sammy Watkins who was their leading receiver in their win over the Bears last week. Watkins was just put on IR this Saturday with a hamstring injury and will be out at least four games. Watkins is not alone, as Christian Watson is questionable with the same injury. Randall Cobb is also questionable with an illness.

It will likely come down to fellow rookie Romeo Doubs and recently returned Allen Lazard to carry the passing attack. Overall, the Packers will most likely be planning to do exactly what they did last week. Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon will be seeing the rock plenty. Jones is averaging a whopping 9.1 yards per carry at the start of this year with Dillon putting up respectable numbers as well. Both are also near the top end of the team in receiving targets. For the foreseeable future, the Packers offense will live and die off of these two.

The Buccaneers have their own similar issues. They have lost Mike Evans for this game due to suspension and have ruled out Chris Godwin due to a hamstring injury. Behind them, Breshad Perriman, Julio Jones, and Russell Gage are all questionable with their own injuries. It has gotten so dire, they reached out to sign veteran WR Cole Beasley this week. Despite the short notice, there have been rumors of Beasley playing coming off of just a few days of practice.

Adding to their already crowded injury list, DT Akiem Hicks has been out as well. Hicks has been a problem for the Packers since his days as a Bear. With the Packers offense likely to run heavily, it hurts to not have Hicks out there for the Bucs. Add to the injury of T Donovan Smith who is doubtful on an already injury depleted offensive line and you start to wonder just what the Buccaneers plan on doing to combat this injury bug. Like the Packers, they will most likely look to their running game. Expect a lot of touches for Leonard Fournette. Fournette, while questionable, is expected to play.

Looking at all of these offensive question marks and elite play makers both teams have on the defensive end, one would expect a tough, low-scoring game. Despite their rough start against the Vikings, the Packers defense was able to hold the Bears to just ten points and 70 passing yards last week. The Bucs defense essentially won them in the game against the Saints. They picked off Jameis Winston three times including one that went for six.

But, with Brady and Rodgers under center, it just feels wrong to expect anemic offenses despite everything else. These are two Hall of Famers. These are two of the greatest of all time. If there are any two who can overcome the odds, it’s them. Expect a show from the Packers-Bucs this Sunday.

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