Packers vs Buccaneers Week 3: Can the Bucs Offense Remain Effective Without WR Mike Evans?

• This Week 3 Packers vs Bucs matchup is one of the more anticipated games of 2022
• Green Bay is without WR Davante Adams, Tampa Bay is without WR Mike Evans
• Watch Packers vs Bucs live on Sunday, September 25, 2022, at 4:25 PM ET on FOX

Packers vs Buccaneers Odds

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Packers vs Buccaneers Pick

This classic NFC battle between QBs Rodgers and Brady will no doubt be an exciting one, but the GOAT should cover the spread even without the help of Evans.

Buccaneers -1.5 (-110)

One of the more anticipated matchups of the 2022 NFL season is this Week 3 showdown between the 1-1 Green Bay Packers and the 2-0 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a game that pits two future hall of fame QBs against each other in a battle for an invaluable conference victory.

With a familiar echo from the beginning of the prior season, the Green Bay Packers started out 2022 by getting blown away, but in Week 2 they reestablished their collective dominance as QB Aaron Rodgers (19/25, 234 yds, 2 TDs) made it clear in Chicago that his offense is just fine.

Tom Brady’s undefeated Tampa Bay Bucs are firing on most of their cylinders in 2022 but in Week 3 they will be forced to play without one of their main weapons, WR Mike Evans, who is suspended for a game for fighting an opponent last week, though their top-5 D should be fine.

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Green Bay Packers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Predictions

Can Packers’ Young WR Room Give QB Aaron Rodgers Worthy Targets?

One of the toughest parts of the 2022 season for the Green Bay Packers is having to move on from arguably the best WR in the league, Davante Adams, who is now suiting up in Las Vegas with his old college teammate Derek Carr, leaving Aaron Rodgers searching for a golden target.

Rodgers and HC Matt LaFleur have their fair share of talented pass catchers to choose from, including deep threats Allen Lazzard and Sammy Watkins, slot receivers Randall Cobb and Amari Rodgers, with rookie depth from Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, and Samori Toure.

It’s a young batch of eager WRS and QB Rodgers has shown some frustration this year when they are not where they are supposed to be on the field, so watch for him to gradually develop newfound chemistry with this group as they battle a Buccaneer defense ranked 5th in the NFL.

Can the Bucs Offense Remain Effective Without WR Mike Evans?

At one point during the Bucs’ Week 2 game, QB Tom Brady began mouthing off to an opposing player who tried to push back until Tampa WR Mike Evans issued a blindside shot that cost him a game, so now in Week 3 veteran playmaker Julio Jones (below) has a chance to step up.

Besides Jones, there are plenty of other talented receivers on Brady’s roster including deep threat Breshad Perriman and slot man Russell Gage, but with veteran Chris Godwin (hamstring) likely out, backups Jaelon Darden, Scotty Miller, and rookie Kaylon Geiger should play, too.

The key here, of course, is GOAT QB Tom Brady, and chances are this is not his first time playing without his favorite target, so expect him to figure out how to re-adjust his game plan with help from HC Todd Bowles and OC Byron Leftwich who help create an alternative strategy.

Packers Key Player: (RB) Aaron Jones

One of the major weapons of the Green Bay offense is dual-threat back Aaron Jones, now in his sixth NFL season and ready to continue his trend of 220+ touches, 1,100+ total yards, and 10+ total touchdowns the way he has done for the last three seasons for HC Matt LaFleur and co.

Last week when the Packers beat the Chicago Bears on national TV, Jones had 18 touches for 170 total yards and 2 touchdowns, a disruptive back who forces opposing defenses to pay attention to him whenever he is in the game, a valuable check-down receiver for QB Rodgers.

In this game, Jones will be facing a Tampa Bay defensive front that is no joke – DEs William Gholston and rookie Logan Hall plus veteran NT Vita Vea – a group backed up by hard a hitting LB crew including Devin White and Shaquil Barrett who will find Jones a tough back to tackle.

Buccaneers Key Player: (WR) Julio Jones

When veteran WR Julio Jones was with the Atlanta Falcons, his first NFL team since 2011 before he moved to the Tennessee Titans last season and then the Bucs this year, he was considered one of the top receivers in the league for his ability to run fast routes and get open.

Whether the 33-year-old deep threat has lost a step at this point should be made clear in this Week 3 opportunity to be the man in Evan’s absence, the 6’ 3” 220-pound Jones a 2x First-team All Pro and 2x NFL receiving yards leader with a unique chance to help his team earn a big win.

So far this season, Jones only has 3 receptions off 5 targets for 69 yards and no touchdowns and he is listed as questionable (knee) for Week 3, but he is a tough player who will no doubt suit up if he can, especially given this will be a critical conference game that needs to be won.

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