Buccaneers Keep Playoff Hopes Alive With Impressive 34-20 Win Over Packers

The Buccaneers victory over Green Bay boosts their record to 7-7 and keeps them in the top seed of the NFC South.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still in the driver's seat to make the playoffs as their 34-20 win over the Green Bay Packers helps them maintain the top seed in the NFC South. 

It was a back and forth the first half before the Bucs took a three point lead into the half. The Buccaneers made a big stop after the half and starting to build on that lead. The second half saw the Buccaneers end up controlling the game and taking care of business. 

After losing the coin toss the and the Packers deferred the Bucs started the game on offense. Coming out throwing, Baker Mayfield hit Chris Godwin for 11 yards on the first play of the game. A 24-yard catch and run by Rachaad White put them in Packers territory. And a 12-yard catch by Godwin put them inside the red zone. Though the Buccaneers wouldn’t find their way into the endzone having to settle for a 39-yard field goal attempt after a Mayfield sack on third down.

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Bucs 3, Packers 0

The Packers went straight to work after the score with running back Aaron Jones popping a 20-yard run to get them to midfield. A 20-yard catch on third down by wide receiver Jayden Reed brought Green Bay right outside the red zone and kept the drive alive. The offense brought the ball down to the three-yard line but couldn’t punch it in after a failed fourth down conversion.

Backed up, the Bucs came back out on offense. After a four-yard gain by White, the Packers defense got to Mayfield for a strip sack to set them up with the ball at the four yard line. It took just two plays for Green Bay to score the go ahead touchdown on a five-yard score to tight end Tucker Kraft.

Bucs 3, Packers 7

With a chance to take the lead and right the wrongs of the last drive, Mayfield and the Bucs pushed the ball down the field on big gains to Evans(14 yards) and Godwin(24 yards). A few plays later and Mayfield thew a 19-yard strike to Evans in the endzone for the touchdown and the lead. 

Bucs 10, Packers 7

The first play of the Packers drive resulted in a sack by Anthony Nelson. But a penalty and a breakdown in coverage on a 36 yard catch and run by Tucker Kraft moved Green Bay right outside of the red zone. Though the Bucs defense held up on a third and nine stop forcing the Packers to take a field goal to tie the game.

Bucs 10, Packers 10

With the opportunity to put points on the board before the half, the Bucs hurt themselves once again with a false start penalty backing them up. The offense was unable to overcome the penalty and had to punt the ball with five and a half minutes remaining. Jake Camarada had a booming 65 yard punt that was downed at the four-yard line. 

Backed up in their own endzone, the Packers offense was bailed out by a questionable pass interference call giving them 32 yards. Ball don't lie though and the Bucs stopped them on third down forcing a punt. 

Gifted another chance to get a score before the half, the Bucs offense was cooking, before it wasn't. Mayfield hit David Moore for a quick 16 yard strike before finding Godwin for 25 yards to move them into Packers territory. A series of unfortunate events including a nine yard sack on first down and holding call on second down set the Bucs up in a second and 29 situation. 

Mayfield found a streaking Godwin for a 24 yard to give the Buccaneers a manageable third and 5 and  back into field goal range. The offense couldn't convert but the 46- yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin was good to give the Bucs the lead heading into halftime. 

Bucs 13, Packers 10

Coming out of halftime the Packers offense was shut down by the Buccaneers defense forcing the punt. Big third down plays to Evans and Godwin to keep the drive alive were critical on the Bucs scoring drive. Mayfield found a wide open Rachaad White for a 24-yard catch and run to extend their lead. 

Bucs 20, Packers 10

The Packers wouldn't go away silently though and converted three third down situations on a 75 yard drive that saw completions of 22, 21 and 15 yards including the 17 yard score on third and 14 to Jayden Reed to close the gap.

Bucs 20, Packers 17

Tampa Bay came out firing on offense with a 22 yard catch and run from Mayfield to Cade Otton. A 21-yard completion to Chris Godwin and the Bucs were in Green Bay territory. A defensive pass interference call gave the Buccaneers new life on third down well in field goal range. 

A 22-yard catch and run by Otton set the Bucs up at the two yard line. A quick strike to Evans went incomplete but Mayfield found Ko Kieft for the score the very next play for the touchdown increasing their lead to ten.

Bucs 27, Packers 17

It took just two plays by the Packers offense to get them into Bucs territory. Jordan Love found Dontayvion Wicks on back to back plays to pick up gains of 19 and 20 yards. however the Buccaneers came away with another red zone stop to force a Green Bay field goal attempt. The Packers added to their point total but still trialed by seven points.

Bucs 27, Packers 20

The Bucs, needing to put points on the board to preserve their lead, were able to push the ball to midfield but faced a third and four to continue the drive. Mayfield hit newly signed receiver David Moore for a 52 yard catch and run to give the Bucs a 14 point lead lead with six and a half to go in the game. 

Bucs 34, Packers 20 

With a chance to spark any sort of comeback, the Packers picked up a few first downs before the Buccaneers strung together a few stops in the air. On 4th & 10, the Buccaneers sent pressure from Lavonte David and Shaq Barrett, forcing a fumble and giving the Buccaneers possession of the ball.

Bucs 34, Packers 20

With nothing but clock to chew, the Buccaneers got into a risky fourth and short situation, which ending up being converted by Rachaad White. This set the Buccaneers up in a position to run the ball a few more times and get past the two minute warning, allowing them to run the clock out and win the game. 

You can follow JC Allen on Twitter @JCAllenNFL.

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