Countdown to Kickoff: Packers-Buccaneers, Week 3 2022

The highly-anticipated spectacle has arrived. In Week Three, the Buccaneers will host Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in Tampa Bay’s home opener at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, September 25 at 4:25 p.m. ET. Both clubs are touted as contenders in the NFC and the Bucs will strive for their first 3-0 start in 17 years. The matchup is headlined by two legendary quarterbacks, however, the clash may hinge on two formidable defenses and rolling ground attacks. With both teams undergoing an offensive transition out of necessity, this marquee matchup will likely stray from tradition or preconceived notions accompanying the phrase, “Brady-Rodgers.” After a week of preparation, here is what it comes down to:

• 9.7. Aaron Jones ran outside the tackles on 12 of 15 carries for 116 yards and a touchdown, gaining 9.7 yards per carry per such runs in Week Two, according to Next Gen Stats. Schematically, Green Bay has structured the offense to get Jones on the perimeter to maximize his ability to make defenders miss in the open filed. Both setting the edge and disciplined pursuit angles will be keys for the Bucs’ defense.
• 19 percent. The Packers have been able to generate pressure with four up front. Nose tackle Kenny Clark has the highest-pressure rate among defensive tackles at 19 percent in 2022. Additionally, Rashan Gary is fourth in pressure rate amongst 3-4 edges at 20 percent and linebacker Preston Smith is fifth in the NFL in pressures with 11 – leading the league in pressure rate at 26 percent. Green Bay’s scoring defense currently ranks seventh, at 16.5 points allowed per game.
• 6.5. The Buccaneers’ defensive onslaught has allowed a league-low 6.5 points per game through the first two weeks of the 2022 season and have only allowed one touchdown. The Tampa Bay defense has accrued a league-high 10 sacks, spearheaded by Devin White and Shaquil Barrett. Conversely, the Packers have had trouble keeping Rodgers clean in the pocket, resulting in the fifth worst sack rate allowed in 2022 (10.94 percent).
• 20th, or the Packers ranking in passing yards per game through the first two weeks. Aaron Rodgers has accumulated just two touchdown passes as the Packers have taken a run-heavy approach out of necessity. With a rebuilt receiving corps, the Packers’ offense has been led by a two-headed monster in Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon as Rodgers seeks to form synergy with a new surrounding cast.

• The Buccaneers’ final injury report of Week…