GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers need to put Monday night’s loss to the New York Giants in the rear-view mirror quickly. They host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
The Packers and Bucs used to be division rivals. That’s why it’s only fitting that Sunday’s game at Lambeau Field is so meaningful for both teams in this season’s playoff chase.
Both the Packers and Bucs are 6-7. Tampa Bay hopes to win the NFC South Division.
“I don’t think anyone in this locker room was necessarily pleased with the way they played (against the Giants),” said Packers kicker Anders Carlson. “I don’t think it was an acceptable game for us at all, on all levels. And, for us as a specialist, we know that. And so we’re definitely looking forward to a better game. And getting back in the win column.”
Carlson also commented on whether December is a different beast for a kicker with the weather and winds.
“I think when you’re in it every day, practicing in it, it’s just about taking it day by day,” said Carlson.
Having played Monday night on the road, this short week is a quick turnaround for the Packers.
“It’s just one of the challenges every team goes through,” said Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. “You got to adjust to it the best you can, and try to put together a solid plan because you got to have a great plan against a really good football team.”
LaFleur weighed in on the challenges the Tampa Bay defense presents.
“When you couple good scheme with really good players, that’s usually a problem,” said LaFleur. “I think Todd (Bowles) does a great job, and they do a great job of deploying a lot of different pressure looks. They want to get pressure on the quarterback, and then they’ve got playmakers at every level of the defense. From the D-line, linebackers obviously have been doing it for a long time, and in the back end. I think they do a great job of attacking the football. They know how to generate takeaways. They’re always punching at the football. When you look at the guys in the back end, they got great ball skills. So I just think every level of their defense is dangerous.”
Tom Brady is now retired. He led Tampa Bay to the NFC Championship after the 2020 season, beating the Packers at Lambeau Field. The Buccaneers quarterback Sunday will be Baker Mayfield.
“I just think he’s a guy that’s playing with a lot of confidence,” said LaFleur. “Obviously, he’s got some pretty darn good receivers to throw to. I got a lot of respect for Dave Canales as offensive coordinator. Just what they’ve shown and put on tape. So I think he’s doing a really good job. I think he’s playing with a lot of confidence.”
Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans has scored 91 career touchdowns and has recorded 10 straight 1,000 yard receiving seasons.
“I got to see him up close and personal at the Pro Bowl a couple of years ago,” said LaFleur. “He’s a pretty intelligent guy, but I think he’s a guy that loves football. I love the way he competes. He is physical. He does a great job of opening up his stride. Obviously, his catch radius is insane. There’s not a catch he can’t make, not a route he can’t run. I just think he will go down as one of the best to ever do it.”
Jordan Love had two turnovers in the loss to the Giants. He vows to be better.
“I think the footwork is something that I want to clean up,” said Love. “I wasn’t at my best during that game with a couple of throws, just falling off my base, not keeping balance. Kind of hoppin’ sometimes, on top of my drop. So that was something I looked at and want to clean up going forward.”
Love refuses to use the injury absences of Aaron Jones and Christian Watson as excuses for losing.
“It’s really that next man up mentality,” said Love. “But obviously, it’s tough. You always want to have your best guys out there, but things happen in football, injuries happen.”
The Packers did not practice Wednesday to give players an additional day to physically recover from Monday night.