Know the Foe: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 6

After a timely Week 5 bye, the Green Bay Packers enter Week 6 rested and ready for action. They will hit the road and head south to meet the well-balanced Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That team comes in at 3-2 with a tough 20-19 road defeat to the Bears last week. In a tight NFC South division race, the talented Buccaneers will be hungry and ready for the undefeated Packers. This should be a great matchup of NFC front runners. Find out all about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 6 matchup that the Packers will face.

Same Old Brady

Tampa Bay offense is full of playmakers. After having one of the most decorated careers with the New England Patriots, 43-year-old Tom Brady headed to Tampa Bay Buccaneers this last offseason. Regardless of his age, Brady is still one of the smartest football players in the league. Though he is a sitting duck in the pocket and not able to scramble he is still mentally tough and willing and able to make any throw. At his disposal, Brady has some excellent weapons that will challenge any defense.

Weapons of Mass Production

Mike Evans and Chris Godwin lead the wide receiver group and form one of the top duos in the league. Evans is a physically imposing man at 6’5″ and 230 lb. Most impressively, he has put up 1,000 yards every season of his NFL career. On the other side is Godwin with his elite route running and hands. He broke out in 2019 with over 1,300 yards and 9 touchdowns. Both Godwin and Evans have dealt with injuries this season and have been limited. It remains to be seen if both will be ready to go on Sunday.

Slot receiver Scott Miller has also been a factor with 15 receptions for 250 yards and a score. Also, tight ends Cameron Brate and future Hall-of-Famer Rob Gronkowski are options in the passing game.

Underrated Ronald Jones leads a solid running attack. Coming off back-to-back 100-yard games, the hard-running Jones is averaging 4.9 yards a carry this season. He is backed up by Bruiser Leonard Fournette who is averaging 5.1 yards per rush.

Up until the second half of last week’s game against the Bears, the Buccaneers offensive line has been playing really well. Sixth-year player Donovan Smith has been protecting Brady’s blindside well. Ryan Jensen is a solid center and leader in the middle of this group. High draft pick Tristan Wirfs got beat like a drum against Khalil Mack last week but has the making of a perennial Pro-Bowler in the future.

Defending the Ship

Solid through the middle on defense, the Bucs defense has quietly been really good so far in 2020. They have been dominant against the run allowing under 3 yards per carry. This all starts up front with their defensive line. Ndamukong Suh is still playing at a high level at age 33, while Vita Vea is a problem in the middle and demands a lot of double-teams. Last year’s sack league-leader, Shaquil Barrett, is a constant threat off the edge and his partner-in-crime Jason Pierre-Paul already has four sacks and two forced fumbles on the season.

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Up the middle of this defense is really talented and led by longtime stud Lavonte David. David never got the credit he deserves. He was always in the shadows of Luke Kuechly and Bobby Wagner, but he is in the tier just below those greats. Next to him is second-year player Devin White. He has flashed why he was highly touted out of LSU but hasn’t been consistent. On the back end of the secondary at safety is the surprising great play of the rookie missile Antoine Winfield Jr. This kid flies all over the field and has made his presence felt with two sacks and a forced fumble. Also in the secondary is rising Carlton Davis who has an interception in each of the last three games. This defense is well-balanced and will be a tough matchup for the Green Bay Packers.

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– Jesse Hall is a writer for Full Press Coverage Packers. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @hall_jhall1212 Follow @FPCoverage and Facebook. – Kyle Senra is the managing editor for Full Press Coverage Packers. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @SenraSays Follow @FPC_Packers and Facebook.