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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter Week 4 searching for answers. Tampa Bay sits at 0-3 after losing 23-16 to Minnesota last Sunday. Meanwhile, Green Bay enters at 1-2 after falling 35-14 to Atlanta. Now, both teams meet Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. Kickoff arrives at 1 p.m. ET on October 4. However, the biggest storyline involves Tampa Bay’s quarterback position. Baker Mayfield will miss at least three weeks with a dislocated right thumb. The injury ended his streak of 57 consecutive starts for Tampa Bay.
That means rookie Jalon Daniels will make his first NFL start. Daniels appeared briefly against Minnesota after Mayfield left the game. He attempted three passes and threw one interception. He also gained nine yards on one rushing attempt. Now, Daniels gets a full week to prepare for Green Bay. The former Kansas quarterback impressed Tampa Bay during training camp. He also brings mobility that could add another dimension to the offense.
A Tough First Assignment
Daniels faces a difficult challenge against the Packers. Green Bay has already recorded seven sacks through three games. Tampa Bay has allowed six sacks during the same stretch. Therefore, protecting Daniels becomes critical. The Buccaneers also need their running game to help settle the rookie quarterback. Tampa Bay cannot afford to put the entire offense on Daniels. At the same time, Tampa Bay needs more production from its passing attack. The Bucs average 20.7 points per game through three weeks.
They also average just 279.3 total yards. That ranks 27th in the NFL. Emeka Egbuka should remain an important target. The rookie receiver caught five passes for 62 yards against Minnesota. He gives Daniels a young weapon who can create plays downfield. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay needs its offensive line to control Green Bay’s pass rush. Tristan Wirfs could play a major role in that battle. He faces another challenging matchup against a Packers defense that can pressure quarterbacks.
Jordan Love Leads Green Bay
The Packers also need a bounce-back performance. Jordan Love enters Week 4 after a difficult night against Atlanta. He threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns on 53 attempts during the 35-14 loss. Love has attempted 124 passes through three games. Green Bay’s running game has struggled, though. The Packers have produced only 146 rushing yards this season. Josh Jacobs remains unavailable while sitting on the exempt list. That puts additional pressure on Love and the Packers passing game.
Christian Watson also enters as an important player to watch. Watson caught seven passes for 96 yards and a touchdown against Atlanta. He now has 284 receiving yards through three games. Green Bay needs those explosive plays against Tampa Bay’s secondary. The Buccaneers also need to create pressure on Love. Their defense has six sacks through three games.
Bucs and Packers Have Plenty of History
This matchup carries plenty of history between the franchises. The teams have met 57 times in the regular season. Green Bay leads the series 33-23-1. The rivalry dates back to their days in the old NFC Central. The Packers have won four of the last six regular-season meetings. However, Tampa Bay won the most recent matchup. That game came on December 17, 2023, at Lambeau Field. Tampa Bay won that matchup 34-20 behind a strong offensive performance. The Bucs have also won three of the last four meetings overall. Green Bay won the last game played in Tampa Bay. The Packers earned a 14-12 victory during their 2022 visit. This weekend marks another important chapter in the series.
A Critical Week 4 Test
Both teams need this game for different reasons. Tampa Bay wants to avoid a 0-4 start. Green Bay wants to recover after a disappointing home loss. The Packers also face a demanding early schedule. Green Bay has played three of its first four games on the road. That has happened only three times in franchise history. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay needs to discover its identity without Mayfield. Daniels does not need to become Mayfield overnight. Instead, Tampa Bay needs to protect him and create manageable situations. The defense must also keep Love from controlling the game.
That combination could determine Sunday’s outcome. For the Buccaneers, Week 4 represents more than another regular-season game. It marks the beginning of the Jalon Daniels era, at least temporarily. Now, the rookie gets his first opportunity to show what he can do. And the Packers will be waiting at Raymond James Stadium. This version keeps the focus on the quarterback change, the historical rivalry, and the players who could shape Week 4.
This is an interesting game for both teams because they are heading in the wrong direction in 2026.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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