Packers-Bucs: Who will lead the transition?

Three years ago, Lambeau Field hosted the NFC Championship Game between the Green Bay Packers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was the match the world had been waiting for. Aaron Rodgers vs. Tom Brady. The Bucks won 31-26 and went on to win the Super Bowl two weeks later over the Kansas City Chiefs.From that day on, the team became mirror images. The following year, the two teams took the top and second seeds, respectively, in the NFC playoffs. Both teams lost in the divisional stage. Both teams went 8-9 the following year. Tampa Bay made the playoffs as a byproduct of playing in a mediocre NFC South. Both teams are currently in transition, moving on from Hall of Fame quarterbacks last season.

With Aaron Rodgers traded to the Jets and Brady out, both teams are 6-7 heading into Sunday’s game at Lambeau Field. Both teams battled. The Bucs are still leading the average division, led by Baker Mayfield. The Packers are on a three-game winning streak in their first season with Jordan Love after a humiliating loss to the New York Giants on Monday night.Although the two teams were similar in performance, they took different approaches to team building. The question then becomes who leads the way.guardianAs for this season, the two quarterbacks are relatively even. Love has more hit songs than Mayfield. Mayfield has a slight edge in quarterback rating (89.7-89.0). But this season is much more than 2023 for the Packers.Love appears to be someone the Packers can trust for the future of the franchise.

Meanwhile, Mayfield has come around the league and joined his fourth team in three years.Even if Mayfield performs well, the Bucs will likely continue to look for a long-term answer at quarterback. Pros: PackerQualification positionUnlike the Packers, who only work with young receivers and young quarterbacks, the Bucs have kept a structure around Brady to help Mayfield.Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are one of the best duos in the NFL. Evans has rushed for 1,000 yards in 10 straight seasons, and Godwin is the No. 2. Cade Otton is a solid player with 40+ catches in each of his first two seasons. Evans is set to become a free agent and his future in Tampa Bay is uncertain.The Packers have never had a true alpha receiver like Evans in his career in Tampa Bay. Jaden Reed, Dontayvion Weeks, Romeo Daubs, Christian Watson, Tucker Craft and Luke Musgrave have shown flashes this season. The question is whether they will grow up together, as Brian Gutekunst suggests. The situation at the back is weak for both. Both teams are below average in the running game. AJ Dillon’s contract is expiring and Aaron Jones, who took a pay cut this year, is also uncertain.Rachaad White, a 2022 third-round pick, is Tampa’s best player. He averaged just 3.7 yards per carry for his career, but has surpassed 1,100 yards this season.I gave Tampa the nod based on an already established Godwin and some stability in the back. Pros: moneyoffensive lineTristan Wirfs and Packers right tackle Zach Thome are staples for their respective teams.In Green Bay, left guard Elseyton Jenkins has been a player well-regarded by the Packers for a long time, and center Josh Myers has performed well recently.

After 2023, the Packers have big question marks at left and right guard. Will David Bakhtiari return? If not, how will you replace it? Right back John Runyan is out of contract. Sean Ryan moved on from Runyan for several series over the past six weeks, but was unable to replace him.The Bucs have similar questions on the interior. Cody Mauch struggled at right guard as a rookie, but Wirfs and Wisconsin product Luke Goedeke provide more stability at the key position.Green Bay has a history of finding players at this position group. They certainly have more depth than most teams, and that includes Tampa Bay.Pros: Packerdefense frontGreen Bay’s Kenny Clark and Tampa Bay’s Vita Vea are experienced building blocks on the defensive line. Green Bay running back Rashaan Gary signed a contract extension earlier this year after his first 10-sack season.The Bucs haven’t found the next pass rusher to replace Jason Pierre-Paul and Shaquille Barrett.The Packers have invested heavily in this position group, with Clark, Gary, Devonte Wyatt, Lucas Van Ness and Preston Smith either being first-round picks or receiving significant free agent money. No investment was made against the Giants on Monday, but they are in better shape than Tampa BayPros: Packerlinebacker off the ballDevin White and Lavonte David could be in Packers coach Matt LaFleur’s nightmares.

That tandem was dynamic and slowed LaFleur and the Packers’ passing attack in the middle of the field. The Packers were hoping Quay Walker and De’Vondre Campbell would form that tandem, but it didn’t work out at the same time.Walker has struggled with injuries and inconsistency, and Campbell hasn’t rediscovered the form that made him a first-team All-Pro in 2021. David is getting old but still very good. White has performed well in his quest for a new contract. Pros: moneydefensive backThis may be where the Bucs have changed the most since the 2020 NFC Championship Game.

Carlton Davies, Shaun Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean combined to form a tight secondary with an explosive pass rush. Murphy-Bunting is gone. Davis and Dean haven’t played well since that season. The Bucks ranked 28th

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