Besides the game, one of the best (or worst) parts of football seasons are Monday mornings.

Any football fan will tell you, whether it’s during school day, at work, or on your favorite sports talk show— Monday mornings are for bragging rights, armchair quarterbacks, and “Did you see when?!” This Monday morning, Bucs’ fans giving a quarter-by-quarter breakdown of the game will start with the—

First quarter- Battling low temperatures and the wind, the Tampa Bay Bucs’ offense took the field first in Green Bay. Baker Mayfield, Rachaad White, and co. walked down the field with ease, until a third-down sack bogged down their drive in the red zone. Tampa’s defense took the field with a three point lead and although their debut moments of the game look very similar to Green Bay’s, the Bucs were able to hold the Packers out of the end zone, due to a failed fourth down attempt.

The game’s first major turning point came on Tampa’s ensuing drive. On second down, Dave Canales dialed up a deep pass. Baker Mayfield stood in the pocket and got ready to launch a cannon shot. Unfortunately, for Bucs’ fans, the cannon shot backfired. Mayfield was stripped from behind and the Packers were set up with excellent field position. Green Bay, on a short field, made Mayfield pay for his mistake— A quick touchdown gave the home team their first lead of the day, 7-3.

Second quarter- The Bucs began both the first and second quarter with possession and they finished each drive with points. Their first drive of the first quarter finished with a field goal. Their first drive of the second quarter, with a touchdown. Baker Mayfield fired the ball to his number one receiver, giving Mike Evans his eleventh touchdown of 2023.

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Jordan Love and the Packers responded with a field goal, evening the game at 10. The tie game set the stage for Tampa Bay’s electric punter to dazzle with a 65-yard punt, which settled down inside the Green Bay five yard line. Following a Packers’ punt, Baker Mayfield and the Bucs’ offense got another chance at a two-minute drill (Their second in as many weeks). Last week, against the Atlanta Falcons, the Bucs took the ball down the field and punched it in the end zone for a game-winning score. This week, the Bucs’ offense finished their two-minute drill with points again— A Chase McLaughlin field goal, to give Tampa Bay a lead at the half. 13-10.

**Halftime notes**
Chris Godwin has certainly had his struggles this season, but today, he has looked like the Chris Godwin of old— seven catches for 108 yards.

The man who has been tossing the ball to Godwin has had an equally as impressive first half. Baker Mayfield had 14 attempts in the first two quarters. On those 14 attempts, Mayfield connected on 12 for a whopping 187 yards and a touchdown.

Third quarter- The Packers kicked off to start the game, so they started the third quarter on offense. Their opening drive did not go as planned, a quick three-and-out. The Packers’ punt put the Bucs’ offense back on the field and Tampa wasted no time. Baker Mayfield, like lightening on a stormy night, continued to strike. The Bucs’ quarterback gave the Tampa Bay Bucs a two-score lead, with a ball down the middle of the field to Rachaad White for six. 20-10, Bucs.

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Green Bay was ready with a drive of their own, converting on multiple third-and-long yardage situations as they took Tampa Bay’s defense to task, cutting the Bucs’ lead to three. Tampa Bay’s offense saw Green Bay’s drive and said, “We’ll see you and raise you one.” Baker Mayfield threw his second touchdown pass of the third quarter to Ko Kieft who crossed the goal line for the first time this season. 27-17, Tampa Bay.

Fourth quarter- Facing a 10 point deficit, Jordan Love took the field and the Packers continued to look a step ahead of the Bucs’ defense. Love moved the Green Bay offense into field goal range with an effortless poise. 27-20.

With the ball back in his court, Baker Mayfield remained unrelenting with third-down pass to David Moore and the rest…

In Tampa Bay’s biggest game of the season, the Bucs were able to go on the road and take on the Green Bay Packers. The Bucs will be heading home with a 14-point victory, against a very good Green Bay team. The Bucs are atop the NFC South, on a three game winning streak, and this win solidifies that.

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