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Buccaneers at Packers: Week 13 game-changers

By Bailey Adams

TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 12: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on from the sidelines during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Jets on November 12, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 12: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on from the sidelines during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Jets on November 12, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WI – OCTOBER 22: Nick Perry #53 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after recording a sack in the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field on October 22, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Nick Perry

It’s been a down year for the Packers, especially since the injury to Aaron Rodgers. The defense hasn’t been able to pick up the offense’s slack. However, Nick Perry is having a nice year as far as getting to the quarterback goes. He leads the team with seven sacks, while adding a forced fumble. His seven sacks are just under half of the sacks that Tampa Bay has as a team. As it stands, his seven sacks are about one-third of Green Bay’s total. His production can’t be ignored on Sunday afternoon.

The best players on each defense will likely shine on Sunday afternoon. Points could be at a premium, especially if Jameis Winston is still missing from the lineup. Perry will be an important player this week, especially if Green Bay is dialing up blitzes. The Buccaneers offensive line is banged up after Sunday’s loss to Atlanta. Even at its healthiest, the line was inconsistent. And with Doug Martin suffering from a concussion, will the Bucs have a reliable man in the backfield to pick up blitzes. The injury-plagued status and inconsistency of Tampa Bay might be an issue when it comes to containing Perry this weekend.

Without Martin, the Buccaneer run game becomes even more unclear. Jacquizz Rodgers, Charles Sims and Peyton Barber will have to piece things together if Martin can’t go, which isn’t ideal. If the Bucs can’t get going on the ground, it will make the passing game even more of a struggle than it already is. Perry and the rest of the unit, despite being 23rd in total defense, could exploit Tampa Bay’s offensive weaknesses on Sunday, which would make for a long afternoon.

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