On Potawatomi Sportsbook Football Monday, the Packers are 2-2 after a 17-14 win over Tampa Bay, but the record doesn’t tell the whole story. Green Bay led 17-7 entering the fourth quarter before a Kaleb Johnson fumble and Jordan Love interception gave the Buccaneers life. The defense ultimately slammed the door, but Greg Matzek and Gary Ellerson debate whether the Packers are showing resilience or simply surviving problems that will eventually catch up with them.
The numbers paint an alarming picture. Green Bay is last in the NFL in virtually every major rushing category with only 232 yards through four games, while also leading the league in penalties, drops and fumbles. The offensive line did take a significant step forward with a season-best 53% Pass Block Win Rate, but Tampa Bay blitzed just 17% of the time after entering the game with a 44% blitz rate. Jason Wilde joins the show to discuss whether the improved protection was legitimate, how much confidence anyone should have in this 2-2 team and whether the Packers can continue surviving their mounting injury problems.
Then it’s time to grade a defense that continues giving Green Bay a chance. Edgerrin Cooper was dominant before suffering another devastating season-ending injury, finishing with nine tackles, a sack and an interception. Evan Williams stepped up with another impact performance, including repeated pressure on Tampa Bay’s final possession, while Javon Hargrave, Lukas Van Ness and Brenton Cox Jr. helped generate pressure up front. The question now becomes whether this defense can continue carrying the load without Cooper and Micah Parsons.
Plus, the guys hand out their winners and losers, debate whether Green Bay is actually a playoff team and look ahead to Packers-Bears at Lambeau Field. Chicago enters 3-1 after dominating the Jets with 492 total yards, 232 rushing yards and more than 42 minutes of possession. With Kyle Monangai coming off 146 yards and two touchdowns, the matchup is crystal clear: can Green Bay stop the run without Cooper, and can Love and the offense finally give the defense some margin for error?