Packers vs. Bucs preview: Daniels’ bold first start at 0-3

Dustin Judge
Buccaneers cornerback Kindle Vildor at Raymond James Stadium before the Packers vs. Bucs preview

Tampa Bay is turning to an undrafted rookie quarterback in a game it badly needs. The Green Bay Packers (1-2) visit the winless Buccaneers (0-3) on Sunday, and Jalon Daniels is set to make his first NFL start with Baker Mayfield out. This Packers vs. Bucs preview covers the quarterback change, the injuries and the matchup that could decide the game.

Packers vs. Bucs preview: game information

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Oct. 4, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. FOX will broadcast the game, according to the Buccaneers’ game preview.

Can Jalon Daniels spark the Buccaneers?

The biggest storyline in this Packers vs. Bucs preview is the quarterback change. Mayfield dislocated his right thumb in Tampa Bay’s 23-16 loss to Minnesota and is expected to miss at least three games, according to Outkick. Daniels, a Kansas product, won the backup job in the preseason.

Pewter Report noted that Daniels will be the first undrafted rookie quarterback to start a game in Bucs history and that the team has not started a backup quarterback since 2018. In the preseason he threw for 239 yards and a touchdown and added 37 rushing yards and a score, the team said.

Coach Todd Bowles kept the message simple. Daniels is “not playing by himself,” Bowles said, and “he’s got to play and just do his job.”

The defense gave the offense something to build on last week. Tampa Bay held Minnesota to 230 total yards, per the team’s preview. A loss Sunday would drop the Buccaneers to 0-4.

Can the Packers fix their offense?

Green Bay arrives off a 35-14 home loss to Atlanta last Thursday. Quarterback Jordan Love has 844 passing yards through three games but has been sacked eight times, and the Packers rank last in the NFL in rushing offense, according to Pewter Report.

The passing game does have a bright spot. Receiver Christian Watson has 17 catches for 284 yards and four touchdowns, fifth in the league in receiving yards, the Buccaneers’ website reported. Green Bay is without Jayden Reed, who is out for the season with a neck injury. Read more in our report on Reed’s season-ending neck injury (also reported by Yahoo Sports), and see how the front five is holding up in our look at the Packers’ offensive line injuries.

Key matchup: Watson vs. Zyon McCollum

Cornerback Zyon McCollum is expected to shadow Watson. Among cornerbacks with at least 100 coverage snaps this season, McCollum has allowed a 69.3 passer rating when targeted, ninth lowest in the NFL, the Buccaneers’ site noted. The winner of that matchup could decide the Packers vs. Bucs preview outcome.

Packers vs. Bucs preview: injuries to watch

Running back Bucky Irving has a glute injury and was limited in practice, but he is expected to play, per Pewter Report. Tampa Bay has also dealt with injuries elsewhere, including receiver Jalen McMillan’s.

In short, a Packers win would ease some pressure after a rough start, while a Buccaneers win would keep their season from sliding further before Mayfield returns. That is the heart of this Packers vs. Bucs preview. Reporting from the Buccaneers, Pewter Report, Outkick and Yahoo Sports informed this story.

Dustin Judge is the Founder and CEO of Total Apex Media, bringing more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience to the company's growing network of digital publications. He specializes in sports, sports betting, fantasy sports, and digital publishing, with a focus on producing accurate, timely, and engaging content for readers. Dustin oversees editorial strategy, content development, and publishing operations across Total Apex Media while remaining actively involved in sports, betting, and fantasy sports coverage.