The Green Bay Packers face a high-stakes crossroads against a winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers squad starting a rookie quarterback. Survival hinges on a battle of struggling offensive lines at Raymond James Stadium.
There's no two ways about it. This is a must-win game for the Green Bay Packers here in Week 4.
A loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be more than just a loss. That's not meant to be disrespectful to the Bucs, but they're coming into this one as a 0-3 squad with their backup quarterback.
Baker Mayfield is out with a thumb injury, so it's not just any backup quarterback either; it's rookie undrafted free agent Jalon Daniels.
There's a reason the Packers are a road favorite in this one, even coming off their disastrous Thursday Night Football loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
A loss here would drop the Packers to 1-3, and the bottom could very well fall out for this team. A win brings them back to .500 at least, and then they can think about trying to turn this disastrous start to the 2026 season around.
There's a ton on the line for both teams. Here's everything (else) you need to know.
Packers vs. Buccaneers Week 4 Preview:
USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect.Location:
Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
Game Time:
12:00 PM Lambeau Time
TV Channel:
FOX
Packers Injury Report:
Questionable: Jager Burton (Groin)
Out: Aaron Banks (Knee/Toe), Warren Brinson (Calf/Groin), Anthony Campbell (Ankle), Jacob Monk (Quadriceps)
Buccaneers Injury Report:
Questionable: SirVocea Dennis (Calf/Personal), Rekeem Nunez-Roches (Ankle/Foot), Jacob Parrish (Personal)
Out: Rueben Bain Jr. (Groin/Shoulder), Ko Kieft (Elbow), Baker Mayfield (Right Thumb), Benjamin Morrison (Quad)
Betting Odds:
Packers -3, per DraftKings
Key Matchup: Green Bay's offensive line vs. Tampa's offensive line
This not a head-to-head matchup but whichever of these two much-maligned units plays better in Week 4 will directly impact which team wins.
The Packers have been terrible on the offensive line and have required an overhaul. How effective that overhaul is and whether or not it actually makes a difference is yet to be seen.
Meanwhile, the Buccaneers have given up a league-worst 13 sacks and they saw Mayfield knocked out of action because of the six sacks he took in Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings.
This is the matchup of the "stoppable force" versus the "movable object", but something will have to give.
Key Quote: Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles on going into this game with Jalon Daniels at QB
“For us, it’s just trying to get a win," Bowles said, per the AP. "(Jalon Daniels) is not playing by himself. Everybody has to do their job. We’ve got to coach it the right way on both sides of the ball, including special teams. He’s got to play and just do his job. We’ve got 21 other guys that (are) going to be out there playing with him, so he’s not by himself. It’s (a) nervous (feeling) but it’s exciting at the same time because you get to see somebody play. No matter where you come from, your first NFL game has to come at some point, whether you’re a first-round pick or whether you’re a free agent. You’ve got to touch the field for the first time at some point, and then you’ve got to play. He’s just got to play.”
Prediction:
Packers 31, Buccaneers 10
