Live game blog: Packers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Join Tom Silverstein for lively discussion and Q&A as the Packers take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at noon Sunday at Lambeau Field.

3rd & 7 37yd

Hey everyone, welcome to the live blog. It's a beautiful day for football. Sun is out, temperatures in the mid-40s. Perfect weather.

by Tom Silverstein 12/3/2017 5:38:26 PM
OK, I'm back. Sorry, a technology glitch.

by Tom Silverstein 12/3/2017 5:41:27 PM
Hey Tom, Packers have a chance at playoffs if they win out

by Anthony P 12/3/2017 5:41:32 PM
Yes, they do. Not a bad chance at all, actually.

by Tom Silverstein 12/3/2017 5:41:47 PM
GB needs to back up last weeks competitive showing with a victory at home vs a mediocre opponent no matter who the QB is. Right?

by Rob 12/3/2017 5:41:53 PM
Yes.

by Tom Silverstein 12/3/2017 5:41:58 PM
Tom, given that the competition isn't the greatest, what can we watch today that will help us understand if the Packers are making strides on defense? Or will it be masked by the quality of the opponent?

by Mike 12/3/2017 5:42:05 PM
I want to see how they handle Mike Evans. If they're still giving up big plays, then we know something is wrong. Also, let's see if the run defense can be dominant. It should be.

by Tom Silverstein 12/3/2017 5:42:44 PM
Morning Tom, Lets do this!!

by Ronskd 12/3/2017 5:42:47 PM
Good Morning Tom from California. Does the team seem more positive now that Rodgers is practicing and do you think it will give the team a boost today?

by Michael P 12/3/2017 5:42:51 PM
I think that's a big reason why they had him throw before the game at Pittsburgh and why they practiced him Saturday. It does give the team some ray of hope and probably lifts their spirits.

by Tom Silverstein 12/3/2017 5:43:30 PM
Thanks as always Tom. What is the real story with Michael Clark? GB certainly doesn't need another WR with Davis, Janis and Allison seeing little time on offense. Was another team trying to sign him?

by Caber 12/3/2017 5:43:39 PM
My guess is that Clark got an offer from another team to go on their 53-man roster and they didn't want to lose him.

by Tom Silverstein 12/3/2017 5:44:03 PM
Tom, real surprised to see the return of K. Clark for GB! I sure hope they tested that ankle in practice. If he re-injures it, could be lost for the stretch.

by PackerSteve 12/3/2017 5:44:15 PM
Hey Tom, great blog. Packers fans in Rhode Island hoping for a 5-0 run to make it interesting. Give us some W-cubed ... Wisconsin Words of Wisdom.

by Mike Stenhouse 12/3/2017 5:44:58 PM
I'm brewing beer this afternoon, Tom, but I'm taking my laptop into the garage so I can follow you and the game. Be good, I'm depending on you!

by Mike 12/3/2017 5:45:04 PM
Tom, does MM trusts Hundley to mostly pass on their opening drive?

by Anthony P 12/3/2017 5:45:08 PM
They did. But I'm skeptical as well. I can't believe he's playing two weeks after suffering that injury. It's pretty miraculous. We'll see how long he lasts.

by Tom Silverstein 12/3/2017 5:45:10 PM
They do, but they need to establish the run and take some pressure off Hundley. They don't have to run it all the time, but they're going to need Williams and Jones to get some tough yards in the weeks to come. Might as well see if they can do it against a decent run defense.

by Tom Silverstein 12/3/2017 5:46:03 PM
Thanks for not being a paper tiger, Tom, and for the blog. Did another team come looking to add Michael Clark to their 53, or is his promotion strictly based on his practice squad development?

by Peoria Pack 12/3/2017 5:46:08 PM
That's my guess. I'll try to confirm it with him after the game.

by Tom Silverstein 12/3/2017 5:46:21 PM
Hello from Florida Tom! How much do you expect Jones to play today?

by FMCH 12/3/2017 5:46:23 PM
Is this the healthiest (besides Rodgers being out), they have been since week 1?

by Bongo 12/3/2017 5:47:16 PM
Sparingly unless he somehow looks like his old self. I'm guessing a couple of series at most. But if he gets hot, they might just ride him a little.

by Tom Silverstein 12/3/2017 5:47:19 PM
I think it's pretty close. They've got most of their starters healthy.

by Tom Silverstein 12/3/2017 5:47:43 PM
To me - defense improvement is all about the pass rush consistently getting home. We need to see improvement there to make a run

by AKPackFan 12/3/2017 5:47:47 PM
Good to have Matthews and Clark back on defense but we still play too many plays with ten on the field simply because HHCD lines up thirty yards from the ball. WTch how many passes are complete in the 15 to 20 yard range. Single high or two deep coverage makes no difference if he is in no mans land

by Jerry 12/3/2017 5:48:10 PM
Tom: Is Winston Active.

by PackerBacker50 12/3/2017 5:48:15 PM
Yes, he's starting.

by Tom Silverstein 12/3/2017 5:48:24 PM
If the OLBs can't take advantage with the Tampa OL in shambles what other options are there?

by Caber 12/3/2017 5:48:55 PM
None. Zero. Zilch. I mean they're playing a right tackle who has about 20 snaps played this year.

by Tom Silverstein 12/3/2017 5:49:27 PM
Clark is interesting but will we need McCAffery next year in the slot? Should he get reps this year?

by RTL in CA 12/3/2017 5:50:06 PM
No. Clark is a much more explosive athlete. McCaffrey isn't going anywhere. If they want him back he'll be available. He needs to continue working in the weight room

by Tom Silverstein 12/3/2017 5:50:41 PM
Would you agree a big issue on Def is the blitz not getting home? This has been a problem for years. Is this a Capers issue or personnel issue?

by Caber 12/3/2017 5:51:02 PM
I don't think it's the blitz as much as it is the front four. When they blitz, they're not bad. But it puts their secondary at risk. They need to rush four and get some pressure.

by Tom Silverstein 12/3/2017 5:51:44 PM
Tom, we’re the breakdowns covering Brown a result of the need to “simplify” the defense or continued blown coverages? It just seems like they’re vulnerable to big plays the last 5 or 6 years.

by Pete in Dayton 12/3/2017 5:51:52 PM
It wasn't blown coverages per se, it was bad technique, a lack of speed and Kevin King's injury. Brown made some phenomenal catches, but the coverage could have been tighter. The safeties need to play better.

by Tom Silverstein 12/3/2017 5:53:01 PM
I thought they played Brown as well as can be expected last week.

by AKPackFan 12/3/2017 5:53:08 PM
does a vikings for falcons win help the pack more in their bid for the playoffs?

by pack is back 12/3/2017 5:53:14 PM
Vikings win.

by Tom Silverstein 12/3/2017 5:53:55 PM
I love how honest HHCD is with his play. GOD Forbid he actually makes an athletic play once and a while..

by GRIDIRONCoach 12/3/2017 5:54:00 PM
A lot of our blitzes are from secondary 10 yards off line of scrimmage and the ball is gone before they can get home

by Jerry 12/3/2017 5:54:05 PM
Doesn't Silverstein Rule anymore?

by PackerBacker50 12/3/2017 5:54:08 PM
Tom, I watch Leroy and you on the podcast. He likes this defensive scheme even tho it really seems to always fail in big games. Would you be in favor of a different system?

by Neenah Steve 12/3/2017 5:54:21 PM
The system isn't the problem. There aren't many bad systems in the NFL. It's the talent, the fit and the teaching.

by Tom Silverstein 12/3/2017 5:54:51 PM