The Green Bay Packers won the coin toss to start the game, electing to defer. The Bucs took the ball 75 yards down the field on their opening drive for a quick seven points. It was quarterback Jameis Winston, in his first game back from injury, who floated a 28-yard pass on third down and six to tight end Cameron Brate, who hauled it in with one hand for the score and putting the Bucs up 7-0 five minutes into the game.
The Packers put together a drive of their own, but wouldn't get past the Bucs' 19-yard line as Tampa Bay's defense held Green Bay to a 37-yard field goal on their ensuing possession.
With the score 7-3, the two teams would trade empty drives before rookie safety Justin Evans intercepted Packers' quarterback Brett Hundley and returned the ball 15 yards, with the Bucs taking over at their own 42-yard line. It was Evans' second interception in three weeks and his third of the season.
The Bucs would not capitalize and instead be forced to punt. Green Bay would start with the ball at their own 45-yard line after Packers' Jermaine Whitehead got a piece of Bryan Anger's punt. From there, the Packers needed just five plays before punching in their first touchdown of the game on a Jamaal Williams 1-yard touchdown run, making the score 10-7 in favor of the home team.
On the following drive, Jameis Winston took a sack, subsequently fumbling the ball. The fumble was scooped up by Packers' defensive end Dean Lowry and returned 62 yards for the score, extending Green Bay's lead to 17-7.
The Bucs got the ball back and took it just inside the red zone. They tacked on three points before the half expired on a Patrick Murray 36-yard field goal, leaving Tampa Bay trailing 17-10 at the end of the second quarter.
Green Bay will receive the ball to start the second half.
