Ninety minutes before kickoff, both teams posted their inactives. As per usual, we first send it over to Scott Smith to give us insights into the Bucs' Sunday lineup.
The Packers won the toss and elected to receive. Big stops on three straight run calls got the Bucs defense off the field in just three downs.
Wow. Three runs by the Packers net just nine yards. #Bucs stop lacy on third and 1. Packers to punt. Bobby Rainey to return. — Rick Brown (@LedgeronBucs) December 21, 2014
The Buccaneers offense took the field, but would also leave after just one set of downs. During the break, Raymond James Stadium erupted in a touching soldier homecoming surprise.
Green Bay's offense again went out, this time moving into Bucs territory before a big Buccaneers defensive play and the game's first challenge.
Holy Smokes Batman! Michael Johnson gets a sack. He is BALLING! #Bucs — Rick Brown (@LedgeronBucs) December 21, 2014
The Bucs took over from their 45-yardline, but heavy pressure from the Green Bay front forced another punt after three plays.
Packers swarm through the right side to sack McCown. Third and 20 at the 35. Screen is tipped incomplete. #Bucs to punt. — Rick Brown (@LedgeronBucs) December 21, 2014
Green Bay would begin their third drive of the day from their own 25-yard line before RB Eddie Lacy took the ball to midfield on a 20-yard run. Holding on the next play would back the Packers up 10 yards and the Bucs defense would make another strong stand.
On their third series, the Buccaneers offense would have their third three-and-out, punting it back to Green Bay who would start from their 18-yard line.
The Packers offense would drive into Buccaneers territory for the second time of the day on a third-down conversion before finding the game's first points.
The next Buccaneers possession would be another three-and-out and take the game into the second quarter. The Packers would drive to the Bucs 27-yard line, but the defense would again make a big stand and force a field goal try.
The Bucs offense again just couldn't get things moving, punting away to the Packers again. Green Bay would start from their 25.
Green Bay would cap a nine-play, 51-yard drive with three points, giving them the 10-0 lead.
Despite falling behind on a 10-yard holding penalty, Mike Evans put up the team's first first down on a 22-yard gain from Josh McCown, three plays later, the Bucs moved into Packer territory.
With two minutes left the Bucs had the ball at their own 22-yard line.
Third-down, 20-yard line, 17 seconds on the clock.
The Buccaneers would take the second half's opening kickoff but be forced to punt. Green Bay, starting from their 33, concocted another long drive, taking it down to the one-yard line.
With crowd chanting Kuhn, Lavonte David said, not in my house and stops crowd favorite. Fourth and goal at the 1. #Bucs — Rick Brown (@LedgeronBucs) December 21, 2014
The offense started at their one-yard line after the goal line stand. Facing third-and-nine:
McCown would be sacked on the next third down, forcing a Buccaneer punt. A penalty would set the Packers up to begin at the 37-yard line.
Green Bay would create another long drive, getting down to the Bucs' seven-yard line, but again the defense made the critical stop, allowing just a field goal.
The Bucs would start their next drive and move the chains with another third-down Vincent Jackson grab.
But the drive would stall with back-to-back sacks on McCown. Green Bay would take over at their 29-yard line. First downs from Kuhn and Quarless moved the Packers into Bucs' territory, a 30-yarder to Cobb would move them into the Bucs red zone.
The Bucs would get it back with 2:45 to play, down 20-3. Mike Evans hauled in a 10-yard pass for a first down, but the Packers would get the ball back.
