Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (0) grabs a pass for a touchdown as Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Keionte Scott (22) defends during the first half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday.
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In 1980, the Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers played to an unsightly, almost hideous 14-14 tie.
In 1984, the Packers and Buccaneers combined for nine turnovers in a game won by the Tampa Bay, 30-27. And in 1989, Tampa Bay quarterback Vinny Testaverde threw five interceptions in a 17-16 Green Bay win.
Shortly thereafter, ESPN’s Chris Berman labeled this rivalry the “Bay of Pigs.”
Things were just as ugly Sunday.
Two of the NFL’s most disappointing teams in 2026 did just what you’d expect — played largely unattractive football. The Packers found a way to win this eyesore, though, 17-14, despite two costly fourth quarter turnovers that kept Tampa Bay in the game.
Green Bay improved to 2-2, while the Buccaneers — who were playing with undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels — fell to 0-4. The Packers’ two wins have come against Tampa Bay and the New York Jets, who are a combined 1-7.
Here’s the good, bad and ugly from Green Bay’s win.
THE GOOD
EVAN WILLIAMS: Green Bay’s third-year safety showed why he’s one of the young stars at his position.
Williams had an early interception that set up a Green Bay touchdown. Then with the Packers protecting a 17-14 lead in the final two minutes, Williams had a sack of Daniels and also pressured him on a fourth-and-11 that led to an incomplete pass.
EDGERRIN COOPER: Tampa Bay was driving for a go-ahead score as the first half was winding down. Instead, linebacker Edgerrin Cooper made a terrific read, intercepted Daniels and returned it to the Tampa Bay 44-yard line.
After two short passes, Green Bay rookie kicker Trey Smack drilled a 58-yard field goal as the first half expired giving Green Bay a 10-7 lead.
SIGNS OF LIFE: The Packers entered the day averaging just 48.7 rushing yards per game. That was lowest of the Super Bowl-era.
Against the Buccaneers, though, Green Bay had a season-high 86 rushing yards on 25 carries — an average of 4.5 yards per attempt.
Green Bay’s Kaleb Johnson led the way with 42 yards on eight carries (5.3) and had a 31-yard run, which was the Packers’ longest of the season. Chris Brooks added 30 yards on four carries (7.5) highlighted by a 27-yard run.
In the first quarter alone, Green Bay had 53 rushing yards, which was more than its season average.
GRINDING IT OUT: The Packers put together a 16-play, 68-yard touchdown drive that gobbled up 9 minutes, 16 seconds and gave them a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter. Matthew Golden finished the march with a 2-yard touchdown reception from Jordan Love.
Chris Brooks had a 27-yard run during the drive and the Packers converted three fourth downs. On one, Tucker Kraft had a 3-yard run on fourth-and-1. Love then hit Golden in the right corner of the endzone on fourth-and-goal from the 2.
MATTHEW GOLDEN: The Packers’ emerging second year wide receiver had just one touchdown in 2025 — and that came in Green Bay’s playoff loss to Chicago.
Golden had the first regular season touchdown of his career in a Week 3 loss to Atlanta, then had a 2-yard TD catch against Tampa Bay.
Golden finished the day with three catches for 21 yards.
THIS AND THAT: Edgerrin Cooper stopped quarterback Jalon Daniels for no gain on a third-and-2 on Tampa Bay’s opening possession. … Tucker Kraft had a season-high six catches for 42 yards and his first TD of the year. … Quarterback Jordan Love, who was hit more than any player in football the first three games, wasn’t sacked.
THE BAD
BUTTER FINGERS: Bo Melton dropped what would have been a 35-yard reception on the Packers’ opening possession. Later, Tucker Kraft dropped what would have been a 3-yard touchdown reception.
Quarterback Jordan Love was sharp throughout much of the game, but his receivers didn’t do him a whole lot of favors.
FLAG DAY: Green Bay, on pace to set an NFL record for the most penalties in a season, had an illegal formation penalty on the opening kickoff. The flags didn’t stop either as the Packers finished with 10 penalties for 68 yards.
Newly signed guard Laken Tomlinson had two penalties, including a holding call. Guard Travis Glover had a holding call, as well.
THIS AND THAT: Punter Daniel Whelan hit a 30-yard dud in the second quarter that allowed Tampa Bay to start at its own 46. … Defensive end Barryn Sorrell lost contain and Tampa Bay quarterback Jalon Daniels ripped off a 9-yard run to the Packers’ 2-yard line. One play later, running back Sean Tucker had a 2-yard TD run that tied the game, 7-7.
THE UGLY
KILLER LOSS: With Micah Parsons still out with an ACL tear suffered in Dec., 2025, third-year linebacker Edgerrin Cooper was Green Bay’s best defensive player.
Unfortunately for the Packers, they might be without Cooper now for quite some time.
Cooper suffered an Achilles injury on a non-contact play in the third quarter. He then left on a cart.
Cooper entered Sunday’s game second on the team with 21 tackles through three games, and had two sacks and six tackles for loss. Cooper had nine tackles, a sack and an interception in just more than two quarters Sunday before going down.
Veteran Isaiah McDuffie replaced Cooper.
FOURTH QUARTER FOLLIES: No team in football has blown more fourth quarter leads the last 12 months than Green Bay. And the Packers tried to do it again Sunday.
Running back Kaleb Johnson fumbled at the Tampa Bay 1-yard line with 8 minutes left and Green Bay leading, 17-14. And after the Packers forced a punt, Love was intercepted by Tampa Bay’s Jacob Parrish.
Had the Packers been facing almost anyone except the hapless Bucs and their inexperienced quarterback, those foibles might have cost them. On this day, though, Green Bay found a way to escape.
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