Sunday's 17-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wasn't a pretty one for the Green Bay Packers
, but Matt LaFleur's isn't in the style points business to start the 2026 season. The hard-fought victory in hot and humid conditions at Raymond James Stadium allowed the Packers to avoid a 1-3 start and sent LaFleur's team back to Green Bay with an even 2-2 record after playing three road games in the first four of the year.This Packers team still has a long way to go, and an uneven, three-point win over a winless team with an undrafted rookie quarterback under center isn't going to convert many believers. But the Packers did what needed to be done, escaping with a win and showing real improvement up front along the offensive line. The big question
moving forward is if more injuries, including one significant injury to a key player, will make this a pyrrhic victory.
Three big things from the Packers' win over the Buccaneers:
1. Can Packers overcome another big injury?
The Packers are expecting linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, who was enjoying a Pro Bowl-caliber start to his 2026 season, to miss the rest of the season after suffering what is believed to be an Achilles tendon tear. It is a devastating injury to another important player in Green Bay. Cooper is a true difference maker; in just the first half alone, he had a sack on third down, a tackle short of the sticks on third down and maybe the game's biggest play, a point-swinging interception late in the second quarter. The Packers will eventually return Micah Parsons, but can Jonathan Gannon's defense handle losing one of the game's best playmaking linebackers? Cooper will likely join slot receiver Jayden Reed and right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele as players on injured reserve with season-ending injuries. Teams need to overcome injury adversity, but typically the best teams are the healthiest teams. These early-season injuries have lowered the Packers' ceiling in 2026. Maybe drastically.
2. Evan Williams saves the day
Packers safety Evan Williams did his best impression of Hall of Famer LeRoy Butler, producing a first-half interception, a pass break up in coverage, a huge sack on the Buccaneers' final drive and the game-saving pressure on fourth down. His takeaway in the first quarter set up Green Bay's first touchdown drive and a 7-0 lead. He later saved the day for the defense, sacking Jalon Daniels on second down after the Bucs got into Packers territory late, and he helped the Packers call game by pressuring and then affecting Daniels on his desperation throw on 4th-and-11. Butler was once a rarity in the pro game as a safety who could affect the passing game in both coverage and as a blitzer. Williams wears No. 33 but looked like the old No. 36 on Sunday in Tampa Bay. Weaponizing Williams as a downhill player might be required with Cooper likely to miss the rest of the season, and Gannon now has proof of concept with Williams as a blitzer.
3. Offensive line shows signs of life
The Packers didn't have Kevin Zeitler, who was inactive after arriving in Green Bay on Wednesday, but Laken Tomlinson's debut at left guard and the first start for Travis Glover at right guard helped the Packers make real progress along the offensive line against the Bucs. Jordan Love didn't take a sack and was hit only twice, and the Packers quarterback admitted he felt the difference in the pocket. The run game was up and down but finished with 86 total yards and two runs over 25 yards, including a 31-yarder from Kaleb Johnson setting up a touchdown. Of all the things the Packers needed on Sunday, a win and improvement from the offensive line sat at the very top of the list. Mission accomplished. If Zeitler's debut helps the Packers take another step forward, the offensive line might end up being a competent unit in 2026. Just keep in mind: the Bucs came into Sunday with one of the worst pressure rates in football, and first-round pick Reuben Bain Jr. didn't play. Time will tell if this performance was a sign of things to come or a mirage in the Florida sun.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: 3 big things from Packers' win over Bucs: Overcoming another injury
