Josh Jacobs rushes for 139 yards as Green Bay Packers edge Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-17 in Week 4

Tampa, FL - Josh Jacobs gave Green Bay its most productive performance of the afternoon, Kaleb Johnson finished two possessions in the end zone, and the Packers emerged with a 20-17 Week 4 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Green Bay built an advantage and spent much of the game protecting it as Tampa Bay continued to apply pressure through the passing game. The Packers never created enough separation to make the outcome comfortable, but they remained in front of a Buccaneers team that finished with more passing yards and converted at a higher rate on third down.

The clearest statistical difference came on the ground. Green Bay rushed for 196 yards compared with Tampa Bay's 63, with Jacobs accounting for 139 yards on 18 carries. His longest run covered 27 yards, and his average of more than seven yards per attempt gave the Packers a steady source of production throughout the game.

Johnson provided the scoring production out of the backfield. He carried 14 times for 61 yards and scored both of Green Bay's touchdowns, even though none of his runs went longer than eight yards. Together, Jacobs and Johnson accounted for all 196 of the Packers' rushing yards.

"You want every carry to move the offense in the right direction," Jacobs said. "I thought we stayed patient with it. It wasn't about chasing one big run. It was about continuing to take what was there and putting together a complete rushing day."

Jordan Love operated a more compact passing game, completing 15 of 24 attempts for 152 yards and an 80.5 passer rating. He did not record a passing touchdown, but Green Bay finished with 348 offensive yards and 15 first downs while complementing its rushing total with timely gains through the air.

Tucker Kraft was Love's leading receiver with six catches for 72 yards, including a 24-yard reception. Christian Watson added three catches for 43 yards. Green Bay's longest completion belonged to Matthew Golden, whose lone catch went for 28 yards.

"There are going to be games where the run game is producing and you don't need to force the ball all over the field," Love said. "My job is to stay composed, take the completions that are available and keep us organized. Getting out of here with a win is the part that matters."

The Packers reached the red zone three times and came away with two touchdowns and a field goal. Tampa Bay also made three red-zone trips, scoring one touchdown and one field goal. Green Bay converted 4 of 12 third downs and failed on its lone fourth-down attempt, while the Buccaneers went 7 of 15 on third down and 1 of 2 on fourth down.

Tampa Bay's strongest work came through Baker Mayfield and Chris Godwin Jr. Mayfield completed 27 of 40 passes for 263 yards, two touchdowns and a 102.3 passer rating. Godwin handled a heavy share of that production, catching 12 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown. His longest reception went for 25 yards.

Emeka Egbuka caught Mayfield's other touchdown pass and finished with seven receptions for 51 yards. The Buccaneers generated 326 offensive yards and 14 first downs despite receiving limited production from their rushing attack. Bucky Irving had 55 yards on 19 carries, with a long of eight yards, while Mayfield added eight yards on two attempts.

The contrast between Tampa Bay's passing success and Green Bay's rushing output gave the game its shape. The Buccaneers continued to narrow the margin without overtaking the Packers, and the final score reflected a game in which neither side produced sustained separation.

"We had stretches where the passing game was moving and guys were getting involved," Mayfield said. "Chris gave us a lot, Emeka finished a couple of opportunities, and we put 17 on the board. But when you lose by three, you look at the chances you didn't finish and know there was more available."

Godwin's 12 catches represented nearly half of Mayfield's 27 completions. His 146 receiving yards also accounted for more than half of Tampa Bay's passing total.

"When the ball comes your way that often, you want the result to match the production," Godwin said. "There were positive things in the way we moved it through the air, but nobody is satisfied walking away from a three-point loss."

Green Bay's defense recorded three sacks. Micah Parsons finished with 1.5, while Edgerrin Cooper had one sack and forced a fumble. Tampa Bay registered two sacks, and neither defense recorded an interception.

The Packers finished with 22 more offensive yards despite Tampa Bay holding a 111-yard advantage in passing. Green Bay's 133-yard edge on the ground supplied the defining statistical contrast, and the Packers left Tampa with the 20-17 result.

Up Next

Green Bay will return home in Week 5 to host the Chicago Bears, while Tampa Bay will travel to face the Dallas Cowboys and look to rebound from the loss.