By Tori Wittenbrock
Associate Sports Editor
GREEN BAY – After an exciting three-game win streak earlier in the season, things seemed to be on the upswing for the Green Bay Packers.
However, in an important game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after an unexpected loss to the New York Giants, the Packers struggled defensively to hold back quarterback Baker Mayfield.
In the Packers’ 34-20 loss on Dec. 17, Mayfield threw for 381 passing yards and four touchdowns, bringing the Buccs’ record to 7-7.
Mayfield also completed 22 of 28 passes hitting a perfect passer rating of 158.3, which is a career high for the University of Oklahoma graduate.
After being gutted defensively, the Packers said that it’s time for them to get back to the drawing board and figure out how to get back in the swing of things.
“It’s tough when we are playing from behind the sticks like that,” said tight end Tucker Kraft. “I think that we are an unstoppable team when we can focus and execute and we are locked into our keys.”
Kraft was responsible for the Packers’ only lead of the game after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter.
Truly a learning year for the Packers, the youngest roster in the league has had their fair share of ups and downs on the season.
“We were starting slower earlier in the year — there’s no doubt about it — but the pre-snap penalties, the special teams penalties, the things that seem selfish at the time, they add up and that’s what keeps teams behind,” said Kraft.
However, the Packers said they have been working tirelessly to improve each week on their biggest weaknesses.
“That’s what changed, really. We went out there and we were playing for each other and we were executing. We just need to get back to that. We need to get back to the board and understand what’s going wrong, and obviously how we can turn it around.”
Outside linebacker Kingsley Enagbare said that he is hopeful that the team can put this game behind them, and go into the next one with more energy and drive to find a way to win.
“It was just one of those days where you can’t get a flow for the game,” said Enagbare.
Cornerback Carrington Valentine said that though the team has to look at the film before being able to analyze where everything went wrong, he knows that many of their mistakes could have been easily avoided.
“They just found spaces in the zone and attacked us in the zone. That’s what it was honestly,” said Valentine.
“In the moment, you can’t really dwell on the last play,” said Valentine. “You’ve got to push that frustration to the side.”
As one of the team’s most valuable players that has proven to grow into his role this season, Valentine said that it can be difficult to move on after allowing the opponent to convert on third down, but you have to put it out of your mind and go out and perform in the next play.
“You’ve got to win on third down and then buckle down. It is deflating, but you can’t think about it,” said Valentine.
“I mean we changed some things up and we went back to what we thought was going to work but you know, they just got the best of us today.”
All in all, Valentine said that the Packers need to look at the film and figure out how to improve before their next game against the Carolina Panthers (2-12) on Sunday, Dec. 24, in order to remain in playoff contention.
“They schemed up some good stuff. I know that sounds repetitive, but that’s just what it is. We’ve just got to get back to the drawing board and figure it out,” said Valentine.