It always feels a bit premature to call a Week 4 matchup a must-win victory, but that’s pretty much the case for both the Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

Especially the latter in the Buccaneers, who have yet to win a single game this season. The Packers were able to beat the New York Jets in overtime back in Week 2, but that’s their lone win of the year and the fact this matchup stays within the NFC carries extra weight, as well.

Well, it’s time to make some final score predictions for this week’s game now that practices have wrapped up and whatnot. Let’s waste no more time and dive right on in.

Packers offensive line holds the key to a Green Bay win

The most important thing in this game for the Packers is what the new offensive line will look like.

Based on how things went on practice throughout the week, it certainly feels like Laken Tomlinson will start at left guard, and Kevin Zeitler also has a good shot at playing at the right guard spot. That level of competency is a massive upgrade over what the Packers have had with guys like Jacob Monk, Donovan Jennings, and Jager Burton.

Aaron Banks, Monk, and defensive tackles Warren Brinson and Anthony Campbell are all most likely out of the game, which could create some depth issues upfront on both sides of the ball. But if the starting group can reasonably protect Jordan Love and get the running game going at least a little bit, it’s fair to expect a massive improvement compared to the previous three games.

Wide receivers Christian Watson and Matthew Golden have been the bright side of the offense, and against a banged up Bucs’ secondary, they can produce. On defense, Lukas Van Ness has generated pressure consistently while also setting the edge at a good level, which is particularly important against a rookie quarterback in Jalon Daniels who likes to get out of the pocket.

Under all these circumstances, I will take the Packers to win the game. But the Bucs’ defense can still create big problems for Green Bay with a blitz-heavy approach. – Wendell Ferreira

Final Score Prediction: Packers 21, Buccaneers 17

Buccaneers defense will be the driving force behind a win (with Bucky Irving sprinkled in)

The dysfunction surrounding the Packers offensive line is impossible to ignore. From the Buccaneers POV, it’s a weak spot that has to be exploited.

And I think Vita Vea and Co. will do just that.

Todd Bowles is going to dial up a ton of pressure/blitzes that should cause chaos across the front five and the keys with this train of thought are twofold: A) The Packers’ pass protection hasn’t been good through three and games and B) The offense is mistake-prone when it comes to penalties.

The Packers have eight offensive holding calls, which is well above the league average of 4.75 through three games (prior to Thursday night’s Pittsburgh Steelers-Cleveland Browns matchup) and has five false starts, which is also above the league average of 4.09, per NFLpenalties.com.

Therefore, I think Bowles and Co. get after it on defense and that will not only lead to plays from the defense, but mistakes by the Packers offense. That should be enough to keep them behind the chains for most of the day and out of the end zone, which is exactly what the Buccaneers offense needs with Jalon Daniels at the helm.

And speaking of the offense, I think Bucky Irving has a big game that helps propel the Buccaneers to its first win of the season. The Buccaneers’ rushing attack has generated plenty of pop over the last three weeks – the issue is Zac Robinson just hasn’t stuck with it like he should.

With Daniels behind center, I think Robinson finally leans on the true strength of the offense and Irving will take advantage of it. The Buccaneers can ultimately play keep away and force Love on the sidelines. That will make the ultimate difference in their first win of the season. – Evan Winter

Final Score Prediction: Buccaneers 17, Packers 13