By Matt Mueller Culture Editor Published Sep 26, 2022 at 12:01 PM

What was supposed to be a superstar showcase of two offensive greats on Sunday was instead a sloppy slobberknocker highlighting two strong defenses. Not terrific if you love points – but definitely terrific if you love either the Green Bay or Tom Brady falling on his face, as the Packers sunk the Bucs, 14-12, in Tampa Bay. 

Both teams were missing multiple key offensive playmakers for Sunday's game – but you wouldn't have known that was the case for the Packers at the start. Rodgers and company looked incredibly in rhythm, taking a 14-3 lead and threatening to turn the day into a laugher before the half. Unfortunately, an Aaron Jones fumble at the goalline stopped that momentum, and the game remained no laughing matter as Green Bay's offense began to sputter and Tampa made a late charge. (As is always the case with Packers games.) Thankfully, though, Brady's Bucs never took complete advantage, and the Packers left Florida in much better spirits than the last time they visited the Sunshine State. 

It's difficult to come away from this game with too much perspective on where the Packers rank considering Tampa wasn't remotely close to playing with its full arsenal. But, as with beating the mediocre-at-best Bears last week, sometimes a win just has to mean a win – nothing more or less. And that's what the Packers did on Sunday.

Plus, Tom Brady was sad – and any day that Tom Brady's unhappy is a victory for America. So let's relive this glorious occasion one more time with these 11 cool images and moments from a sweat-inducing Packers win.

1. GOAT? More like GROAN

Greatness also apparently took Sunday off, as the alleged GOAT couldn't get anything going for the Buccaneers until the day's final fateful drive. Sure, Tampa was missing just about every wide receiver they had, starting guys who just slipped on a Bucs uniform five days ago, but the team has thus far only scored three offensive touchdowns through three games. Maybe he should think about making statements on the field more than statements with fashion. 

2. Yeah, I'm thinking I'm Bakh

David Bakhtiari
PHOTO: Evan Siegle/Packers.com
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After months upon months of false starts, setbacks and concerns about finished careers, Packers beast blocker David Bakhtiari finally took the field once again on Sunday – his first action since his sporadic appearance in last year's regular season finale against the Lions. It still wasn't entire back to normal on Sunday, as he was regularly swapped in and out to give his knee a gradual return to action. But the results? Rodgers was only sacked once during the game – and that takedown was more on him than the line. Now to anxiously see how Bakhtiari recovers this week ...

3. Rust removed (for a half, at least)

Aaron Rodgers
PHOTO: Evan Siegle/Packers.com
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Any concerns about the Pack's sloppy effort in the opener have mostly disappeared – especially during the first half of Sunday's game. Up against one of the best defenses in the league – and without receivers Sammy Watkins and Christian Watson – Rodgers and company looked totally at ease, moving the ball on the ground and through the air, and assembling some really excellent drives. The four-time MVP finished the first half a remarkable 15 of 18, with two touchdowns – plus what could've been a third. And as for the second half ... uh, how about that first half!?

4. No doubt about Doubs

Christian Watson may have been the higher draft pick, but fellow rookie Romeo Doubs had the higher stock after training camp. But that's just camp: How would he fare against real NFL competition? Answer: pretty damn good! Given a showcase role with several other pass catchers out, the rookie out of Nevada stepped up with his first breakout performance, catching all eight of his targets for 73 yards and his first NFL touchdown. Who needs Davante when you have Doubs, apparently?

5. A game-rattling play

The Packers were a literal yard away from making Sunday real easy – but that just wouldn't be the Green Bay way, would it? Instead, after a beautiful drive, Aaron Jones took a tough hit and fumbled the ball over to Tampa on the steps of a touchdown. Instead of taking a commanding 21-3 lead, the score remained 14-3 – and even worse, Tom Brady got the ball back with a chance to make things a game once again. And he doesn't miss those opportunities ...

6. Never mind!

We knew the script: The Packers fumbled away a huge opportunity, and now Tom Brady was going to surgically two-minute-drive it down the field and kill all the joy we had in that first half. But then, in a wild and unexpected twist, he didn't. Just as Tampa was driving into field goal territory at worst, rookie Quay Walker got a good hit on a receiver, forced a fumble and turned Jones' goalline turnover into a moot point. So sure, the Packers offensive momentum changed after that fumble – but at least the actual score didn't. 

7. A rare sight

What's more rare: a Halley's Comet sighting or seeing a quality Packers special teams play? Indeed, I think we'll all remember where we were when Pat O'Donnell got off a beautiful punt that low-key MVP of the game Keisean Nixon effortlessly downed at the nothing yard line. Hold on a second: Special teams can help WIN games? Not just lose them?! What a concept!

8. Greatness needs more time in the pocket

Because watching Tom Brady get sacked is fun for the whole family. My favorite part is after the play, how he just briefly sighs and slumps flat into the ground like he's wondering if maybe spending time with the family in retirement wasn't that horrifying of a concept. Anyways, I hope all the Windows tablets were safe and secure on the sideline after this play went awry ... 

9. Not today, Tampa Bay

As is tradition, the Packers made things nail-bitingly close at the end as the defense began slumping and giving up chunk plays at the absolute wrong time. (Matt LaFleur's Packers have to lead the NFL in points given up in the final two mintues, right?) The Buccaneers finally got their first touchdown with 14 seconds left to go – but thanks to De'Vondre Campbell's critical deflection on the two-point conversion, this soul-sucking Brady comeback was thankfully smothered out. TB12? More like TB2 points short. 

10. We'll meet again one last time

Rodgers and Brady
PHOTO: Evan Siegle/Packers.com
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It's quite possible Sunday marked the last time Brady and Rodgers – two of the best to play the game in my lifetime – would face each other on the football field. But I have a feeling they'll meet again in this potential final season for one or both of the QB stars – in the postseason, with much more on the line than a regular season W. Hopefully it goes better than their last postseason parry. 

11. Elsewhere ...

Sure, the Packers could've played better, certainly in the second half. But right now, it's about racking up wins – and that's what they did, against a foe that was simultaneously beatable but also still a big roadblock. The 14-12 victory wasn't as much of a standout showcase win as we'd maybe want – but it's still beating Tom Brady and a very good defense on the road, taking the Packers to 2-1 and tied for the NFC North lead.

Could be far worse. Could be, for instance, this guy:

Now, to see if the Packers can do America a solid and vanquish both Brady and Belichick in back-to-back weeks. 

Matt Mueller Culture Editor

As much as it is a gigantic cliché to say that one has always had a passion for film, Matt Mueller has always had a passion for film. Whether it was bringing in the latest movie reviews for his first grade show-and-tell or writing film reviews for the St. Norbert College Times as a high school student, Matt is way too obsessed with movies for his own good.

When he's not writing about the latest blockbuster or talking much too glowingly about "Piranha 3D," Matt can probably be found watching literally any sport (minus cricket) or working at - get this - a local movie theater. Or watching a movie. Yeah, he's probably watching a movie.