The Green Bay Packers mostly dominated the first half before losing the lead and starting quarterback Jordan Love early in the second half, but an inspired effort from Josh Jacobs and Malik Willis helped Matt LaFleur’s team escape with a 30-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
The Packers are now 6-2 — including a perfect 4-0 record against the AFC South. Willis played a big role in three of the four wins against his former division.
Here are the stars, studs and duds from the Packers’ Week 8 win over the Jaguars:
Stars
RB Josh Jacobs: He created almost 100 yards after first contact, consistently broke tackles at the line of scrimmage or the second level and produced a 38-yard touchdown run after cutting back and forcing two misses in the open field. When the tide turned and Jordan Love went out, the Packers rode Jacobs, and he drove them back into the lead. The veteran back finished with 127 yards and two scores. He kept the Packers on schedule, had explosive runs and powered the offense once Malik Willis entered the game.
Studs
TE Tucker Kraft: He found space on an extended play, broke a tackle in the open field and raced for a 67-yard gain in the first half, setting up a score. In the fourth quarter, he caught his team-high fifth touchdown pass of the season on a well-designed play-action fake. All three of his catches gained a first down or produced a score. Productive as a receiver, Kraft was also excellent as a blocker. He continues to be terrific at finding second-level defenders as a blocker on the move. Also, watch back the 51-yard completion to Jayden Reed on the final drive — Kraft blocked Travon Walker on the edge.
QB Malik Willis: Leading a game-winning drive as a backup quarterback is an automatic “stud” placement. Willis not only hit Jayden Reed on a 51-yard pass off a “can” audible to set up the game-winning score, but he connected with Dontayvion Wicks for a third down conversion and scrambled 20 yards on the go-ahead scoring drive in the third quarter. He also hit Kraft on a touchdown pass, and he would have finished a perfect 5-for-5 passing had Romeo Doubs not dropped a pass.
LB Edgerrin Cooper: His strip-sack of Trevor Lawrence changed the game. The rookie beat the block attempt of the center and then swiped the ball out of Lawrence’s hands, creating a turnover. Later, Cooper showed off all-world athleticism by chasing down Christian Kirk down the seam and breaking up a pass — which would have been an explosive play — on third down.
Duds
DB Javon Bullard: Sunday showed why playing Bullard in the slot and at safety is a risky game. After practicing all week for a role in the slot, Bullard had to get moved mid-game to full-time safety, and he struggled. The rookie missed two tackles, including one on an explosive run from Tank Bigsby, and he gave up four catches for 63 yards, including a pair of catches and the touchdown pass to Brian Thomas Jr. on a go-ahead drive in the second half. The Packers have put a lot on Bullard’s plate, and it’s fair to wonder if a more specialized role makes more sense.