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Breaking down the Packers’ 36-19 win over the Bengals in the preseason opener.
The Green Bay Packers opened the preseason in 2023 with a convincing win over the Cincinnati Bengals, using touchdown passes from Jordan Love and Sean Clifford and a pair of scores from undrafted rookie Emanuel Wilson to race past the Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Friday night.
An instant analysis and recap of the Packers’ preseason-opening win in Cincinnati:
The Packers are sitting only nine players for the preseason opener in Cincinnati on Friday night.
Last season, the Green Bay Packers sat 33 players for the preseason opener in San Francisco. With a much younger and healthier roster this year, Matt LaFleur’s team will sit only nine players for Friday night’s preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jordan Love is active and will start at quarterback. Of the 90 players on the roster, 81 will be active and available for LaFleur, including most of his starters on both sides of the ball.
Kickoff from Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT.
Here is the full list of players who won’t play against the Bengals:
LT David Bakhtiari
CB Jaire Alexander (groin)
CB Eric Stokes (PUP)
OLB Rashan Gary (knee)
OL Jake Hanson (elbow)
S Innis Gaines (quad)
RB Lew Nichols (shoulder)
TE Josiah Deguara (calf)
WR Grant DuBose (back)
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The best and worst players from the Packers’ preseason win over the Saints, via Pro Football Focus grades.
The Green Bay Packers took an early lead on a Jordan Love touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs and then put away Friday night’s 20-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints on a 51-yard touchdown run from quarterback Danny Etling. Results this time of year don’t really matter. The process does, especially for players fighting for roster spots.
Based on grades from Pro Football Focus, here are the best and worst performers from the Packers’ preseason win over the Saints:
1. OT Zach Tom: 84.5
2. QB Jordan Love: 82.6
3. TE Sal Cannella: 82.6
4. TE Nate Becker: 80.6
5. QB Danny Etling: 78.6
For the second week in a row, Tom put himself into the top five grades among offensive players. After finishing second last week, he’s in the top spot coming out of this game. Tom played 40 snaps at right tackle and didn’t give up a pressure. Love had three “big time throws” but was once again hurt by four drops. He received an elite grade from clean pockets. More on him here. Cannella (five snaps, one catch for 13 yards) and Becker (nine snaps, excellent blocking grade) made the most of their limited snaps, while Etling got a big boost from his 51-yard touchdown run.
1. OLB Ladarius Hamitlon: 87.5
2. S Micah Abernathy: 82.9
3. CB Kiondre Thomas: 82.5
4. S De’Vante Cross: 74.7
5. LB Quay Walker: 71.5
Hamilton had the team’s best run defense grade (one stop) and second-best pass-rushing grade (two pressures). Abernathy produced two splash plays (interception, tackle for loss) and was excellent in coverage. Thomas didn’t give up a catch over four targets and had two stops in the run game. Cross had a stop in the passing game and was strong in coverage. Although Isaiah McDuffie produced a team-high four stops, Walker had a higher grade because he was better against the run and in coverage.
1. TE Tyler Davis: 25.2
2. TE Alize Mack: 39.9
3. G Sean Rhyan: 42.2
4. WR Samori Toure: 44.6
5. RB Dexter Williams: 46.5
Davis finishes late in overall grade on offense for the second straight week. He had a turnover-causing fumble and a penalty, and he received terrible grades as a blocker over 24 snaps. Rhyan was hurt by a poor pass-blocking grade, and Toure’s big drop killed his overall grade.
1. DL Jonathan Ford: 26.8
2. DL Devonte Wyatt: 29.7
3. LB Ray Wilborn: 46.2
4. LB Ty Summers: 46.8
5. OLB Tipa Galeai: 49.3
Ford has played two very poorly-graded games this preseason. His run defense grade was poor over 29 snaps. Rough start for Wyatt, the Packers’ second of two first-round picks. He played 26 snaps and did nothing more than register a single tackle. Wilborn tackled well and did fine in coverage but was dinged hard for his work in the run game. Summers missed a tackle. Galeai had three pressures but was trailing in coverage on the Saints touchdown and struggled against the run.
Jordan Love: 82.6
Danny Etling: 78.8
Love was excellent over 27 dropbacks, especially from clean pockets. Four drops robbed him of roughly 75 passing yards. He played on time, threw decisively and didn’t have a turnover-worthy play. On play-action, Love completed four of six passes for 52 yards and produced an elite grade. Etling threw just one pass but earned a strong grade due to his running production (51-yard touchdown).
Kabion Ento, who played 11 snaps, earned the top special teams grade. Tipa Galeai and Shawn Davis missed tackles covering kicks, and Kingsley Enagbare had a penalty. Ramiz Ahmed earned a high grade after making both field goals and extra points.
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These are the players trending in the right direction following the Packers’ preseason opener against the 49ers.
The Green Bay Packers were unable to leave San Francisco with a win in the preseason opener of 2022, falling 28-21 to the 49ers on Friday night at Levi’s Stadium.
Here’s who improved their stock the most during the preseason opener against the 49ers:
OT Zach Tom: The fourth-round rookie sure looked comfortable protecting the passer at right tackle. It’s hard to imagine the Packers wouldn’t be better with Tom at right tackle and Royce Newman playing right guard along the (current) first-team offensive line.
DL Jack Heflin: He might still persuade the Packers to keep six defensive linemen. Over 37 snaps, the second-year man was an equal mix of active and disruptive, producing two pressures as a rusher and two run stops. While not as physically talented as others at this position, he’s powerful and relentless.
LB Isaiah McDuffie: He started alongside top pick Quay Walker at linebacker, produced a tackle for loss and played a team-high 11 snaps on special teams. Lock him in on the 53-man roster.
WR Danny Davis: The former Badger was a big long shot entering training camp, but he keeps proving he belongs. His adjustment back to the football on the second Jordan Love touchdown pass was impressive. A spot on the practice squad is looking more and more likely.
C Josh Myers: He’s already locked in as the starting center, but Myers continued his strong summer with a tremendous effort in the preseason opener. A big second-year leap from last year’s second-rounder would be huge for an offensive line with a lot of moving parts.
G Jon Runyan Jr.: The starting left guard was excellent in pass protection, and he even teamed up with Myers for a few people-moving combo blocks in the run game. The Packers’ guard-center pair looks Week 1 ready.
WR Amari Rodgers: He created a big play in the return game (50-yard kickoff return) and a big play after the catch (22-yard touchdown after short catch). This is how he wins. No. 8 looked much more explosive playing closer to 200 pounds.
DL TJ Slaton: On one snap, he bull-rushed the guard and blew up the pocket. Later, he found the ball, shed the block at the line and dumped the running back all in one fluid motion. The flashes are becoming more consistent.
OT Caleb Jones: The 6-9, 370-pounder is probably always going to have some issues with quicker pass-rushers, but he was a monster in the run game at left tackle during the second half. The skill set here is certainly intriguing.
WR Romeo Doubs: Despite a few drops, his ability to separate was clear as day. He’s got another gear as a vertical route-runner and understands how to stack corners. Doubs won deep on three different snaps.
CB Keisean Nixon: He looked comfortable in coverage and made two quick stops with sure tackles after short completions. Both Nixon and Shemar Jean-Charles played well on a second viewing.
OLB Kobe Jones: He made a bunch of plays in the second half, including a clean-up sack, a stop against the run and two assisted tackles after short completions. It’s certainly possible he put himself into the running at backup edge rusher.
CB Kiondre Thomas: Two tackles on special teams is a good way to get noticed. He also broke up a pass in coverage.
RB Tyler Goodson: He started at running back, and his burst really popped off the screen. He took a couple of big shots and didn’t flinch.
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The best and worst players from the Packers’ preseason opener vs. the 49ers, via Pro Football Focus grades.
The Green Bay Packers gave up a late touchdown and lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the preseason opener on Friday night. Results this time of year don’t really matter. The process does, especially for players fighting for roster spots.
Based on grades from Pro Football Focus, here are the best and worst performers from the Packers’ preseason-opening loss to the 49ers:
1. C Josh Myers: 92.2
2. OT Zach Tom: 80.2
3. OT Caleb Jones: 76.5
4. WR Danny Davis: 73.3
5. OL Sean Rhyan: 72.2
Overall, the offensive line played exceedingly well. Seven of the offense’s top 11 grades were offensive linemen, including Myers, who was terrific at center over 36 first-half snaps. The line was charged with giving up just four total pressures. Tom’s performance should mean more first-team snaps. Davis, Juwann Winfree, Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure all earned strong grades at receiver.
1. LB Isaiah McDuffie: 75.2
2. DL TJ Slaton: 73.9
3. CB Keisean Nixon: 73.4
4. CB Shemar Jean-Charles: 72.5
5. LB Ellis Brooks: 71.7
Not as many standouts on defense, although McDuffie did have two stops and zero missed tackles, Slaton produced two pressures and Nixon and Jean-Charles had solid coverage grades.
1. TE Tyler Davis: 30.8
2. RB Patrick Taylor: 38.8
3. RB Dexter Williams: 50.8
4. WR Ishmael Hyman: 54.1
5. TE Sal Cannella: 54.7
Davis missed two run blocks and had a drop resulting in an interception. Ouch. This was a performance that will shake his security on the 53-man roster. Same goes for Taylor, who fell behind Tyler Goodson on the depth chart.
1. LB Ray Wilborn: 26.1
2. DL Chris Slayton: 30.3
3. DL Jonathan Ford: 30.9
4. CB Rico Gafford: 37.3
5. DL Akial Byers: 39.7
Slaton and Jack Heflin graded out well, but their competition along the defensive line struggled, per PFF. Run defense was a big issue across the board. Gafford was charged with giving up a 39-yard touchdown pass to Ray-Ray McCloud.
Jordan Love: 58.0
Danny Etling: 65.1
Love produced one big-time throw but just one turnover-worthy play and was plagued by four total drops. He still didn’t throw accurately enough and didn’t play particularly well from clean pockets. Love did handle the blitz well, completing 3-of-4 passes, including the long touchdown to Romeo Doubs. Like Love, Etling’s best play came against the blitz when he hit BJ Baylor for a 68-yard gain.
Six players played at least 10 special teams snaps: Isaiah McDuffie, Ray Wilborn, Dallin Leavitt, Vernon Scott, Shemar Jean-Charles and Rico Gafford. Kiondre Thomas had two tackles and the best overall grade on special teams. Amari Rodgers earned a solid overall return grade.
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So far, it looks like the storm shouldn’t have much of an impact Jacksonville’s game against Cleveland.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are set to open the 2021 preseason on Saturday night against the Cleveland Browns at home, but mother nature may have other plans.
Northeast Florida residents are no strangers to hurricane season, and this year’s could impact the beginning of the Jaguars season. Tropical Depression Fred is currently situated just north of the far eastern tip of Cuba, and according to the projection cone from the National Hurricane Center, it is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico and follow the west coast of Florida north.
Though the center of the storm is expected to remain west of the state, the outer bands could bring some heavy rain to the area, potentially impacting kickoff against the Browns.
Luckily for Jaguars fans eager to see Trevor Lawrence in the teal and black for the first time, the storm likely wouldn’t affect the area until Sunday or Monday, according to a report from News4Jax meteorologists John Gaughan and Richard Nunn. Action News Jax chief meteorologist Mike Buresh also predicted a Sunday-Monday impact from the storm.
It seems that we should be all systems go for the preseason opener, which is set to begin at 7 p.m. But tropical cyclones are unpredictable, and this will be a story to watch over the next couple of days.
