The Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots suspended play following a horrible injury to Isiah Bolden, a rookie Patriot defender. Following the game, head coach Matt LaFleur stated that he believed that he saw all that he needed to from his players and, at that point, nothing else mattered more than the well-being of Bolden and the emotions of the players.
Despite not being a full game, there were plenty of players who put up solid performances while there were others who, it seems, may be running of time in terms of impressing enough to make the 53-man roster.
Stud #1- Green Bay Packers Quarterback Jordan Love
The new Packers starting quarterback showed what he was made of when things go wrong. A botched snap by center Josh Myers on the first series of the game would have derailed the Packers offense last season.
But not under Love. While his predecessor may have ranted and raved, Love put his head down and, two series later, marched the Packers offense 93 yards down the field for a touchdown.
Aside from completing five of eight passes for 84 yards and a touchdown (137 passer rating), he showed tremendous leadership.
Stud #2- Green Bay Packers Kicker Anders Carlson
After a disappointing preseason debut against the Cincinnati Bengals, rookie kicker Anders Carlson was as perfect as he could have been on Saturday night.
In addition to making his two extra point attempts, Carlson also made a 52-yard field goal towards the end of the second-quarter, giving the Packers a 17-14 advantage at half-time.
And he didn’t just make it. It cleared the uprights with power to spare. Carlson’s kick may have been good from 60 yards out.
Stud #3- Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Malik Heath
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
It is becoming tougher and tougher to see a Packers 53-man roster that does not include Malik Heath, an undrafted free agent this year. He continued his brilliant preseason with five receptions (on five targets) for 75 yards.
Heath made touch catches over the middle, won 50/50 balls, and made every dirty play the team asked of him. This past week, he told reporters that he knew his way onto the 53-man roster was by being the goon in the wide receiver room. He’s doing that and making some fantastic catches, too.
Stud #4- Green Bay Packers Interior Defensive Lineman Karl Brooks
Sixth round draft pick Karl Brooks may not have recorded an official sack, but he had at least one wiped away due to penalties committed by other players. For his part, Brooks was explosive off of the line and consistently created pressure with a good interior pass rush.
For years, the Packers have been looking for players to compliment Pro Bowler Kenny Clark on the defensive line. While Devonte Wyatt and TJ Slaton will be starting alongside Clark up front, Brooks is proving that he is a valuable depth piece who can bring a world of hurt to the opposing backfield.
Stud #5- Green Bay Packers Edge Rusher Kingsley Enagbare
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
It would be impossible to have a list of standout performances from this game without including second-year pass rusher Kinglsey Enagbare. He had two sacks, including a strip sack and fumble recovery in the first quarter.
Throughout the time he played, Enagbare showed why the Packers viewed him as a steal in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was constantly getting pressure and making life uncomfortable for Patriots quarterbacks.
Dud #1- Green Bay Packers Center Josh Myers
Packers center Josh Myers may be playing himself out of his starting job this preseason. He has not really shown any semblance of improvement in run or pass protection and has seen other players getting looks with the rest of the offensive starters during practice.
On the first offensive series, he snapped the ball too early. It flew over Love’s head and was recovered by the Patriots defense at the 18-yard line.
Coach LaFleur stated after the game, “Can’t have that,” when discussing the play.
Dud #2- Green Bay Packers Interior Defensive Lineman Jonathan Ford
Whereas rookies Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden were getting pressure and causing short-yardage runs, Jonathan Ford was constantly shifted and moved off his spot by Patriots third string linemen. To put it plainly, he simply was not good enough and could be in danger of being left off the 53-man roster in favor of actual playmakers.
Dud #3- Green Bay Packers Defensive Back Kiondre Thomas
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
While Kiondre Thomas had a nice pass breakup (pictured above), he also gave up more than one big passing play and was flagged for pass interference. The Packers are incredibly loaded with talent at cornerback, so Thomas may find himself on the practice squad again this season.
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