The Green Bay Packers performed well against the New England Patriots on Day 1 of their joint practice sessions this week on Wednesday. They lost their momentum Thursday.
Love and the offense carved the Patriots Wednesday. That was a good sign because these types of practice sessions offer starters a better look for the regular season than preseason games. But Patriots head coach Bill Belichick had the Patriots motivated for a stark turnaround Thursday.
Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers struggle Wednesday
Multiple Packers’ pundits were bluntly reporting a massacre during Thursday’s contentious practice.
Second joint practice is done. Packers took yesterday. Patriots definitely took today. Next up: Saturday’s preseason game.
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) August 17, 2023
Two straight pass breakups by the Pats defense following the Watson touchdown.
Love rolls right, great protection by Bakh. Tried to find Deguara but he was covered well. Incomplete.
Love throws a pick to 23 truing to get it to Musgrave. Tight coverage by Pats here in red zone.
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) August 17, 2023
Not sure what changed with the Patriots offense overnight, but this is the best I’ve seen them look since moving here a year ago. They just torched Green Bay’s defense both in a full-field drill and red zone period.
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) August 17, 2023
Tucker Kraft just took a BIG hit, fumbled, and is down on the field…
Got up after a few seconds. Walking off gingerly.
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) August 17, 2023
The two-minute drill went to the New England Patriots
The worst part of the day for the Packers’ first-team units came during the two-minute drill. According to Matt Schneidman with The Athletic, Love threw an interception on his first attempt. The offense failed to convert on the next drive after tight end Luke Musgrave dropped what would’ve been a touchdown on fourth down.
The first-team Packers defense didn’t fare better. They lost to the Patriots as quarterback Mac Jones tossed a touchdown pass to DeVante Parker. The newly declared safety, Rasul Douglas, was in coverage on the play.
Right after Jaire Alexander (on the field) and Jabril Peppers (on the sideline) finish chirping each other, Mac Jones hits DeVante Parker for a 44-yard TD on a bomb down the left sideline over Rasul Douglas to win two minute.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) August 17, 2023
Packers offense lost first two-minute drill when Marcus Jones picked off Jordan Love looking for Samori Toure on right sideline on the first play.
Packers got another try and made it from own 25 to NE 18, but Musgrave dropped pass in end zone on fourth down with GB down 28-21.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) August 17, 2023
Sean Clifford and the second team won
The silver lining for the Packers came with the second-team offense. Rookie quarterback Sean Clifford led the Packers down the field. According to Bill Huber with Sports Illustrated, UDFA rookie Cody Chrest caught a touchdown pass from Clifford in the two-minute drill.
Cody Chrest with the 2-minute TD. Two Patriots go for the pick and Chrest is there for the 21-yard grab.
— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) August 17, 2023
Bailey Zappe scored on the Packers’ backup defense, though…
Bailey Zappe leads Pats second-string offense on TD drive in 2-minute drill against #Packers backup defense.
Patriots 2, Packers 1.
Third string coming up.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) August 17, 2023
The Packers will need to regroup and try to get their revenge Saturday against the Patriots in their preseason matchup.
Packers get pass rusher back to practice against the Patriots:
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