It’s the final week of the preseason and we’re at the Bills. This year the preseason was cut down to just 3 games. This final game could mean everything for players on the bubble. The 80 man roster must be cut down to 53 players on August 31st. The Packers coaches have a lot of decisions to make. There have been standouts on both sides of the ball, but will it be enough to make the 53 man roster? Those players that don’t make the 53 man roster will still have a chance to be placed on the practice squad, or picked up by another team.
A lot of decisions will come on both sides of the ball so this game should be fun to watch for players fighting for a chance to continue their careers. Let’s preview what this game means for both sides, as we move into the regular season.
The Packers
I still think the most intriguing position battle is on the Offensive Line. The Bakhtiari injury really shakes up where guys will start. It is to be seen how long Bakhtiari will be out. If Elgton slides left that opens up his normal Left Guard position. Goal number one is to keep Rodgers upright. Preseason game number 3 can decide a lot. PFF has rookie 4th round pick Royce Newman as the highest graded Packers player on offense through 2 weeks.
Royce Newman is having a very nice start to this game. He might just be the leader in the clubhouse for the starting RG spot.
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) August 21, 2021
Rookie second round pick Josh Myers is almost certainly a lock at Center after Corey Linsley’s departure. I still believe the Packers have a lot of depth at Offensive Line. This battle should be fun.
Kurt Benkert
The Packers are in a bit of a precarious position with Kurt Benkert. The Packers usually don’t carry 3 QB’s on the active roster. But after Jordan Love missed last week vs. the Jets because of a shoulder injury Kurt Benkert got the start. Benkert looked pretty good for a guy who was relatively unknown when the Packers picked him up from the Falcons. Benkert was 12-16 for 103 yards and a TD in the first half of last weekends preseason game.
The reason for the intrigue is that we don’t know what the future holds with the QB position after this year. We all obviously know that Jordan Love was drafted to be the supposed heir after Rodgers. But with Benkert impressing, is it worth releasing Benkert to hope he makes it to the Practice Squad? He would get picked up by another team before that would happen. I think the Packers have to keep Benkert on the active roster. He’s shown enough so far that you have to take a flyer on him. He’s certainly at the least a fan favorite so far this year.
Jordan love should be able to start the 3rd preseason game. It’s also very important to see what he brings, as he left the first game with the shoulder injury. I think though that the Jordan Love injury earned Benkert his spot on the active roster. Do the Packers think so? We’ll have to wait until August 31st, post preseason to find out. The Packers must have some faith in Benkert as they kept him over Blake “BOAT” Bortles.
OK, so maybe Kurt Benkert is more than just the annual camp/preseason guy that @mattschneidman and @jasonjwilde fall in love with but is rarely heard from again.
He's made some throws today that man, I'm not even sure we've seen Jordan Love make this summer.
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) August 21, 2021
The Secondary
The Packers secondary was torched by Zach Wilson during the last preseason game. There could be as many battles here for Nickel and Dime spots as there are for guys fighting for a spot on the Offensive Line. The Packers resigned Kevin King to a 1 year deal, and in his presser yesterday looked like he wanted to make up for last years mistakes.
Kevin King spoke to the media for about 20 min. Tuesday. He talked about everything, from the rough day in the NFC title game to returning to the #Packers to Eric Stokes coming on board as a first-round draft pick. Very forthright and introspective. Story link below: https://t.co/56Oa8759dg
— Mike Spofford (@mikespofford) August 25, 2021
The Packers know that across from Jaire there was uncertainty so they drafted Eric Stokes with their first round pick. I have faith in our starters in the secondary, but who will step up after those guys? Josh Jackson was traded to The Giants for a flyer on Issac Yiadom. Ka’Dar Hollman was traded to the Texans, and Will Redmond was placed on the IR. If someone can step up in the secondary in the final preseason game they make almost guarantee themselves a spot on the 53.
Some Players To Lookout for
Undrafted Rookie Jack Heflin DL (90)
DT Jack Heflin is playing the same spots on iDL as Tyler Lancaster – but doing it with so much more energy
Stout vs double teams, controls single blocks, active chasing plays down the line, active in pass rush counters…
Might've played his way onto this roster… pic.twitter.com/33JuguRkt4
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) August 22, 2021
AJ Dillon may only get a few snaps but he was laying guys out last week in limited time.
Kylin Hill. PFF has him rated as the highest rookie RB so far this preseason. He looked good vs. the Jets.
Oren Burks, he’s shown some flashes this preseason, but he’s not yet a lock for the 53.
Josiah Deguara. I was high on him last year in limited time before his ACL injury.
The entirety of the Secondary.
The Bills
The Bills are 2-0 this preseason and our old friend Mitch Trubisky is now with the Bills after the Bears drafted Jordan Fields and signed Andy Dalton. The Bears were absolutely demolished in their preseason game last week. Trubisky was lights out against his old team. It’s likely we will see a lot of Mitch when we play them this Saturday.
Mitch Trubisky in the 1st half:
🦬 20/28
🦬 220 yards
🦬 6/7 scoring drives pic.twitter.com/0sFHGKidnw— PFF (@PFF) August 21, 2021
Much like the Packers the Bills have high hopes for A Super Bowl run, Josh Allen looked like an MVP caliber QB last year. Stefon Diggs and Allen made for a great combo last year in Buffalo.
Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs showing that the true meaning of friendship is helping one another.
Josh helped Diggs with his throwing motion.
Diggs helped Josh keep his face clean. #Billsmafia pic.twitter.com/1eEQaxBHR0
— Thad Brown (@thadbrown7) August 25, 2021
Much like The Packers the Bills will also have a lot of decisions to make in a shortened (now normal) 3 preseason game season. Both teams will have guys fighting for a spot on the roster, so I expect to see a fun, yet intense game.
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How To Watch
All info on how to watch the final Preseason game can be found here.
As always Go Pack Go!
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