Coming off a discouraging performance in San Francisco, the Packers were able to keep things together well enough to win for the first time in the pre-season this year.
In his first game action of the year, Greg Jennings turned in a solid performance with 42 yards on four catches. It was encouraging to see chemistry between Jennings and Rodgers, who finished the game 18 of 22 for 193 yards. Rodgers spread the ball around to nine different receivers over the course of a little more than two quarters of work. Rodgers also pushed through the goal line pile to score a touchdown of his own to begin the second half.
Rodgers left the game with the Packers ahead 20-17. Up to that point, the defense had not done its job. Rodgers’ counterpart on the Broncos, Jay Cutler, led his offense on scoring drives on each of its first three possessions. It was not until Patrick Ramsey replaced Cutler midway through the second quarter that the Bronco offense began to slow down, scoring only a fourth quarter touchdown to temporarily regain the lead.
One point of concern was the Packers’ inability to prevent third down conversions, especially on the Broncos’ first drive of the second quarter, a drive that lasted 16 plays, covering 99 yards over eight and a half minutes. “The run defense was not as productive as it has been,” coach Mike McCarthy said following the game, “but getting off the field on third down, that’s the strength of our defense. We’re better than we showed on that particular drive.”
The defense as a whole should come around and be a challenge for any NFL offense so long as it stays healthy. The Packers will be bolstered in their pre-season opener when defensive end and pass rush-specialist Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila is expected to be 100% and defensive tackle Ryan Pickett is scheduled to make his return. Without them, though, the Packers’ front four has struggled to find the right personnel to get enough push into the backfield to disrupt opposing offenses. The subsequent burden has been on the defensive backfield to sustain coverage for longer-than-normal periods of time.
Overall, the Packers’ third pre-season game seemed promising. The performance was not scripted perfectly but it was sufficient enough to get a win, and anytime you are able to grind out a win in the National Football League, there is no reason to get down on yourself. Green Bay now has plenty to build on and will return home next week for one final tune-up against the Tennessee Titans.
Report Card:
Offense: B – The offensive line can be given a lot of the credit for the improvement over last week’s performance. Pass protection was much improved and made Aaron Rodgers’ job much easier. The Packers are a much better team with Greg Jennings on the field as well. The running game still has not proven itself, and the Packers need more than three yards per carry from the backfield.
Defense: C – The weakest performance thus far from the first group. This unit must get off the field sooner. Last year, the Packers were aided by an extremely deep defensive line, a luxury that, due to injury and personnel movement, they do not have this year. The importance of the defense cannot be overstated with a first-year quarterback on the other side of the ball.
Special Teams: B – Mason Crosby missed for the first time this pre-season. Jon Ryan continues to improve and even pinned the Broncos on their own one yard line. Will Blackmon took the second half kick-off back for 43 yards, setting up the first Packers touchdown of the second half.
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