Green Bay Packers Continue to Impress in Preseason

Against the Bills last weekend, the Packers dominated once again in all phases. The Bills were without Terrell Owens and are hardly an elite team on either side of the ball, but the negatives of the game end there.

The starting defense once again pitched a shutout and forced multiple turnovers--in all, the defense recorded five. Johnny Jolly continues to impress, recording two sacks and a fumble forced.

The third-string defense was picked apart for two scores in the fourth quarter to make the game close. But even the second team shined, including rookie Jarius Wynn, recording a sack.

The offense scored 24 points, most of that by players who can expect to see action in the regular season. The Packers threw 30 times for 194 yards and took just one 10-yard sack. On the ground, they ran 32 times for 108 yards.

Aaron Rodgers, whose only incompletion was a dropped pass, threw for two touchdowns—one to Donald Driver, one to Greg Jennings—and 98 yards in nine attempts. He has been near perfect all preseason.

Even Brian Brohm looked a little better—he was 12-of-19 but for just 83 yards with no scores and a pick, but he got the ball in a couple tight spaces. Matt Flynn threw just two passes, completing one for 13 yards, and his fumble was not lost.

Ryan Grant was very effective, rushing 10 times for 43 yards and a touchdown. Tyrell Sutton continues to be this year’s Kregg Lumpkin—an undrafted free agent whose preseason performance is too good to let him go—rushing 11 times for 49 yards and a touchdown. In fact, he may spell the end of Lumpkin, who ran five times and lost seven yards.

JerMichael Finley may have gained the upper hand in the tight end battle, registering 46 yards on three catches compared to Donald Lee’s one catch for seven yards. Undrafted rookie Kole Heckendorf may have distinguished himself enough to earn the inside track on a practice squad spot with his three-catch, 30-yard performance. Six other receivers had one catch and four more grabbed two.

The special teams continued to play little role in the game. Punting has been almost non-existent this preseason, but did average over a 43-yard net. The return and coverage units have done their job, but nothing noteworthy. Mason Crosby hit his only field goal attempt and all four extra points, leaving his only misses being of 55-plus yards, but also giving him only two successful kicks.

The Packers face a bigger test for the game in the preseason, traveling to Arizona to take on the reigning NFC champs and one of the best passing offenses ever assembled. The third preseason game is the biggest barometer of a team’s progress, as starters play the entire first half and sometimes even into the second half. If the team plays well, it may be time to start getting excited.

I originally wrote this article for SportsScribes.