It’s the same story for the Green Bay Packers. They had a horrible first-half start offensively, with them finding their footing in the second half. This league is too tough to play from behind every game, and they can’t help themselves. The offense was halted multiple times in the first quarter from penalties against the offensive line.
It is hard to point the finger at one singular guy because every person is making mistakes. From dropped passes to errant throws to multiple penalties. The execution is poor for this young team, and no one is stepping up to make plays.
Here are this week’s studs and duds vs. the Minnesota Vikings.
Green Bay Packers Studs
Outside Linebacker Preston Smith
The Packers team only gets one stud label, and it was Preston Smith. Preston did it all today. He ended with two sacks, a tackle for loss, and everyone’s favorite, a pass defended. The Packers defense could not get off the field today, but Preston had himself a day. He did well setting the edge against the run.
If the Packers are going through a rebuild, you must think he may be traded at the deadline—a heck of a day for Preston Smith.
Green Bay Packers Duds
While the entire offense deserves this award, some guys stood out.
Wide Receiver Christian Watson
The expected wide receiver one for the Green Bay Packers has yet to amount to much this year. After elite flashes last year, Watson has been a disappointment. He has struggled when guys get physical with him and can’t play through contact. A dropped pass at the end of the game that hit him in the hands summed up the day.
Cornerback Jaire Alexander
Jaire Alexander is likely playing hurt, but so is most of the league. Jordan Addison and K.J. Osborn had their way with him all day. After the Jordan Love interception, Addison ran right by Alexander for a 20-yard touchdown—uninspired defense. As the leader of the defense, he must set the standard.
Offensive Tackle Rasheed Walker
I am sure the Packers never envisioned thrusting Walker into the left tackle position this year, with Bakhtiari expected to be back. With it being the reality this year, they must change. It was another day for Walker with multiple penalties, giving up a sack, and poor run blocking. Yosh Nijman took Walker’s spot for a few quarters, but Walker played again after Nijman left with an injury. He immediately got a false start penalty.
Final Thoughts
This team plays the most uncomplimentary football that you could imagine. The offense is a three-and-out machine, and the defense can’t get off the field. The team lacks discipline and fire.
It is incredible to watch the offense shoot themselves in the foot drive after the drive. The team lives in third and long. Matt Lafluer mentioned after the game that he estimated that there were six dropped passes. At some point, someone has to make a play on this offense. Dontayvion Wicks had a ball hit him right in the hands for a walk-in touchdown.
When the defense was on the field, a third and eight felt like a layup for the Vikings. Multiple times, it looked like some guys were in a zone, and some were in man-to-man for the Packers. Too many times, guys were getting passed off, and no one picked him up. This defense has way too much draft capital and money spent to be this disappointing. Conservative death by a thousand cuts can only work for so long; at some point, you have to get aggressive.
The Green Bay Packers are on the fast track to the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
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