Green Bay Packers v. Broncos: 3 Standout Players
The Green Bay Packers were able to move to 3-0 with a 27-16 win over the Denver Broncos. Here are three of the standout players from Sunday’s game.
The Green Bay Packers were able to continue their undefeated season with a 27-16 win over the Denver Broncos.
The defense was very good once again, forcing three more turnovers and tallying six sacks. While the offense remains a work in progress, but they were able to put some more good plays together, including scoring their first 14 points off of turnovers this season.
Here are the three standout players from Sunday’s win.
Preston Smith
On a day where the defense stood out again, Preston Smith was the most dynamic of the defensive players. Smith had three sacks and a forced fumble. The fumble led to a Packers touchdown to give them a two-possession lead.
That gives Smith 4.5 sacks for the season. As good as Za’Darius Smith has been, to this point, Preston has been just as good, if not better. The Green Bay Packers have a dynamic edge-rushing tandem on their hands. Take a bow, Brian Gutekunst.
Rashan Gary, Elgton Jenkins & Darnell Savage
Gutekunst’s rookie class came up big for him on Sunday. Elgton Jenkins made his first start, and although he went through some growing pains, the Packers ultimately allowed zero sacks against a tough Denver front.
On defense was where the magic happened. Rashan Gary has been much maligned for being an unproductive player. He had an uptick in snaps which led to an uptick in impact. Gary had a pressure on Preston Smith’s first sack of the game. He then followed that up with a recovered fumble on Preston Smith’s second sack of the game.
With the clock winding down in the fourth quarter, Gary finally got in on the action with his first career sack. Gary has seen an increase in snaps through the first three games and he’s gotten better in all three games as well.
Meanwhile, Darnell Savage continues to impress as the team’s primary deep safety. He’s a blur on the field. He simply plays at a different speed than everyone else and he also made a splash play today with his first career interception.
Had the officials correctly ruled the play an interception on the field, there’s a chance Savage would have scored on the play. Instead, he has to settle for his first career pick. The Packers’ defense was a shining star today and the rookies were a big reason why.
Za’Darius Smith
Za’Darius Smith, the leader of the defense. It’s hard to have a quiet two-sack day, but that appears to be what happened with Smith. His Smith brother, Preston, was the one who stole the show today, that said, Za’Darius was impressive as well.
He finished the day with two sacks, including one on the final drive of the game that allowed the clock to expire. The best players lead by example, and by performance. Smith has done exactly that through the first two games. With the additions that were made, the Green Bay Packers’ offseason looks to be one of the best ones in the history of the team.