Packers Best and Worst Performances from another discouraging loss
By Paul Bretl
Some serious soul-searching has to take place on a Green Bay Packers team that was out-coached and out-played for the second week in a row. Now faced with a three-game road trip, it really feels like the Packers’ 2022 season is at a crossroads.
While most of what we saw from the Packers on Sunday wasn’t good, there were still a few positive performances worth highlighting. Here is a closer look at the best and worst from another discouraging Packers loss.
Green Bay Packers’ best performances from Week 6
Robert Tonyan
Robert Tonyan was on the field for 46 snaps, by far the most of his 2022 season, as the Packers work him back somewhat slowly from his ACL injury. Tonyan was also the only consistent pass-catching option for Aaron Rodgers. Tonyan was targeted 12 times and caught 10 of those passes for 90 yards, according to PFF ($$).
David Bakhtiari
As I wrote following the game, the Packers’ offensive line was dominated by the Jets’ defense, and it really doesn’t much matter what Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers dial-up if Green Bay is going to perform that poorly in the trenches. However, the lone bright spot was David Bakhtiari, who played 69 snaps, allowing one pressure, and he was also PFF’s second-highest graded run-blocking offensive tackle.
Allen Lazard
Lazard’s final numbers don’t leap off the page, just four receptions on nine targets for 76 yards, but he was the lone spark for this Packers offense in terms of big plays. He and Rodgers connected on a beautiful pass and catch for 35 yards to put Green Bay in Jets territory. Lazard then later caught the Packers’ lone touchdown pass, a 25-yard reception.
Jaire Alexander
Credit to Joe Barry, who did make adjustments in the secondary, allowing his corners to play closer to the line of scrimmage while also moving Jarie Alexander into the slot. Naturally, when in a position to make plays, Alexander did that. Overall he allowed three receptions for just 30 yards on seven targets, including three pass breakups, and when matched up with Garrett Wilson, Alexander didn’t allow a reception.
Adrian Amos
With more dime personnel, Amos saw additional playing time down in the box on third downs or obvious passing situations. He finished the day with seven total tackles, no misses, and allowed just one catch for three yards while recording three run stops.
Preston Smith
Preston Smith led the Packers in pressures on Sunday, logged a pair of run stops, and was one of the few members of this defense not to record a missed tackle either.
Green Bay Packers worst performances from Week 6
Royce Newman
In what has become a regular occurrence, Newman led the Packers in pressures allowed with five against the Jets. He, along with the rest of the line, struggled to handle stunts and twists and was seen sliding left to block while the rest of the line moved right. Newman was benched before halftime but returned due to an injury to Jake Hanson
Elgton Jenkins and Jon Runyan
We might as well just work our way down the offensive line while we are at it. Jenkins allowed four pressures at right tackle and was called for two holding penalties. Runyan, meanwhile, entered the game as the only guard not to allow a pressure this season, but he surrendered four to the Jets.
AJ Dillon
I’m still not sure why, but especially in the first half, it appeared that LaFleur chose to feature AJ Dillon over Aaron Jones. The blocking wasn’t great by any means, but Dillon did manage 4.2 yards per carry. However, he had another fumble, two dropped passes, and when in the open field, he couldn’t make the defender miss.
Eric Stokes
As I wrote recently, I thought overall, the secondary performed well with the adjustments that Joe Barry made. But once again, Eric Stokes was on the wrong end of a big play. With Zach Wilson scrambling, Corey Davis was able to get behind Stokes for a 41-yard reception that eventually ended in a touchdown drive. Stokes’ rough second season continues.
Special teams
After being arguably the Packers’ most consistent unit this season, the special teams unit surrendered 10 points on Sunday, allowing a touchdown on a blocked punt, along with a blocked field goal that took three points off the board.
Quay Walker
Another missed tackle for Walker on Sunday, to go along with only one stop after recording seven in his first two games. Over-pursuing and poor run fits were also a part of Walker’s performance.
All stats courtesy of PFF