Packers Recap from Week Two and Players to Watch for

With the game against New England almost a week behind, let’s take a look at a recap of that game as well as look forward to the players and battles to look for this upcoming Saturday as the Green Bay Packers go up against the Seattle Seahawks.

A scary hit on Patriots rookie cornerback, Isaiah Bolden, ended the game with ten minutes left on Saturday night. By then, there had been a lot of things to be seen in play considering the first-team offense had been out for over two quarters and a lot of players had been making plays. Here are some takeaways that I had and was fortunate enough to be there in person for from the early ending of the twenty-one to seventeen final score of the Patriots and Packers.

The First Team Offense Was Clicking Again

While the first snap on offense was a turnover, after that, the offense was clicking for the Packers and starting quarterback, Jordan Love. On their next two drives, Love connected with wide receiver, Romeo Doubs for two very nice plays one over the middle, and the other down the right sideline that was originally ruled out of bounds but successfully challenged otherwise. The third drive resulted in a touchdown on a nice crosser from rookie wide receiver Jayden Reed whom Love fired a perfect ball. That was just the beginning of the scoring, with Patrick Taylor scoring with the second-team offense, and Anders Carlson tacked on a fifty-two-yard field goal as well to make up the seventeen points for Green Bay. Overall, this offense has taken a drive or two to get going, but once they hit the second or third drive thus far, they continue it which is a positive sign for everyone. There were a few mistakes such as the fumbled snap that can’t happen, and a few penalties to clean up, but the offense will look to build on this game next game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Defense Looked FAST

The defense, while it was preseason, played against Mac Jones and the number one Patriots offense. They did more than just hold their own, besides starting inside their own twenty after the opening fumble by the offense. The rest of the game was a clinic put on by them, especially the defensive line. Kingsley Enagbare had two sacks, paired with a forced fumble and recovery to his name that headlined the defense. More notable things were that despite Enagbare’s big performance, he wasn’t the only one in the backfield. It felt like at times it just depended on the play and a different guy was getting a pressure or through for a sack. The secondary held up pretty well without number one corner, Jaire Alexander as well besides a few miscommunications that ultimately were the Patriots’ scoring plays. Overall, the defense looked fast, which can hopefully become normal as we progress towards the regular season.

Wide Receivers Consistently Making Plays

As a whole, I was very impressed with the wide receiver room this week on the offensive side of the ball. While certain guys had more receptions, the whole room continued to get open versus their respective corners more often than not and that will be huge for the offense in the regular season. Some highlights include the contested sideline catch for Doubs, the first career touchdown for Reed, and various plays made by Malik Heath, and Grant DuBose. It was clear that the first-team offense guys are figuring out how to play off of each other together which is always fun to watch. While it is still the preseason, showing flashes against a Bill Belichick-led defense won’t ever go unnoticed. The offense will look to build off of this game next week against Seattle.

Positive Performances

Kingsley Enagbare

If you are looking for a player of the game, you have one in Kingsley Enagbare. He showed out with multiple sacks and even saw one result in a forced fumble and recovery all done by Enagbare. He has consistently been making plays whether it’s getting pressures or through for a sack, you seem to find Enagbare getting through the line at some point each day. He will look to build off of this momentum against Seattle, then gear up for the regular season.

Jordan Love

While the play was again limited due to it being the preseason, I liked what I saw out of Love. Multiple plays stood out to me including the touchdown throw to Reed, as well as some nicely placed passes where only the receiver could make a play on the ball. Love will finally get a full game in week one against Chicago, but with the starters being announced by Matt LaFleur to be playing again this week, the number one offense will look to get one more positive build-up towards the regular season opener this Saturday.

Jayden Reed

While the rookie had continued to stand out from the moment he hit the field in Green Bay, he finally was able to make that first Lambeau Leap into the crowd this past Saturday. Reed looks to be someone who can compliment Watson and Doubs perfectly, and who is a true playmaker. Reed will look to continue to prove the consistency against Seattle before week one approaches.

Romeo Doubs

Doubs is estimated to see quite a few looks this season with all of the speed for defenses to key on elsewhere. He showed that he is more than capable of being that guy for the Packers this year and that he can win his matchups as well. His highlight came on a contested catch down the right sideline in which he got his feet in bounds as well. Doubs will look to continue the momentum with the first-team offense this coming Saturday.

Malik Heath

Heath has been someone I have mentioned in my articles on the offseason as far back as I can remember this offseason. He has continuously proved himself over and over since the rookie minicamp making play after play. Saturday Night was no different for the UDFA out of Ole Miss, as a packed crowd at Lambeau Field watched him rack in five receptions for seventy-five yards. Heath has stated he will do any role he can to make the team, and if you’re looking for that UDFA who has the most momentum to make the 53-man roster, look no further than Heath, who will continue to try to build an already impressive camp and preseason against Seattle.

Jimmy Phillips Jr.

On the other side of the ball now again, I enjoyed watching the way Jimmy Phillips Jr. played. While he was knocked for a missed run fit, the UDFA linebacker out of SMU was all over the field making sure tackles and even knocking down a pass. He would finish with six total tackles of which five were solo, and with a pass breakup as well. Phillips has been building momentum lately, and with De’Vondre Campbell still out, he will look to maximize the opportunities coming his way this weekend.

Anthony Johnson Jr.

Among all of the safety talk this offseason, I liked watching the way that Johnson plays his game. He showed some ball hawk skills with a nice pass breakup, as well as his ability to crash down on the run with four total tackles. While Johnson Jr. suffered a knee injury this week in practice, it isn’t considered long term so hopefully he can heal up and get back out as soon as possible.

Seattle Seahawks Game – Players to watch

While some of those bright spots will have all eyes on them again this week, let’s take a look at some individuals to watch this week against the Seattle Seahawks

All First Team Offense

This one is easy so I grouped them together. The first team offense will look to keep their momentum rolling with the drives they are given.

Malik Heath

This one is self-explanatory. Heath has continued to show out as I stated earlier, but consistency is big in this league. Heath will look to build on to what he already has momentum-wise and ride that into the season assuming he makes the 53-man roster.

Rasheed Walker

Walker has been nothing but impressive thus far, even moving up the depth chart so far it seems as if he has gone to getting starting reps with the first-team offense. Walker’s progression is clear, and he will look to continue to solidify that statement in the game this week.

Emanuel Wilson

Wilson has done more than exceed his expectations thus far, only making the running back room decisions harder for the Packers. He is the preseason’s leading rusher, while again, it is preseason, Wilson has proven he is someone you can count on when the pads come on to perform. That is a huge thing to see out of someone trying to make the 53-man roster. Wilson has been fun to watch, and I expect that to continue this week, especially if Tyler Goodson and Lew Nichols are both out again as well which is expected.

Jadakis Bonds

Bonds, a UDFA out of Hampton, was very productive in college for the Pirates. He has been showing that potential, especially recently. This week, Bonds was up there among the standout players in practice with his biggest play coming on a nice ninety-yard touchdown from Alex McGough. Bonds is an interesting watch and makes some nice blocks as well. Keep your eyes out for number six this week.

Alex McGough

McGough, a two-time USFL champion, knows how to win, and has proven he can make those wow throws when he has received opportunities. While Clifford was officially named quarterback two today, I will be interested to see what McGough can bring to the table with his reps. With Jadakis Bonds mentioned before him in this list as someone with a good week of practice, someone is throwing those balls for him to make plays and that has been Alex McGough. It will be very interesting to watch McGough work with receivers Bonds, Duece Watts, and Cody Chrest this upcoming weekend.

Austin Allen

Allen is trying to prove he can take over the Tyler Davis role with him being out for the season with a torn ACL. Allen has a huge frame, and if he can continue to show he can use it to his advantage, he could find himself on the border of that 53-man roster.

All First Team Defense

Just like offense this is easy. With everyone who is healthy expected to play, the defense will look to show dominance again this week and play fast.

Kingsley Enagbare

Another guy who speaks for himself with his play last week, but Enagbare is someone to watch out for again this week. Coming off a monster game, he will look to replicate that again this week.

Brenton Cox Jr.

Cox Jr. is another name I find myself consistently talking or reading about. The UDFA edge out of Florida has been making positive plays all of camp as well, he is just in a room loaded with talent everywhere you look. Cox Jr. will look to continue his great play this week and show he belongs on this team.

William Hooper

Talking about a standout rookie on defense, you have another one here in William Hooper. He is in the top ten out of all rookies in PFF grading overall throughout the first two preseason games with a 90.3 grade. It has been clear that he can play both man and zone when given the chance, while also being able to be effective as well. He will look to continue to show he is worth a spot on the 53-man roster this weekend.

Carrington Valentine

Valentine took a step back last week a little bit on a touchdown given up by his miscommunication and jumping a route. Nonetheless, he has responded this week in practice by flying around making the plays we have seen throughout camp and preseason so he lands himself back on this list. He seems like a roster lock, and more so now is playing for playing time, but keep your eyes out for number thirty-seven this week.

Jimmy Phillips Jr.

I continue to admire the run fits that Phillips puts on film. Leading the team in tackles last week, mixed with De’Vondre Campbell missing more time, lands Phillips Jr. on this list again. He will look to prove he can be effective for this team on special teams as well as a linebacker when his number is called upon.

Special Teams

Anders Carlson

Carlson responded well to missing two extra points the previous game, going three for three against the Patriots. Adding a fifty-two-yard field goal was a great accomplishment by the rookie who has seen his fair share of kicks miss thus far. While he didn’t have a solid day earlier this week, Carlson responded again Thursday going six for eight at practice. With the leg power, if Carlson can get the accuracy down, he will be booming kicks, and the quicker, the better.

Daniel Whelan

Whelan was the XFL punter of the year this past year and he has shown why by booming punts to the moon. He will look to show he belongs on an NFL roster this week both as a punter and a kickoff guy as well, while Pat O’Donnell will look to defend his job in the punter competition.

If you want to check out my previous players to watch for, check here.

Otherwise, I will have a 53-man roster prediction out following the game Saturday.