The Green Bay Packers delivered a disappointing team performance in their Week 2 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, resulting in a 1-1 record for the season.
In a frustrating turn of events, the offense ground to a halt during the fourth quarter after a promising start with 24 points across the first three quarters. However, in a meltdown of epic proportions, they failed to complete a single pass and secure a first down. On the other side of the ball, the defense struggled to contain the Falcons, particularly on the ground, despite Atlanta trailing in the game.
As the young Packers learn from the experience, let’s check out the Week 2 stock market. Below is a review of where players stood after their season opener before we dive into this week’s performances. Each player gets a -1 stock for a PFF grade below 55, a 0 stock for a grade between 55.1 and 70 and a +1 stock for a grade above 70.1.
Let’s check in on the Green Bay Packers stock market after Week 2, including updates on Jaire Alexander, Jayden Reed, Darnell Savage and more.
Packers Stock Down (-1):
AJ Dillon, Josh Myers, Rudy Ford, Tucker Kraft, Josiah Deguara, Innis Gaines, Isaiah McDuffie, and Matt Orzech.
Packers Stock Unchanged (0):
Royce Newman, Samori Toure. Luke Musgrave. Jon Runyan, Jayden Reed, Elgton Jenkins, Rasheed Walker, Yosh Nijman, Malik Health, Patrick Taylor, Ben Sims, Dontayvion Wicks, Sean Clifford, Colby Wooden, Carrington Valentine, T.J Slaton, Dallin Leavitt, Lukas Van Ness, Kinglsey Enagbare, Justin Hollins, Jonathan Owens, Karl Brooks, Keisean Nixon, and Daniel Whelan.
Packers Stock Up (+1):
Jordan Love, David Bakhtiari, Romeo Doubs, Aaron Jones, Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt, Zach Tom, Rashan Gary, Rasul Douglas, Darnell Savage, Preston Smith, Eric Wilson, Kenny Clark, Jaire Alexander, De’Vondre Campbell, and Anders Carlson.
Bear Market (Stock Falling)
Biggest Fallers: Josiah Deguara (-2), Kinglsey Enagbare (-1), Jaire Alexander (0), Darnell Savage (0), Devonte Wyatt (0)
After finishing with the third-worst PFF grade in Week 1, Josiah Deguara turned in the worst performance in Week 2, putting him as the 46th-ranked tight end in the NFL this season (among 50 qualified candidates). He was particularly bad in run and pass blocking against the Falcons.
Unsurprisingly, the rest of the list comprises defensive players with key roles on the Packers. Jaire Alexander stood out above the rest (and not in a good way). He gave up five receptions on six targets for 99 yards and a touchdown. Alexander, Enagbare, Savage and Wyatt combined for six of Green Bay’s eight missed tackles.
Others: AJ Dillon (-2), Royce Newman (-1), Malik Heath (-1), Patrick Taylor (-1), Karl Brooks (-1), Colby Wooden (-1), Isaiah McDuffie (-1)
Unchanged
Rudy Ford (-1), Josh Myers (-1), Tucker Kraft (-1), Innis Gaines (-1), Matt Orzech (-1), Rasheed Walker (0), Ben Sims (0), Jon Runyan (0), Luke Musgrave (0), Yosh Nijman (0), Christian Watson (0), Samori Toure (0), Dallin Leavitt (0), Elgton Jenkins (0), Carrington Valentine (0), TJ Slaton (0), Emanuel Wilson (0), Keisean Nixon (0), Romeo Doubs (+1), Zach Tom (+1), Jordan Love (+1), Preston Smith (+1), Rasul Douglas (+1), De’Vondre Campbell (+1), Kenny Clark (+1), Rashan Gary (+1), Eric Wilson (+1), David Bakhtiari (+1), Aaron Jones (+1)
Rashan Gary played 22 snaps (after 12 in Week 1) and pretty well against the pass. He generated three total pressures, including a sack, and continues to be disruptive from the edge. However, he was horrible against the run, losing his assignment on a Desmond Ridder option and allowing the quarterback to get the edge.
Josh Myers had a bounce-back game of sorts. After playing horribly in the season-opener, he was solid in both the run and the pass on Sunday. PFF ranked him as the best Packers’ offensive lineman in the game and third-best player on offense.
Bull Market (Stock Rising)
Biggest Risers: Jayden Reed (+1), Dontayvion Wicks (+1)
With Christian Watson still out and Romeo Doubs invisible for most of the game, the Packers’ rookie wide receivers stepped up.
Jayden Reed finished the game with four receptions for 37 yards and two touchdowns. He continues to show his burst of speed and playmaking ability, this time taking a jet sweep around the edge and squirting into the end zone.
After missing most of the preseason, Dontayvion Wicks is also showing the type of playmaker he can be. He caught a pass from Love across the middle, broke a tackle and darted past another would-be tackler into the end zone. With Reed and Wicks in the fold, Green Bay has a very formidable top-four wide receivers.
Others: Anders Carlson (+2), Quay Walker (+2), Justin Hollins (+1), Lukas Van Ness (+1), Daniel Whelan (+1),