For weeks, the Green Bay Packers’ defense was the talk of training camp. On Saturday, the team finally got to show what it could do against another NFL team. In their first preseason game, the Packers beat the Cleveland Browns 23-10, with the Browns’ only touchdown coming with 5:08 left in the fourth quarter. The Packers decided not to extend their lead any further and ended the game on their knees three yards from the goal line.
Most of Green Bay’s starters were in the game, but the first team on offense and defense only managed one tackle each. On offense, the Jordan Love-led team was on the field for just three plays: a seven-yard run to newly signed running back Josh Jacobs, a checkdown to Jacobs and a 65-yard bomb throw by Love that led to a third down.
The Packers’ first team defense allowed just 27 yards on their only drive of the game, despite cornerback Jaire Alexander being out for personal reasons. Alexander was spotted on the Green Bay sideline and traveled to Cleveland for the game.
Second-round rookie Javon Bullard started at safety, the most open competition on the Packers’ roster right now. With Alexander out, cornerback Keisean Nixon got some outside cornerback snaps, which gave Bullard some slot reps during the game. However, when Nixon played in the slot, it was usually Corey Ballentine who played as the backup starter at outside cornerback.
Rookie linebackers Edgerrin Cooper and Ty’Ron Hopper also missed games due to injury. In base 4-3 sets, the Packers used Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson as outside linebackers, as has been the norm this summer, alongside Mike linebacker Quay Walker. In nickel sets, McDuffie was the primary stack linebacker, paired with Walker.
With Zach Tom still absent from practice despite recovering from a chest injury, Andre Dillard was the team’s right tackle on Saturday. When the team fielded its second offense, Dillard was moved to left tackle, a sign that the Packers view Dillard as more of a swing tackle and true backup right tackle.
Two defensive linemen stood out in the game: Devonte Wyatt and Lukas Van Ness, both of whom came off the bench for the team. Wyatt didn’t appear on the scoresheet, but he created several pressure situations early in the game. Van Ness, on the other hand, had three tackles for loss and a sack. You’ll hear a lot of praise for his performance today.
Running back Emanuel Wilson, a preseason star last year, also had a good game. Wilson managed 13 carries for 67 yards and a 23-yard touchdown on Saturday. Green Bay’s top three running backs, Jacobs, AJ Dillon and MarShawn Lloyd, managed just six runs combined. Lloyd was injured after just one run.
Safety Evan Williams, who is competing with Bullard and Anthony Johnson Jr. for a spot as starting safety, also had a forced fumble against the Browns. While the defense failed to intercept a ball, they did bring down three different quarterbacks and totaled four tackles for loss in the win. We can call that a good performance from new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s unit.
In the kicking game, Anders Carlson was used as the first-look placekicker. Carlson made two of two field goals for 46 yards. He also made his PAT attempt. Greg Joseph made a 35-yard field goal and a PAT. Based on tonight’s rotation, the only player on the entire Packers roster who might not have been in the game was third-string kicker Alex Hale, who was just signed from Green Bay this week.
