The goal in the NFL is to go 1-0 every week, and this week, the Green Bay Packers are 1-0. Now, is a 27-23 nail biter against the Arizona Cardinals ideal? No, especially when it comes against backup QB
Jacoby Brissett. Do I care? A little bit! Let’s unpack this week’s winners and losers from a very dumb football game, as the Packers move on to 4-1-1 on the season.
Winner: Josh Jacobs
I simply cannot quit Josh Jacobs and don’t plan to anytime soon. For the third straight game, Jacobs had multiple rushing touchdowns. Next week, he can make it 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers and tie Derrick Henry for the most consecutive games with multiple rushing TDs since LaDanian Tomlinson had EIGHT back in 2006 (!).
Today’s performance is even more impressive when you remember Jacobs has been battling an illness which had him vomiting during last week’s game, and a calf injury which made him a game time decision today. He finished the day with 13 rushes for 55 yards and two scores.
Winner: Tucker Kraft
The Packers TE looked great today, picking up serious yardage when it was needed, and coming in clutch with a sideline catch on 4th and 2. He also found his way to the end zone for the second straight week. Bonus points for his blocking today too! Kraft finished the day catching 5 of 10 targets for 58 yards and a score.
Loser: Third Downs
On both sides of the field today, the Packers absolutely failed on third downs. In the first half, the offense was just 1 of 5 on third down. After what I’m assuming was a spirited halftime pep talk from Matt LaFleur, the offense promptly went 3-and-out to start the second half. Coming into today’s game, the Packers had the league’s best conversion rate on third downs with 52.3%. Really uninspiring play from a Matt LaFleur offense that has the ability to steamroll teams, but actively chooses not to.
On the defensive side of things, we saw too many explosive plays given up on third down, including a 35 yard pickup by Marvin Harrison Jr. on 3rd and 14, a Trey McBride TD on 3rd and 4, and this 43 yard bomb caught by Zay Jones on 3rd and 23. With the play we saw on both sides of the ball today, the Packers are honestly quite lucky to come out of this one on top.
Loser: Nate Hobbs
I think we officially have a Nate Hobbs problem. A Hobblem, if you will. Jacoby Brissett knew where Hobbs was at all times today, and took advantage, rightfully so. It felt like the entire Cardinals highlight reel consisted of plays targeting the defensive back. This season, Hobbs is allowing a passer rating of 120.9 when targeted. At what point does Jeff Hafley make the switch to Carrington Valentine outside, and why isn’t Hobbs playing more in the slot, an area in which he excels? Questions that need answers, Hafley!
Winner: Micah Parsons
Well well well, if it isn’t the best thing to happen to the Packers in several years. After a few weeks of being silenced by holds which weren’t flagged, Parsons made quite the impact against the Cardinals today, starting with the very first drive. Parsons had two extremely clutch stops, one at the line of scrimmage on a run play. The other? A sack on third and goal to force a Cardinals field goal during a drive which seemed like they were certain to score a touchdown.
Parsons’ impact continued into the second half. After the special teams unit set the Packers up for absolute failure (surprise surprise) by allowing a big return and adding additional yardage with a penalty, the Cardinals were already midfield without taking a snap. Jacoby Brissett promptly marched the offense into 1st and goal, and then 2nd and goal, and then 3rd and goal, and then he marched himself right into a Micah Parsons SACK. Once again, the Cardinals offense was forced to settle for a field goal.
But wait, there’s more! On the final drive of the game, the Cardinals were once again marching down the field, this time in search of a game-winning touchdown. Inexplicably, Parsons was not on the field for a portion of this drive. Maybe Jeff Hafley forgot! Anyways, as soon as he came back into the game, Parsons got his third sack of the day for a 9 yard loss. The next plays: QB scramble well short of a first down, incomplete pass, incomplete pass. Game over.
On three drives which could’ve ended in at least 21 points, Micah Parsons almost singlehandedly held the Cardinals to 6. Play like this is why you give up multiple first round picks and record-breaking contract extensions. Parsons finished the day with 5 tackles, 5 QB hits, and his first 3-sack NFL game. At the time of writing, he is credited with 10 pressures.
Winner: Lucas Havrisik
Feeling cute, might casually break a franchise record with a 61 yard field goal in my second week with the team. The team’s previous record was 58 yards, set in 2011 by Mason Crosby, if you’ve heard of him. An absolute Matt Flynn game for Havrisik, who was perfect once again for the Packers with 2 FGs and 3 successful XP attempts. Can we keep him?
Loser: My Ears
JONATHAN VILMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.
The Packers head into Week 8 with a 4-1-1 record, and currently sit at 2nd place in the NFC behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Their play may be uninspiring at times, but in a wide open conference, they’re winning, and that’s what matters. The team’s next matchup will come in Pittsburgh against the 4-2 Steelers on Sunday Night Football, as they face off against Aaron Rodgers for the first time since trading him in 2023. Buckle up, everyone.
