Some weeks you lose and don’t really need a Packers positives column because it’s obvious; some weeks you hold out for a win against a team with like 15 guys out and you need to focus on the positives because why the hell did you only win by 5? Let’s get into them.
• Say what you want about this Packers team, but it is probably the best in the league on both sides of the ball at creating big plays. The team led the league by a bunch in big plays on offense going into this game and then today Tucker Kraft had a 66-yard TD and Jayden Reed made an insane catch on a 53-yard play to set-up a TD run. Meanwhile, Xavier McKinney had his fifth interception in five games and recovered a fumble while the defense got pressure with blitzes on Stafford at all the right times. Both sides could get a little more consistent for sure – the offense needs to get better at moving the chains and the defense needs to get pressure with 4 – but both sides already have a knack for creating big plays.
• Jordan Love had another Favre-esque play throwing a pick six from inside the end zone, but he came back from that to throw for two touchdowns and move the ball enough to get the win. Love makes some odd decisions at times, but he tends to come back strong from them.
• The defense in general did well holding the offense to just 7 points for much of the game. I’ve said it almost every week, but the defense just looks better than it has in the past. They bring pressure when they need to. They get to the ball and gang tackle. They don’t give up.
• Jayden Reed had another strong game with 4 catches for 78 yards – he is a star in the making.
• Speaking of stars in the making Tucker Kraft is the best tight end the team has had since maybe Bubba Franks. Kraft is the team’s best blocker overall and probably best at YAC overall. Sometimes he takes a bit to get up to speed, but it’s hard to get him down once he’s going.
• Evan Williams and Javon Bullard played much of this game together in relief of Jaire Alexander and they looked good. Feels like the best version of this defense has both of those two and Edgerrin Cooper starting.
• Speaking of Edgerrin Cooper, the rookie linebacker had a sack, tackle for loss and pressure on the final play for the Rams and still did not play every snap.
• Quay Walker isn’t exactly an all-pro just yet but after a rough few games to start the year he has settled in a little and did well with 9 tackles today and a few effective blitzes.
Mike Price is a lifelong Packers fan currently living in Utah. You can follow him on twitter at @themikeprice.
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