The Green Bay Packers’ preseason has now concluded. If you were looking forward to an extensive preview of quarterback Jordan Love and the first-team offense, the three snaps he took in the opening week of the preseason likely left you wanting more. On a positive note, the starting lineup is relatively healthy heading into the regular season.
After a tough matchup against the Denver Broncos last week, which included both a preseason game and a joint practice at high altitude, the Packers needed a morale boost. They received just that this week, as their offensive and defensive lines dominated the Baltimore Ravens in joint practices, and their reserves won the preseason finale 30-7.
In total, the Packers rested 38 players. Unlike the previous week when the Broncos kept their key players in for a long duration, the Ravens also chose to sit their starters. Among the few notable players who did participate in this game were fifth-round rookie offensive lineman Jacob Monk and second-year defensive tackle Karl Brooks.
The Ravens’ only touchdown was a 48-yard pass from Josh Johnson to Tylan Wallace in the second quarter, while the rest of the game was controlled by the Packers.
Backup quarterbacks Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt combined for a 77.9 passer rating, but the Packers’ running game excelled. Ellis Merriweather, Nate McCrary, and Emanuel Wilson each gained over 50 yards, amassing a total of 193 rushing yards, which surpassed the Ravens’ entire offensive output.
On defense, the Packers recovered two fumbles (one of which was returned for a touchdown by safety Anthony Johnson Jr.), recorded five tackles for loss, made two interceptions, and secured a sack. Defensive end Arron Mosby was the standout player, forcing the fumble that led to Johnson’s touchdown and then intercepting a pass in consecutive drives.
In the kicking game, both Anders Carlson, the returning starter, and Greg Joseph, the offseason addition, successfully made field goals of at least 54 yards against the Ravens. However, Carlson also missed a 32-yard attempt. According to Andy Herman of Packer Report, Carlson has converted 62 of 76 attempts (82 percent) this summer, while Joseph has made 60 of 76 attempts (79 percent). After the game, head coach Matt LaFleur did not confirm whether the team’s starting kicker for the regular season was already on the roster and redirected the question towards general manager Brian Gutekunst.
Regarding injuries, rookie linebacker Ralen Goforth and former draft pick defensive tackle Jonathan Ford were both carted off the field. The Packers reported Goforth’s injury as an ankle issue and Ford’s as a calf problem. There was also a concerning moment when Pratt went down after attempting a tackle on an interception, but he quickly re-entered the game after getting the wind knocked out of him.
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