The Green Bay Packers are coming off a thrilling come-from-behind victory against the New Orleans Saints, winning 18-17. It was a showing in which Green Bay was dominated all game up until the fourth quarter. They entered the final quarter down 17 points and managed to climb their way back up to complete the comeback.
Despite the Packers playing three ugly quarters of football, they had their players who managed to show up and were part of the reason they managed to pull off such a great comeback. Along with those are the players who could’ve helped avoid the big hole the Packers dug themselves into. Here are this week’s slay and bomb performers.
Slay
Rashan Gary
Packers LB Rashan Gary (52) – Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK
If you watched the game, you know exactly why Rashan Gary is on here. Gary was an absolute force for the Green Bay Packers, giving the Saints’ tackles trouble all game. He finished the game with three sacks and was constantly getting pressure and finding his way into the backfield.
In a game where the Green Bay Packers were missing their top corner in Jaire Alexander, pressure was needed, and Gary absolutely delivered. Gary was one of the main reasons that the Packers were able to keep themselves in the game and not allow a single point in the second half.
Jordan Love
Packers QB Jordan Love (10) – Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK
While you can say Jordan Love wasn’t perfect for the Green Bay Packers, he did what he needed to do in the 4th quarter. After three shaky quarters that also included his first interception of the season, Love bounced back and led his team to a comeback victory down 17 in the final quarter. Midway through the fourth quarter, down 17-3, Love executed a read option on fourth and goal, where he pulled it and ran for his first career rushing touchdown. He then proceeded to complete a nice two-point conversion.
On the go-ahead drive, Love was able to draw two huge pass interference calls that set up a Romeo Doubs touchdown where he perfectly placed the ball for Doubs. While his stat line of 22/44 for 259 yards and two touchdowns (one passing, one rushing) and an interception isn’t the prettiest, Love executed when it mattered most, which is what makes a quarterback great.
Romeo Doubs
Packers WR Romeo Doubs (87) – Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK
With Christian Watson sidelined again, the Green Bay Packers needed someone to step up, and that’s exactly what Romeo Doubs was able to do. He finished the game with five catches for 73 yards and a touchdown, the important go-ahead as a matter of fact.
While it wasn’t an insane game on paper, Doubs made key plays at key times, helping Green Bay mount their comeback. Late in the third quarter, he made an insane 30-yard catch where he managed to get the tips of his fingers on the ball while dragging his toes down. He also made a great catch going up and getting the ball on the touchdown that put them ahead.
Bomb
AJ Dillon
Packers RB AJ Dillon (28) – Tork Mason/USA Today NETWORK
This seems like a broken record, but AJ Dillon found himself on here again. This isn’t a knock on Dillon or completely his fault, but he again didn’t bring that spark the Green Bay Packers needed. Dillon once again started in place for the injured Aaron Jones and didn’t exactly have the game he may have wanted.
He finished the game with 11 carries for 33 yards, averaging three yards a carry. He also lost snaps later in the game to Patrick Taylor, who was contributing more in the receiving game as well as pass blocking. It’ll be interesting to see who the Green Bay Packers turn to even when Jones returns.
Offensive Line Penalties
Packers OT Rasheed Walker (63) – Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY NETWORK
Some early offensive line struggles early on accounted for a very slow start for the Green Bay Packers. It was sloppy false starts and silly penalties that didn’t allow Jordan Love and the rest of the offense to establish a rhythm.
While they only allowed one sack, the penalties must be cleaned up in order for the Packers to avoid early holes. It also doesn’t help that David Bahktiari and Elgton Jenkins are gone due to injury, but the next man up must be ready.
Coaching in the First Half
Packers HC Matt LaFleur – Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The coaching in the first half, or even the first three quarters, was not pretty for the Green Bay Packers. They were outscored 17-0 in the first half, and things were looking bleak. On the first possession, they had a fourth and two and drew up a play where it was tossed to Emanuel Wilson, and he threw it back to Love. It was a bad toss back to Love who then lost his footing and airmailed the pass. That set the tone for the rest of the game, as the offense looked very dry up until the fourth quarter.
Joe Barry’s defense allowed the Saints to hit short, intermediate passes that gained easy yardage and Chris Olave to get easy yards after the catch. While things were cleaned up in the fourth quarter as momentum shifted, they must be cleaned up if they want to be able to compete. The Green Bay Packers also committed 11 penalties for 90 yards. The coaching staff must be on top of their game before their Thursday night matchup against the division-rival Lions.
