Sam's Grading the Pack Week 3: Aaron Finally Beats the Bengals
God, it's like the Packers want me to have high blood pressure. We probably should have lost this game, but Aaron Rodgers stepped up as Aaron Rodgers in the second half and my god, that overtime as well. There were more than a few players that ended up with an A+, but don't let overtime fool you: the best player was Josh Jones. Aaron Rodgers and Geronimo Allison will be remembered as the heroes of the game, which is miraculous given how atrocious the offensive line was. Once again, Aaron Rodgers was scrambling for his life, but in the tale of two halves, the O-line was okay and the defense made three huge stops in the final quarter and overtime to close out a roller coaster of a game. This Week 3 win didn't reassure me in any way from last week, but a win is a win.
OVERALL: C+
Offense: C QB/RB: B- WR/TE: B OL: D
Defense: C+ DL: C+ LB: C+ DB: C Special Teams: B
BEST GRADE:
A+: Josh Jones, SS; Jordy Nelson, WR; Geronimo Allison, WR; and Mason Crosby, K.
Usually I start in order, but out of the A+'s, Josh Jones was by far the best. He had 12 Tackles, the most by any Packer this season. His staggering statistic was 2 Sacks, something you wouldn't expect from a Strong safety in any game. The rookie was just man-handling players, including A.J. Green in a game where no other defensive backs could keep up with him. They better keep implementing defensive packages to keep Josh Jones on the field in that hybrid safety/linebacker role. Geronimo Allison pulled in 6 Receptions for 122 Yards, including the game-deciding 72 Yard catch in overtime. With Randall Cobb out and Martellus Bennett as an unreliable weapon, Geronimo stepped up when it counted. Jordy Nelson also had six catches, and although he had 70 fewer yards than Geronimo, he had the two decisive touchdown catches, including an incredible diving catch to send the game into overtime. For a player swallowed up in coverage for most of the game, he proved he's still a Pro Bowl-caliber target for Aaron Rodgers to rely on in big moments. Mason Crosby simply made every attempt he had (2 Field Goals and 3 Extra Points), including the game-winning field goal in overtime.
WORST GRADE:
F: Kyle Murphy, LT; and Justin McCray, LG/RT
Sound familiar? It unfortunately should. Aaron Rodgers was sacked SIX times. Three of those were Kyle Murphy completely botching coverage on rookie outside linebacker Carl Lawson. Justin McCray came in for a drive when Lane Taylor sat out and literally stumbled over himself more than once, giving up one sack there, and then later moving to Right Tackle after Bulaga pulled *insert muscle here* and gave up another sack by just getting mauled. Aaron Rodgers has not been able to be the MVP candidate he easily could be because of how bad our offensive line is, and that isn't going to change anytime soon if Kyle Murphy or Justin McCray are seeing the field. Please stay healthy David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga.
Honorable Mentions: A-: Aaron Rodgers, QB; and Lance Kendricks, TE
Aaron Rodgers had a god awful first half, including just the second pick-six of his career, and the 58.7 QBR demonstrates that. However, he turned that around for 313 Yards, 3 Touchdowns and game-tying and game-winning drives against a team he's never beaten before. Imagine if he had a good offensive line. Lance Kendricks had two catches, one being a pivotal 51 yard catch and the other a one yard touchdown grab to finally get the Packers on the board. Two catches doesn't usually get a player into the "A" range, but when he made no other mistake and two huge plays for the plot of a victory, Kendricks fits the mold.
MVP Watch: With many star players missing at least one game out of the first three, the qualified candidates are much fewer than there will be by the end of the season. That being said, Mason Crosby has been the best player across the first three games, with Aaron Rodgers and Blake Martinez tied right behind him.
STATS OVERVIEW:
Passing = Rodgers: A- (28/42, 313 Yds, 3 TD, 1 INT; 4 Rush, 23 Yds)
Rushing = Montgomery: C (12 Rush, 35 Yds; 8 Rec, 15 Yds)
Receiving = Nelson: A+ (6 Rec, 52 Yds, 2 TDs); Allison: A+ (6 Rec, 122 Yds), Adams: B- (3 Rec, 60 Yds); Kendricks: A- (2 Rec, 52 Yds, 1TD) Bennett: C- (3 Rec, 12 Yds)
Defense = 0 INTs, 3 Sacks (Jones x2, Brooks x1)
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Thank you and God Bless,
Samuel R. Fuller
