Key Battles for Packers vs. Denver, Preseason Edition

Saturday's Week 3 "dress rehearsal" against Denver is lush with internal battles at key positions. 

The third preseason is August’s version of primetime football, as traditionally starters see the most action compared to the first, second and final exhibition games. If there’s less buzz heading into Saturday’s matchup in Denver, pin it on the hopes that Aaron Rodgers (and by extension, players like Jordy Nelson, Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, Mike Daniels, etc.) don’t actually play much. 
 
Rodgers’ well-orchestrated, 15-play touchdown drive last week against Washington—which culminated with a fade route to Martellus Bennett—gave fans all the looks they needed during the exhibition season. At this point the goal is 
 
Injuries have already taken a toll, making the key battle for tonight’s contest merely staying healthy. If the Packers are no worse for the wear, there’s hope they’ll be intact enough ready for the season opener—a home game against new age rival Seattle. 
 
Here are some other key battles for Saturday’s game: 
 

Offensive line vs. Broncos pass rush

If Rodgers does play, most likely I’m guessing for a quarter or for a few series, he’ll be without his starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga. The good news this week is that Bulaga’s ankle injury was a sprain and will not require surgery. As good as Green Bay’s starting five is, depth has been an issue and the unit overall has been shaky at best through the first two preseason games. Jason Spriggs has struggled mightily thus far, and now the spotlight is even brighter. Meanwhile, guard Kyle Murphy—who has struck many as a better fit at right tackle all along—will also get his chance to shine. 
 
Even if opts for vanilla defense, the Packers O-line will be challenged. Pass rush extraordinaire Von Miller will make his preseason debut Saturday. Whether it’s Rodgers under center or Brett Hundley, Joe Callahan and Taysom Hill, Green Bay’s line has to make positive strides if they are to be reasonably relied upon come September. 
 

Key positions battle for roster spot

This offseason has been one of the most competitive in recent memory when it comes to key position battles. With that in mind, one of the key battles in Saturday’s game is internal. Who will distance themselves from the competition? At wide receiver, the two rookies DeAngelo Yancey and Malachi Dupre have battled injuries—while Max McCaffrey has quietly gone about an excellent camp and preseason. The outstanding depth doesn’t guarantee that Trevor Davis is safe either, after following a punt return touchdown against the Eagles with a muffed return against Washington. 
 
There are question marks at running back, as well, with Aaron Jones and Devante Mays both fighting for the No. 3 spot behind starter Ty Montgomery and Jamaal Williams, who has all but guaranteed the backup spot. 
 
Don’t forget about outside linebacker, cornerback and the vacated Buluga spot at right tackle. Will Saturday signal the rise of newcomers like cornerback Lenzy Pipkins, or will LaDarius Gunter again rise to the occasion? Will Taysom Hill take over again, and would it be enough to push past Joe Callahan? 
 
Saturday’s biggest battles will be internal. For those interested in the bottom third of the roster, it should make for good theater. 
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Comments (18)

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GBPDAN1's picture

August 26, 2017 at 04:48 pm

Praying there's no injuries tonight and that Bulaga, House and Lowry are ready for the opener. Also hoping our 3rd and 4th Rd picks get healthy soon. This looks like a good team when healthy.

I would also like to see a more potent running game tonight. Go Pack!

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Tundraboy's picture

August 26, 2017 at 07:20 pm

That works for me as well.

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johngalt's picture

August 26, 2017 at 10:20 pm

Honestly can't understand all the hype towards Hundley. Dude looks just like what he is- a backup 5th round pick. Need to tap the brakes on all the trade bait talk.

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johngalt's picture

August 26, 2017 at 11:30 pm

Fair enough. What part do you disagree with? Seems like all you here about is how we need to keep three qbs to prepare for Hundleys departure. He had a lot of time w/ the 1's tonight, and was quick to hit his check downs or throw the slant. I guess I see him as just as unproven as of yet, and not worth all the praise he's getting. Kinda like the Spriggs replacing Bhak talk last yr.

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johngalt's picture

August 27, 2017 at 12:10 am

Don't disagree with you. But, Hill could compete on some teams for a starting spot. Practice squad won't ensure he's safe- he could get on some other 53 somewhere. That's the argument for keeping 3.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 27, 2017 at 12:58 am

They play Hundley against the Rams. A lot. Hundley hasn't looked like he is unable to play in a NFL game, but he hasn't really been impressive. If we want to showcase Hundley, the Rams game is our last chance, barring an injury to AR.

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dobber's picture

August 27, 2017 at 06:40 am

I think Hundley plays about a half. For reasons you post, and they'll need to have a QB of some merit out there to try to distinguish between all these WR they're going to have to sort through.

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dobber's picture

August 27, 2017 at 06:38 am

"I guess I see him as just as unproven as of yet, and not worth all the praise he's getting."

"But, Hill could compete on some teams for a starting spot."

I'll just leave this here...

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 27, 2017 at 01:10 am

As for keeping 3 QBs on the 53, for me at least that kind of thinking was some time ago. I expected Callahan to look a whole lot more tempting than he has. I see no problem sliding Callahan onto the PS. I am even starting to wonder if I would offer him a PS contract.

Hill looks like the better prospect, but he looks like he could easily slide onto the PS. If some team makes a waiver claim on Hill, which I think is doubtful, that happens before we have to decide whether to offer Callahan (or some other team's QB prospect) a PS contract.

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johngalt's picture

August 27, 2017 at 01:15 am

Pretty airtight assessment. Now, where's the pass rush depth?

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flackcatcher's picture

August 27, 2017 at 01:44 am

A lot of this is what the college game has done to the QB position. Spread-shoot- run-option offenses take away a lot of the decision making. Read and react, little to non pass blocking, arm strength and accuracy far less important than being able to create and run in space. So most of the college QB's can not play the the position at the pro level. Take a hard look at the number of pro QB who can even read defenses, and you get a good idea why a guy like Hundley is being talked about so heavily in the NFL. Could he start and be effective for Green Bay, maybe. But could he start and help the Browns, the Jags, and Houston. Yes, without a doubt he would make those teams better. That said, I want him backing up Aaron Rodgers. No need calling Matt Flynn out of retirement again.

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Lphill's picture

August 26, 2017 at 10:44 pm

Spriggs looks worse tonight.if that is even possible .

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Lphill's picture

August 26, 2017 at 10:50 pm

Spriggs update , Von Miller blows past him to sack Rodgers for 11 yard loss .

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 27, 2017 at 01:15 am

The thing is, while Murphy did some good things, he had some really glaring mistakes, and at least one total whiff.

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flackcatcher's picture

August 27, 2017 at 02:10 am

Boy, Spriggs reminded of Newhouse tonight. Be good for two or three plays, then loses mental focus. I'm convinced that he does not have much gas in the tank, and that is the main cause of his footwork and focus problems. It happens when you gain muscle mass so quickly, one gains strength, but loses stamina. Murphy did not surprise me, his lack of lateral movement is a weakness but that can be corrected with practice. Going up against the other teams ones exposes a players weakness. Nothing new. Question is, can both players fix or should I say lessen their liability's this year. (I be asking the wrong question. May be I should be asking were in the world is Ted and the Green Bay front office today.)

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 27, 2017 at 05:35 am

Problem is, Denver's starting RDE and LDE (Wolfe and Crick) were inactive. Just before the end of the first quarter, Crick's back-up got hurt and didn't return. Denver's starting NT, Sylvester Williams, left in FA for about $6M AAV and Denver signed Domato Peko from the Bengals for $3.75M AAV, but with some guaranteed money. In other words, Peko is better than Guion but not as good as a Raji. That means that Denver played one first stringer, and was into third stringers before the first quarter ended.

Going up against #1s exposes weaknesses, yes, but this was against 2s and third stringers.

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flackcatcher's picture

August 27, 2017 at 09:01 am

Denver's front seven is good, big athletes playing at high attitude. I saw our seconds gasping early in the third. Both Spriggs and Murphy did complete, since Denver was mostly speed rushing. But when they lost it, they really lost it. Lack of O2 will do that to you. Don't disagree at all. Pretty much expected this outcome from the beginning. Playing at Denver, there are no little breakdowns. At least MM got Rodgers out early.

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Gforcetrivers's picture

August 26, 2017 at 11:39 pm

Any one else have issues with Game Pass tonight? Spriggs sucked. I don't get the big deal with Hundley.I wanted to see Hill play. So all in all this sucked. I think the NFL has dropped the ball because it is just about impossible to watch all the games.

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