Packers Stock Report: Week 2

The Green Bay Packers are right where they need to be two games into the season, 2-0 with two divisional wins and on pace for a record-setting offense. Even the defense took a step forward from their performance in week one with some timely stops against the Detroit Lions.

Matt LaFleur has his offense clicking and Aaron Rodgers has been borderline unstoppable. 1,010 yards of offense and 85 points through two games has only been done once before in NFL history. With Rodgers at the helm, Aaron Jones in the backfield, and Davante Adams out wide, this offense is capable of hitting you from multiple angles. Although, don't expect them to keep up this pace for the entire season.

Right now, Green Bay might be the hottest team in the league, but under LaFleur, they will never get ahead of themselves living by a one game at a time mentality. This week they dominated the Lions in a 42-21 victory, and it’s time for the weekly stock report heading into week three.

Buy

  1. Aaron Jones

Sunday was a career day for Jones. He posted a career-high 236 yards from scrimmage, which also set a new franchise record, and added three touchdowns. Jones owes a lot of credit to his offensive line, which played phenomenally, but he was spectacular. Detroit had no answer for Jones whether it was on the ground or through the air. His versatility continues to shine and makes you wonder if the Packers would really let this guy walk in free agency.

  1. Robert Tonyan

He won the starting tight end job in training camp, and no one is going to take it from him anytime soon. Tonyan has been a solid piece in LaFleur’s offense and showed a little of what he’s capable of against the Lions. Just before halftime, he sold a corner route to the back of the end zone before stopping and getting complete separation from the safety for an easy touchdown. Tonyan should continue to get a bulk of the snaps at tight end over the next few weeks. Jace Sternberger didn’t help himself with a pair of drops Sunday (one would have been negated by a penalty), but so far, Tonyan has proven he can be the guy.

  1. Rashan Gary

A first-round bust? Gary isn’t having it. The 2019 12th overall pick didn’t make much of an impact as a rookie playing behind Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith. In year two, however, he’s starting to live up to the first-round hype. On Sunday, Gary had four tackles (two solo), two QB hits, and 1.5 sacks. He also was responsible for the hurry that led to the pick-six made by cornerback Chandon Sullivan. Through two games, Gary is seeing more snaps and making his presence felt. He leads the team with four QB hits, so expect more sacks to follow.

  1. Chandon Sullivan

As mentioned previously, it was a big week for Sullivan who made a pivotal play. The defense’s starting nickel didn’t have a great start to the season but rebounded against Detroit with a huge interception for a touchdown and a couple pass deflections. Sullivan was left with big shoes to fill after being chosen to replace Tramon Williams as the team’s starting nickel. Sunday was an encouraging sign for the 24-year-old corner who still has a lot of development ahead.

Sell

  1. Jace Sternberger

It’s an obvious choice, but Sternberger has to be a sell for the time being. His snap count increased by four from week one to week two, and he dropped his only target. The play was designed to go to Sternberger the whole way as he ran his route to the flat for an easy dumb off from Rodgers. However, the third-round tight end couldn’t hold on for what would have been a big catch and run and his first official regular-season reception. Rookie Josiah Deguara was more effective in the opener but was sidelined this week with a leg injury. Despite Sternberger seeing a boost in his snaps, he was unable to capitalize. When Deguara returns, Sternberger’s playing time could get reduced.

  1. Dean Lowry

Green Bay extended Lowry in 2019, but the defensive end hasn’t done much in the interim. He didn’t record a single sack last year and has been unsettlingly quiet in 2020. In 83 snaps this year, Lowry has just two tackles (one solo). As the starting defensive end on a stacked line, Lowry needs to do more. His film isn't great, and because of how rarely he sees double teams, his production should be better than it is.

 

 

 

Brandon Carwile is a Packers writer who also enjoys watching and breaking down film. Follow him on Twitter @PackerScribe.

8 points
 

Comments (23)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
ILPackerBacker's picture

September 23, 2020 at 12:28 pm

I credit MP as DC and his refusal to scheme out players like Blake on obvious passing downs with a fair share of the rookie year issues (with tongue in cheek) of Gary. 2 sacks in 25% of the snaps works out to 8 sacks if he got starter sacks.

Mike P had Frackrell getting those snaps. A function of bad design and unwillingness to to give other players snaps. With terrible INLB play a large part of the year Summers didn't get a single snap...even in the Raider rout

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CAG123's picture

September 23, 2020 at 12:30 pm

Dean Lowry’s tape just screams rotation player he isn’t going to wow you or blow you away or take over a game he’s going to show up and play to the best of his abilities a good locker room character guy he should not be in the starting lineup though.

6 points
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Minniman's picture

September 23, 2020 at 03:50 pm

On a side note - I saw Maurice Hurst play a solid game for LV against NO. He's quietly been building a solid reputation as a DT. When he was sliding in the 2018 draft I really wanted the Packers to pick him in the 3rd or 4th round (he went in the 5th - due to a trumped up heart issue). Clark and Hurst would have anchored the Packers for a good 6 years as I saw that neither Lowry or Adams were making the necessary jumps to allay any concerns

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CoachDino's picture

September 24, 2020 at 01:11 am

He doesn't pick up his game it's going to scream cap casualty.

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CoachDino's picture

September 24, 2020 at 01:11 am

He doesn't pick up his game it's going to scream cap casualty.

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Bearmeat's picture

September 23, 2020 at 02:18 pm

If this team can stay healthy, keep from hemorraghing 150+ on the ground to good teams, and get some better safety play, they're going to be tough to beat.

Two large ifs in there though. We're about to start to find out what they're really made of. They've done better than we all thought (or most of us anyway), especially at WR. So far. But they NFCN is also garbage... so...

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mnbadger's picture

September 24, 2020 at 07:55 am

NFCN? help me understand, thanx.

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Jonathan Spader's picture

September 24, 2020 at 09:34 am

Nfc North you know the conference the Packers are in.

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mnbadger's picture

September 25, 2020 at 12:32 pm

thanks, didn't need the attitude though. ;)

1 points
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egbertsouse's picture

September 23, 2020 at 02:58 pm

I’d also buy some Jamal Williams, he does his job as Belichick would say. I’d sell Darnell Savage. Watching him gives me flashbacks of HHCD floating around away from the play waiting for overthrows and tipped balls.

2 points
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stockholder's picture

September 23, 2020 at 03:05 pm

My buys are Jones and Rodgers. Digging out of holes is No easy task. Selling savage.

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Coldworld's picture

September 23, 2020 at 10:45 pm

Pump the breaks a bit on a Tonyan. Being the number one general TE (Lewis has a distinct role) is one thing with the competition being absent or as ineffective as Sternberger was. In week one Tonyan was much less spectacular than Deguara (albeit he’s not a true TE in our system. The combination last week made him the only available option really and I’m not sure he was thrown to more than Lewis.

Tonyan has improved his blocking to adequate and he did run a good route on his touch down, but I’m going to want to see him impose himself before accepting he is a buy, except by default. Some good signs but not there yet by any means.

In the cheap section, I might give a shout to Jackson, Scott and Redmond. All three made plays.

5 points
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murf7777's picture

September 24, 2020 at 09:11 am

CW, I agree about Tonyan and Deguara and I might add Sternberger is a better blocker and has shown to run good routes to get open, he just needs time and confidence. I think Tonyan has potential, but the jury is still out.

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frankthefork's picture

September 23, 2020 at 03:39 pm

Nice summary. Just keep scoring 40 points a game and let's hang on for the win will work.
IMO Packers need two more better than just guys on defense. Then I can say Super Bowl or bust!

1 points
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packerbackerjim's picture

September 23, 2020 at 04:02 pm

Off-topic, I’m saddened by the death of Gale Sayers. He was the most electrifying runner I have ever seen and a most worthy foe. Ultimate respect for #40.

11 points
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Guam's picture

September 23, 2020 at 06:04 pm

Agreed PBJ. The best running back I have ever seen. Sad day for football fans when one of the greats passes.

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Roadrunner23's picture

September 23, 2020 at 05:40 pm

A tip o’ the cap to Gale Sayers one of the greats and fondly remembered in those Packers-Bears rivalry games of the 60’s
RIP

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Since'61's picture

September 23, 2020 at 06:06 pm

Gale Sayers passed away today. He remains the best RB I have ever seen. He played behind a non- existent OL and he still had 1000 yard seasons. He was an effective receiver out of the backfield and he returned punts and kickoffs. He could score from anywhere on the field on any play.

He was the smoothest runner I’ve ever seen. Absolutely spectacular in the open field. He and John Unitas were the only opposing players I actually feared during the Lombardi era.

If you are too young to have watched Sayers play check him out on You Tube or videos of his runs. He was special and I doubt that we will ever see another RB like him in our lifetimes. I know that I haven’t yet.

Buy: Jamaal Williams Sell: Savage

Thanks, Since ‘61

6 points
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LambeauPlain's picture

September 24, 2020 at 08:54 am

Agree...although I would add Jim Brown to the list of players to fear on game day during Vince’s tenure. Sayers was a gazelle. Just tremendous speed and balance and quickness. Brown was a sledge hammer who was tough and powerful and just would not go down. His single season gaining over 1,800 yards was viewed as unbreakable at the time.

I think it was Willie Davis who said he hated going against Brown because he would be sore for a week afterward.

Too bad Sayers had his career cut short by the knee injury. Today they may have been able to repair it. Class act.

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murf7777's picture

September 24, 2020 at 09:14 am

61’ hard to believe you would sell Savage. All he did last year was make the “all rookie” team. It’s 2 games and he’s still learning.

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Nate-1980's picture

September 24, 2020 at 05:26 pm

I just watched some Sayers highlights, very fluid runner and respect to him, but nobody did it like Barry Sanders, it’s not even close in my opinion..

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mnbadger's picture

September 27, 2020 at 03:02 pm

I loved watching gale sayers and he was the most explosive player in the NFL to that point. More importantly, he was a wonderful human being, nothing but class.
However, Sanders did more with 9 guys in the box than anybody. Emmitt Smith couldn't carry Barry's duffel bag. GPG

2 points
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PackerBacker84's picture

September 24, 2020 at 11:28 am

I wouldn’t necessarily Sell on Savage at this early stage of the season. He’ll adjust with Gray in the fold. And I’d HAVE to sell on Kirksey. I watched him in this last game. He was filling gaps.... of his OL’s Butts! He washed himself out of so many plays. Made a few, but otherwise unimpressed. Still too early for anyone to tell, honestly.

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