5 Quick Things: GB vs. WAS

After re-watching Sunday’s game against the Commanders, here are five six things worth knowing:

1) Washington wide receiver Terry McLaurin is a very good player, but if Jaire Alexander wants to flap his gums like Deion Sanders during the week, he needs to back up his words. He didn’t on Sunday. The former Louisville star, who became the highest-paid corner in the league a few months ago, was beaten by McLaurin four times for 67 yards, including a long touchdown in the third quarter and a game-clinching reception on third down in the final two minutes. To his credit, Alexander was more physical against the run than in past weeks, but the Packers aren’t paying him $84 million to make tackles.

2) There weren’t many positives on Sunday, but it was nice to see the team’s most recent first-round picks enjoy the best games of their young careers. Inside linebacker Quay Walker was much more active against the run. Instead of trying to slip blocks, he took them on. The result was more tackles within two or three yards of the line of scrimmage. Defensive end Devonte Wyatt was on the field for only 12 snaps, but he showed the type of hustle that should earn him additional playing time in the future. He did a better job of holding his ground at the point of attack and showed up on the stat sheet for the first time since Week 4. Green Bay really needs both rookies to step up as the schedule gets a lot tougher.

3) I’ve been praising Zach Tom since the day he was drafted, so it was exciting to see the fourth-round pick in the starting lineup on Sunday. Playing a position he had barely worked at during training camp, the former Wake Forest made no glaring mistakes in what has to be considered a successful debut. Yes, he was given some help at times, and yes, Aaron Rodgers got rid of the ball very quickly, but that shouldn’t diminish what the rookie accomplished. If Tom can get stronger next offseason, and the coaches allow him to settle in at left tackle, it’s certainly possible the 23-year-old could be the long-term replacement for David Bakhtiari at arguably the most important position on the offensive line.

His athleticism gives Tom (#50) a chance to be a quality tackle. Watch how quickly he gets out of his stance to fend off the outside rusher.

4) With four players starting at new positions on the offensive line, it’s not surprising that the Packers averaged just over three yards per carry against Washington’s formidable front seven. However, the results probably would’ve been better had Marcedes Lewis blocked more consistently. At 38 years of age and with the speed of a three-legged tortoise, the veteran tight end has one job to do, and he wasn’t up to the task on Sunday. The former No. 1 pick by the Jaguars in 2006 struggled to sustain blocks after initial contact and too often let his opponent work to the ball. While all players have off days, considering Lewis offers absolutely nothing in the passing game, he can’t afford to have too many of them.

5) Elgton Jenkin’s move from right tackle to left guard didn’t yield immediate results. Even at his most natural position, the 2020 Pro Bowler still looked shaky against the Commanders. The former Mississippi State star was one of the most athletic interior linemen in the league prior to his knee injury, but his movements look a bit more labored now. Jenkins struggled to cut off linebackers in the run game, and his lateral agility was a problem in pass protection. To be fair, he hadn’t started a game at left guard in 22 months, and he’s still less than a year removed from ACL surgery. That said, he’s going to have to show a lot more in the coming weeks and months if he expects to sign a lucrative long-term extension.

6) One of the things I highlighted in my scouting report on Sammy Watkins was his lack of explosiveness. That became obvious when the former Clemson star didn’t come close to catching a long pass in the first half. It’s debatable whether a 22-year-old Watkins could’ve caught up to the heave, but a 29-year-old Watkins had zero chance. A few hours later, Marquez Valdes-Scantling exploded past a corner for 54-yards in Kansas City’s win over San Francisco. And while I’m not suggesting the Packers should’ve paid MVS $12 million per year, I am reiterating that the threat he posed down the field hasn’t been replaced. On Sunday afternoon, only four of Rodgers’ 35 pass attempts traveled 10 yards past the line of scrimmage.

OVERALL: The loss to the Giants in London was bad, the 17-point loss at home to the Jets seven days later was worse, and the loss in Washington on Sunday was a new low for a Green Bay team that looks uninspired and poorly coached. Theoretically, there’s no reason to panic since there are still 11 games remaining and the conference is surprisingly mediocre, but realistically, there’s little to suggest the 3-4 Packers are capable of righting what looks to be a sinking ship.

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