Week one of the NFL season will conclude tonight as the New York Jets take on the San Francisco 49ers. The Green Bay Packers fell to the Philadelphia Eagles 34-29 in Brazil as a part of the first ever NFL game in South America. It was a back and forth game from the opening kick. Green Bay missed out on two opportunities to score first quarter touchdowns, but had to settle for field goals. Here are three stud and three duds from Friday night’s game.
Green Bay Packers Studs: Jayden Reed
Jayden Reed was the best player on the field between two teams Friday night. You could put Eagles running back Saquon Barkley in this too, but every time Reed touched the ball, he was electric. He only touched the ball five times, but Reed accumulated 171 yards and one touchdown.
A popular topic around Green Bay is who is the number one receiver on this team. There isn’t much of a debate anymore. It is Reed, the second year slot receiver out of Michigan State. His separation and yards after the catch was impressive on a slippery playing field. Reed was excellent for the Green Bay Packers.
Emmanuel Wilson
Wilson only had four carries for 46 yards Friday night, but he gave the Green Bay Packers life in the second quarter. Josh Jacobs was struggling in the backfield most of the first half. Wilson was given the opportunity and he made the most of it. It also allowed Jacobs to get settled in, who ended the night with 84 yards on 16 carries.
I think people forget Wilson was on the active roster in both playoff games. He has been great in the last two preseasons and has earned his roster spot. If this is his role on the team, Wilson does a great job at it.
Javon Bullard
The rookie safety recorded 11 tackles, including seven solo. There was also a play where Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown went to block Bullard. It was Brown, an established veteran, who ended up on the ground.
The feeling has always been Bullard would be a day one starter next to Xavier McKinney. The duo finally got to play an entire game together and combined for 15 tackles and one interception. Bullard showed early he belongs in this league.
Green Bay Packers Duds: Rasheed Walker
Walker had a solid end to the season last year. He was seen as a starter right away in OTA’s and training camp. However, the third year tackles gave up four pressures and struggled all night.
To be fair, the Eagles will probably be the best defensive line the Green Bay Packers will face all season. Jalen Carter, Brandon Graham, and Jordan Davis are all hard to handle. Walker will have better games, but this one was a tough showing.
Quay Walker
It seems like you get either good Quay Walker or bad Quay Walker every game. The good news? Walker had 11 tackles, tied for the most with Javon Bullard. The bad news? He was out position numerous times and the Eagles running game made the Green Bay Packers defense pay for it.
Maybe it was a wrong guess or something else, but Walker being out of position continues to be an issue for the third year Georgia linebacker. As the leader of the defense who wears the green dot, Walker needs to stay in correct position. Otherwise the entire play is wrecked.
Josh Meyers
At this point, it is not a surprise Josh Meyers was a dud in a game. It happens just about every game. Like Rasheed Walker, Meyers also gave up four pressures. He was injured in the last few plays of the game, but Matt LaFleur mentioned he was alright.
I was surprised when Green Bay did not address the center position at some point in the draft, but there are multiple players who can play center on this Green Bay Packers team. The idea is to have the best five players on the offensive line. I tend to disagree Meyers is one of them and the film continues to show it.
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