Game Review: Browns Beat Packers 27-24

Jclombardi reviews the first preseason game loss.

Summary: QB Rodgers and no. 1 offense sharp, defense flops, and Browns beat Packers on two late field goals 27-24.

Quick Hits: Early first game jitters.   Deja vu–old defensive issue of coverage and pass rush against (pedestrian) veteran quarterbacks. QB Rodgers, WR Jennings, WR Jones, TE Finley, RB Lumpkin, and CB Underwood had good games.  Reserves LB Bishop, LB Havner, and RB Jackson looked solid in the game.  While they had a lot to learn, rookies S Burnett, OL Bulaga, OL Newhouse, DE Neal, and TE Quarless looked good for their first game.  Special teams and defense have plenty to work on in practice in the coming week after pedestrian showings.

Headlines: Browns 27, Packers 24.  Defensively challenged start for Packers.  Packers fall to Cleveland Browns, 27-24.  How they scored.  Browns Prevail On Last-Play FG.   Photos: Packers-Browns preseason game. 

Analysis: Offense shines, defense flops in preseason loss to Browns.  QBs under the gun in preseason debuts.  Packers’ defense right where it left off.  Insider: Jennings thrives with Finley in arsenal.  Packers’ Grant hit in head, helped off.  Notebook: Special teams a struggle. Special teams have ups and downs.  Notebook: Grant’s Forgettable Night.

Old Defensive Issue:

Commentary: No surprise.  It’s early game jitters and sloppy preseason football, but they still have old offensive and defensive issues to be dealt with before the 1st official game of 2010 NFL season.

Reviews Plus: “[T]he Packers were looking to be better than they showed entering their second year in defensive coordinator Capers’ 3-4 defensive scheme.”  The Packers’ performance “made it clear that the team has some work to do before making travel plans for Dallas in February.”  “There’s no shame in giving up an 80-yard drive to crafty veteran Delhomme, but when your starters give up 162 yards and three touchdowns, it makes it look as though you’ve been pussyfooting around all summer.”

Next preseason game: Saturday at Seattle Seahawks .

Practice Schedule:  Monday, 2 p.m. full pads.