Packers complete preseason with victory over Chiefs

Finally, preseason is complete.

The next time the Green Bay Packers play football, it’ll be in the season opener against their oldest rivals, the Chicago Bears. It’s an important game for the 2019 season, but also for the NFL, which enters its 100th season.

The Packers will be entering that game on the back of a victory, for what it’s worth. Head coach Matt LaFleur completed his first preseason with the Packers defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 27-20 at Lambeau Field on Thursday night.

As expected, the Packers were without their starters and this game put the spotlight on players competing for roster spots.

Despite that, many of the position battles are still hard to call.

Who will be the backup quarterback? DeShone Kizer completed eight of 15 passes for 77 yards, one touchdown and one interception, while Tim Boyle completed three of six passes for 18 yards and a touchdown.

Rookie running back Dexter Williams led the team in rushing with nine carries for 34 yards and a touchdown, and he also had two catches for 30 yards. Has Williams done enough to secure a spot as the third running back on the depth chart, or will that go to Tra Carson?

Will wide receiver Darrius Shepherd make the roster? Shepherd has played well throughout the preseason, but he fumbled on a kickoff return tonight. Shepherd only had one catch for three yards, but had three kickoff returns and one punt return.

Another positional battle of note is at kicker. No field goals were attempted, but Sam Ficken converted both of his extra-point attempts. Mason Crosby, however, missed one of his two attempts.

There hasn’t been much between the two this summer, but even with the miss on Thursday night, the more experienced Crosby should be the favorite to win the job.

We’ll find out the answers by Saturday when the Packers cut their roster to 53 players.

What are your takeaways from the preseason?