Packers: Jaire Alexander looked like an All-Pro in Week 1
Jaire Alexander had an All-Pro performance in the Packers’ season opener.
After two strong seasons with the Green Bay Packers, Jaire Alexander is hoping to take the next step and become an All-Pro in 2020.
To do that, he’ll need to improve his consistency and also make more key plays and force more turnovers.
If Week 1 is anything to go on, Alexander is well on his way. The third-year pro stepped up when the Packers needed him against the Minnesota Vikings, making multiple game-changing plays that swung the momentum the Packers’ way.
Alexander finished the game with five tackles, one pass defense, one sack, one interception, and one safety. Not only did he make big plays, it was also the timing of them.
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After turning the ball over on downs from Minnesota’s one-yard line, the defense needed to step up and make a play to help swing the momentum back in Green Bay’s direction. Alexander did just that, rushing the quarterback uncovered to make an incredible play, sacking Kirk Cousins in the end zone for a safety.
The Packers added two points to their total and also received the ball back. Before the play, they were trailing the Vikings 7-3.
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Later in the second quarter, the Packers put together an impressive 11-play touchdown drive to take a 15-7 lead. Despite playing well, the game was still close. Alexander went a way to changing that by intercepting Cousins on the Minnesota 45-yard line with a little over 30 seconds to go in the half.
Aaron Rodgers said thank you very much, firing a 45-yard touchdown pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling two plays later. This was a perfect example of the defense making a key turnover and the offense following it up. We didn’t see enough of this from the Packers last year.
It’s early days in the 2020 season. For Alexander to take that next step and become an All-Pro cornerback, he needs more performances like this one. We hoped to see more game-changing plays from Alexander this year, and he delivered in the season opener.