Packers: Winners and losers from Week 3 win vs. Saints

The Packers made a statement with their win over the Saints. Let’s take a look at who played well and who struggled.

Week three is in the books and the Green Bay Packers have pretty much remained themselves through three games. They play great offense and struggle mightily on defense.

The Packers are absolutely going to have to fix these defensive issues they have if they want to make a deep playoff run.

As we do every week, let’s go over some winners and losers from week three, starting with the losers.

Loser: Preston Smith

I have been easy on Preston Smith so far thinking he would turn it around sooner or later, but the New Orleans game was another dud by the veteran. Through three weeks, Smith has barely shown up on the stat sheet, registering six combined tackles and half of a sack.

These are not good numbers from someone who looked like a Pro Bowler at times last year. Coming off of a career year in 2019, it was expected for his play take a minor dip but I don’t think anyone saw this drop-off coming.

Winner: Allen Lazard

Allen Lazard was awarded the game ball by the Green Bay Packers coaching staff and deservedly so. Without star receiver Davante Adams, the Packers needed someone else to step up and Lazard was exactly that. He had a career day with six catches, 146 yards, and a touchdown.

This was great to see out of the young receiver, who has been pretty consistent so far this year. I think this is the type of game that really puts him on the map as a real WR in this league.

Loser: Christian Kirksey

Christian Kirksey has not played great this season. While he does get a lot of tackles, he is doing nothing to help this run defense. Teams have just pounded Green Bay on the ground this year.

Many people thought Kirksey would be an immediate upgrade over Blake Martinez, myself included. I happen to think that this could still be true but Kirksey really needs to start making some more plays.

Unfortunately, he suffered an injury Week 3 against the Saints and is likely to miss a few games. Health has been Kirksey’s biggest issue these past few years and is continuing that trend in 2020.

Winner: Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers is looking like his MVP-self so far this season, and I feel he is no lower than number two in consideration for the award. He is truly playing great football right now and he seems to be having fun doing it which is awesome to see.

Pro Football Focus has him rated at an outstanding 95.6, good for the highest of any QB in the league. After a couple of years of possibly looking like he was slowing down, Aaron has put those theories to bed with his play so far in 2020.

Winner: Matt LaFleur

I think it’s about time Matt LaFleur gets recognition for being one of the best coaches in the league. He’s got this Packers team to 3-0 for the second straight year, and he is 16-3 in the regular season. He is off to the best start ever for a head coach in terms of winning percentage and that is really saying something.

After years of staleness with Mike McCarthy’s last few years in GB, LaFleur has this looking like a whole new offense. The Packers offense looks like a modern offense with motions, RPOs, and jet-sweeps. Coach LaFleur has done a fantastic job of putting his stamp on this offense.

Final thoughts

The Packers are looking like one of the best teams in the NFL so far through three games. I thought going in the Saints were going to be a great test for this Packers team, and I think they passed that test.

Three games in and not a single team has been able to slow down this offense at all. It’s crazy to me how the players are the same from last year but the execution of the game plan has been so much better.

The biggest issue this team faces of course is the defense. Mike Pettine has to start drawing up better game plans and commit to stopping opposing teams’ RBs. Alvin Kamara completely carved up this Packers team, including that 52-yard screen where GB showed just how awful their tackling can be at times.