Packers: Three positives and two negatives from first preseason game

The Green Bay Packers played their first preseason game and there is plenty to talk about from it.

On Saturday night, the Green Bay Packers took on the Houston Texans in what was both team’s first preseason game. The Packers did come out on the losing end of that game, losing 26-7. Green Bay was severely undermanned in this game, going into it with 30 players not dressing.

With so few players dressed for the game, the Packers basically played the whole game with all backups, minus a couple of offensive linemen who are projected to start. While you always want to get a win, preseason is truly a time where the result doesn’t matter.

Looking at what guys did on the field is what I find most important and that’s what I wanted to talk about today.

Positive No. 1: Jordan Love’s debut

Let’s start with the most obvious one. All things considered, Jordan Love had a promising debut and it was awesome to finally see him in live game action. Love went 12/17, 122 yards, and a touchdown. He also lost a fumble while getting sacked.

What was particularly enjoyable was the poise the young QB was showing. Love was not afraid to air the ball out into tight windows. He was also not afraid to stand in the pocket when things were breaking down.

Negative No. 1: Josh Jackson

Make no mistake about it, Josh Jackson was not good on Saturday night. He was targeted early and often and he may be at risk of not making the team. Despite being a second-round pick in 2018, Jackson has done nothing to show that he can be a starting CB in this league and the Texans game was another example of that.

Positive No. 2: Oren Burks

Similar to Jackson, Oren Burks was also drafted in 2018 and was maybe the best player on the defense on Saturday, at least with the first team. Burks was part of six total tackles, including two of them for a loss, and a sack where he exploded through the line while timing the snap perfectly. Good stuff all around from Burks, who came into the preseason looking like he needed to earn his spot.

Negative No. 2: The offensive line

As stated above, the Packers were without several key players during their first preseason game and the offensive line certainly suffered. The Packers were without the likes of Elgton Jenkins, Billy Turner, and of course, David Bakhtiari, who is still recovering from his injury. The line gave up two sacks and gave Green Bay zero room to run.

Positive No. 3: Devin Funchess

Devin Funchess was signed by the Packers last season but the veteran decided to opt-out of 2020 due to the pandemic. Before that, Funchess broke his collarbone week one while playing for the Colts.

Saturday’s game was the first time he had played in a game in almost two years. Funchess caught six passes for 70 yards and was clearly the best WR for the Packers on the field. Trading for Randall Cobb threw a bit of a wrench into this WR corps but Funchess should have a good shot of making the team.