The Green Bay Packers entered the preseason win column in Week 2 with a 33-13 dismantling of the Denver Broncos in a performance that featured standouts up and down the roster.
This one had it all: another wow-worthy night from kicker Trey Smack, splash plays all over the defense, Kyle McCord doing his thing in the pocket. Preseason or not, it was the kind of win that should let fans rest easy.
With that, let's dive into eight - yes, eight! - stars from Friday night at Mile High.
8 starring performers from Packers' preseason win over Broncos
K Trey Smack
Smack once again quieted any concerns over the Packers' kicking game, likely for good this time until the real games start. Going four-of-four on field goals, Smack drilled kicks from 51 and 59 yards a week after nailing a pair from 58, counting one nullified by a defensive penalty.
After a rocky start to training camp, Smack has put Packers fans at ease with his recent performances.
QB Kyle McCord
McCord followed up a strong preseason debut with another solid outing against Denver: 12-of-19 passing for 118 yards, again looking comfortable and in command. McCord is still, in all likelihood, slated for the practice squad, but with how veteran Tyrod Taylor has struggled, some Packers fans have understandably wondered whether McCord isn't the more talented option.
G Jager Burton
The rookie fifth-rounder already looks like a starter, and he showed why on Friday by driving first-team defensive linemen into the ground. At one point, Burton manhandled All-Pro Zach Allen. He still has some things to work on, as was evident in the game, but count Burton among the clear winners as he continues fighting for one of the starting guard spots on the Packers' offensive line.
DL Chris McClellan
McClellan pressured the Broncos' offensive line all night while lined up as a defensive end in Green Bay's 3-4 base front. He nearly had a sack before a receiver came wide open in the flat for a last-second completion with McClellan bearing down on the quarterback. He finished the night with six tackles, including a tackle for loss, and was in general a handful for Denver linemen to deal with.
DL Anthony Campbell
Campbell did get home for a sack, plus a tackle for loss. The 6-foot-6, 307-pound rookie made impressive use of his size and length. Even as veteran Jonathan Ford surges, Campbell keeps doing enough to keep himself in play for the last spot on the D-line depth chart.
He can further his case in the preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals. Of course, it doesn't exactly help Campbell that Ford also showed out on Friday.
CB Kamal Hadden
Hadden made plays all over the field. In coverage, he allowed two catches for four yards. The tough, physical type of corner Matt LaFleur wants to see, Hadden made five tackles on the night and two tackles for loss. His work in the slot continues to impress. The game was Hadden's preseason debut after sitting out the opener for injury management purposes, and he certainly made the most of it.
He's forcing the Packers to think long and hard about the configuration of the cornerback room and whether he needs to be a part of it. At this rate, it may be impossible to leave Hadden off the roster.
WR Will Sheppard
Sheppard led the Packers in receiving with six catches on six targets for 47 yards and a touchdown, a convincing bounce-back after recording one catch for eight yards last week. He also returned a punt, which could keep him on Green Bay's radar because why not have options.
Sheppard faces an uphill climb to unseat either Isaiah Neyor or J. Michael Sturdivant as a potential seventh receiver, but he's at least kept himself in the game.
RB Pierre Strong Jr.
Despite being almost surely destined for the practice squad, Strong caught fans' attention with a team-high eight carries for 47 yards and a 68-yard kickoff return. He may be a more exciting ball-carrier than Chris Brooks, but with the latter's blocking ability, Strong won't make the roster unless the Packers carry four running backs.
But chances are he'll see action during the season due to injury/unavailability, and he showed enough pizzazz to leave us intrigued.
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