Coming off a loss to a struggling Las Vegas Raiders team before heading into their bye week, the Green Bay Packers, in only their second game in 21 days, suffered a crushing loss to the Denver Broncos.
With extra time to prepare for a bottom two overall defense in the NFL that surrendered 70 points to the Miami Dolphins earlier in the season, this was primed to be a "get-right" game for Green Bay.
Unfortunately, the injuries continued to pile on, pass protection was a swinging gate, and the defense arguably went backward in their progress towards slowing down an opponent's rushing attack. The words "lethargic" and "unprepared" sufficiently describe the Packers' Week 7 output.
Very little went right for Green Bay outside of Jayden Reed's unbelievable touchdown catch on a ball that slipped through Romeo Doubs' hands, or Doubs muscling a touchdown catch away from Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II. Despite the team's struggles, a few players look more like true gamers as the season progresses.
Here are three standouts and three duds from the Packers' 19-17 loss to the Broncos.
Standout: Zach Tom
The Packers' struggles along the offensive line came from everyone except for right tackle Zach Tom.
Only Tom and center Josh Myers, who left early with an injury, didn't allow a pressure against Denver. According to Pro Football Focus, Tom's 84.1 PFF grade was third among all tackles in WeeK 7.
That grade would lead all Packers offensive players in the game and move Tom up to PFF's No. 9 overall offensive tackle this season. Despite some ups and downs, the second-year product out of Wake Forest is cementing himself as a permanent fixture in Green Bay's offensive line that is desperately searching for consistency.
Tom also played snaps at center in the game, relieving Josh Myers, who left with an injury. Without allowing a pressure and with having played the position in college, the Packers may decide to roll with Tom at center. He took snaps there during training camp, and with the offensive line struggling to find cohesion, the Packers may try to shake up their front. Yosh Nijman may spell Tom at right tackle, Tom slides down to center, and a new face might slot in for struggling right guard Jon Runyan Jr.
Dud: Elgton Jenkins
Staying with the offensive line, it's surprising to see Elgton Jenkins struggling to find the form that would award him a four-year contract extension in Green Bay last December.
With David Bakhtiari out, the Packers need Jenkins to be their rock along the offensive line. But against Denver, his performance was littered with missed blocks and a devastating holding penalty towards the end of the game.
Jenkins allowed two pressures on Sunday, and his 2023 season is quickly trending in the wrong direction. After sustaining a knee injury earlier in the season that sidelined him for a few games, Jenkins has not played as well since returning. In fairness to Jenkins, leg injuries of any kind typically make a player play a little more on edge, often negatively impacting their output until they feel comfortable again.
The Packers desperately need Jenkins to reclaim his two-time Pro Bowl form for the group and, quite frankly, the whole offense to get back on track. The Packers love running the football behind Jenkins and usually can rely on his stout pass-blocking. Neither has been realized so far in 2023.
Standout: Kingsley Enagbare
Coming off a Week 5 performance against the Raiders where Kingsley posted three tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack, he followed that up with another excellent game against Denver.
Rashan Gary was more productive generating pressure, registering six pressures, but Enagbare posted three pressures and a quarterback hit himself. He is building momentum and quietly posting top defensive performances in recent weeks.
Last season as a rookie, Enagbare flashed potential as a pass rusher, and he's picked a stellar time to gain steam in year two. With the trade deadline looming and the Packers likely positioned as sellers - if they decide to make any moves - the team may be more inclined to explore options to move Preston Smith in favor of youngsters like Enagbare or rookies Lukas Van Ness and Brenton Cox.
Dud: Rasheed Walker
Walker had himself a rough outing. After showing promise early in the season while taking over for injured Bakhtiari, Walker's performances have been questionable the past few weeks.
Walker allowed three pressures against Denver, tied with Runyan for most on the week.
Undoubtedly, the seventh-round pick has exceeded expectations for this season while taking over for an All-Pro.
However, since Week 4, Walker has struggled tremendously. While the pressures allowed have racked up, his run-blocking has struggling to find consistency as well.
With Nijman consuming roughly $4 million against the Packers' cap sitting on the bench, there's a chance Nijman may replace Walker at left tackle if the Packers shake up their offensive line. In that case, Caleb Jones would be a name to watch slide in at right tackle if Tom moves down to center in a corresponding move.
Standout: Dontayvion Wicks
It's been a while since a Packers wide receiver has completed a pass in a game. Enter Dontayvion Wicks to break that streak after completing an across-the-field pass to running back Aaron Jones.
Not only did his passing skills shine against Denver, but he continues to separate on routes and be a weapon for Green Bay to call on in big moments.
Wicks only had one catch on one target, but like in previous weeks, Wicks was called upon in a critical moment and came up big. From Green Bay's own 31-yard line, trailing 9-0, on a crucial third down, Jordan Love threw a bullet to Wicks over the middle of the field that he took for a 17-yard gain.
After the game, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur discussed getting Wicks more involved.
"He's a guy that we've got to continue to try to get more opportunities for in our offense. Because he's shown the ability to, not only is he a great route runner, but he's a pretty tenacious blocker," said LaFleur in the post-game press conference.
Wicks has only garnered 15 targets on the season, but expect to see more consistent looks, especially if Christian Watson can't shake the injury bug. Wicks is creating separation on most of his routes, and with the run game struggling, the Packers will favor a receiver who can fill the run-blocking void left when Allen Lazard departed for the Jets before the season.
Dud: Carrington Valentine
After flashing throughout training camp and preseason, rookie cornerback Carrington Valentine finally got his moment to shine against Denver. With Jaire Alexander sidelined and Eric Stokes not registering a snap in his first game off injured reserve, Valentine got the start across from Rasul Douglas.
But Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson didn't take long to catch on to a new guy in the Packers' secondary.
Valentine played 100% of the defensive snaps in the contest but was picked on early and often, primarily in coverage against Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton. Targeting Valentine, the Broncos converted two third downs on their first drive, one of which went for 33 yards to Sutton.
Surrendering 52 yards on four catches right off the bat was surely not how Valentine imagined his first start unfolding. It was undoubtedly a "welcome to the NFL" game for the rookie to now take to the film room and make improvements off of.