The Green Bay Packers will finish up the team’s three-game preseason schedule on Saturday afternoon against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field. Kickoff from Green Bay is scheduled for noon CT.
Matt LaFleur’s team opened the preseason with a convincing win over the Cleveland but then got pummeled in Denver, but no one is particularly worried about results. Saturday is one last opportunity for the Packers to evaluate players and determine how the first 53-man roster and practice squad will shape up before flying to Brazil to play the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1.
While unclear if Jordan Love and other starters will play against the Ravens, especially given the volume and quality of the work from Thursday’s joint practice, it’s a good bet most veterans and starters won’t play on Saturday. But LaFleur wasn’t ready to answer on playing time before Thursday’s practice, and Love didn’t know the plan post-practice.
Here are five things to watch in Saturday’s preseason finale:
Starting competitions
There might be only a handful of true starting competitions left to sort out heading into the preseason finale. On offense, who starts at right guard? First-round pick Jordan Morgan was the favorite, but he still hasn’t returned to 11-on-11 work after injuring his shoulder. Sean Rhyan, who is also getting extensive snaps at center, is the other top candidate. The defensive depth chart looks mostly settled, even if impressive rookies Javon Bullard and Evan Williams may split time next to Xavier McKinney at safety. What about kicker? Anders Carlson has taken the late and possibly decisive lead. It would be comforting for everyone to see him knock a couple of kicks through the uprights at Lambeau Field on Saturday.
QB2 battle
The Packers have one preseason game left to decide who will back up Jordan Love. Sean Clifford had a bounce-back performance during Thursday’s joint practice and must be considered the heavy favorite, but he also split some situational second-team reps with rookie Michael Pratt and is coming off a troubling showing in Denver. Both quarterbacks could use a steady performance after an up-and-down summer. Also, if Clifford does win the job, do the Packers keep Pratt on the 53-man roster or risk him to waivers? Plenty yet to decide at quarterback entering Saturday.
Special teams
In many cases, the winner of a toss-up competition at a position will be determined by special teams. This is especially true at positions like receiver, tight end, linebacker and cornerback, where the Packers have 53-man roster competitions playing out. Can Grant DuBose or Malik Heath make a big block on a return or successfully cover a kick? Will Joel Wilson show up in the third phase and push Tyler Davis for a roster spot? If Kristian Welch keeps making plays and handling a variety of roles on special teams, will the Packers keep six linebackers? Will Robert Rochell’s value on special teams overrule Kalen King’s potential? While not the most entertaining of plays, all the kickoffs and punts on Saturday could be tiebreaker snaps on the fringes of the Packers roster.
Emerging defensive end
Second-year defensive end Brenton Cox Jr. is one of the NFL’s preseason leaders in pressure with eight in two games. Last week, he produced a sack and a handful of other pressures. In the preseason finale, Cox Jr. can all but guarantee his roster spot as the fifth defensive end with another solid outing. His overall game might not be fully realized, but Cox Jr. has natural and impressive pass-rushing talent. Don’t be surprised if No. 57 is in the backfield and making life difficult on Ravens quarterbacks on Saturday. And don’t forget about No. 53 — Arron Mosby has also had a nice summer as a disruptor off the edge.
Rookie spotlight
It’s unclear if Jordan Morgan will play, and MarShawn Lloyd is still dealing with a hamstring injury, but the rookie class is always worth watching in preseason games. Saturday might be our first chance to see dynamic rookies Edgerrin Cooper and Ty’Ron Hopper play next to each other at linebacker. The three rookie safeties have completely transformed the position this summer — Javon Bullard and Evan Williams will be Week 1 contributors, while Kitan Oladapo looked like an enforcing and physical presence in his defensive debut last week. Jacob Monk, a classic Packers draft pick along the offensive line, is getting a ton of reps at center and guard and could be positioned to be an important interior backup. Pratt and King, two seventh-round picks, are fighting for 53-man roster spots at key positions. The Packers might not have an undrafted free agent rookie make the team this year. but the first-year class is once again loaded with talent and the potential for immediate impact.
