Packers show off playmakers during first half vs. Bengals
The first week of the NFL preseason can be really boring, but that certainly wasn't the case during the first half of the Green Bay Packers-Cincinnati Bengals matchup. It all started with Jordan Love, who looked pretty damn good during his two drives of play. The Packers used a lot of pre-snap motion, play-action, misdirection, […]
The first week of the NFL preseason can be really boring, but that certainly wasn't the case during the first half of the Green Bay Packers-Cincinnati Bengals matchup.
It all started with Jordan Love, who looked pretty damn good during his two drives of play. The Packers used a lot of pre-snap motion, play-action, misdirection, etc. to give him good protection, throwing lanes, and reads.
But Love's most impressive play easily his touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs. Those two are going to be fun to watch this year.
Love exited the game after that play and rookie fifth-rounder Sean Clifford replaced him. He immediately came in and connected with second-year wideout Samori Toure on a 25-yard catch-and-run and then rookie WR Jayden Reed came through with a big 15-yard catch on 3rd and 4. Tyler Goodson later banged it in from one yard out to give the Packers a 14-3 lead.
Clifford and Toure later connected on a 28-yard pass on 3rd and 9 and it was even more impressive considering Clifford threw a pick-six on the previous drive. He was under intense pressure from Dominique Dafney, but it was still a bad decision. The rookie QB was far better off eating the sack than trying to hit his target over the middle.
Carrington Valentine continued to show off the same skills that recently labeled him as a riser in training camp. He made a really nice PBU, a very good open tackle, and then he was able to capitalize on a deflected ball from a Bengals receiver.
Clifford threw another pick, but he responded with a helluva throw to fellow rookie Dontayvion Wicks that resulted in a 47-yard catch-and-run. He then scrambled for a first down on 2nd and 10 before hitting tight end Tyler Davis for a four-yard touchdown to make it a 21-16 game before halftime.
Another quick interesting note was Zach Tom getting snaps at center with the 2s.
Overall, the Packers offense racked up 278 yards and 21 points in the first half. It was a fun 30 minutes of preseason football.
A lot of it also echoed what we've heard from camp, thus far: The Love-Doubs connection, Clifford being the "gamer" head coach Matt LaFleur called him earlier in the week, and Wicks looking fluid and smooth in his route running and YAC ability.
Three Packers players that have to have a good game against the Bengals
The Packers take on the Bengals and there are three players who need to make sure they have a good game under the lights.
Featured image via Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
