The Green Bay Packers dominated the first half before blowing the lead and starting quarterback Jordan Love early in the second half, but inspired play by Josh Jacobs and Malik Willis helped Matt LaFleur’s team escape with a 30-27 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday.
The Packers are currently 6-2, including a perfect 4-0 against the AFC South. Willis played a substantial role in three of the four wins against his former division.
Here are the stars, studs and duds from the Packers’ Week 8 victory over the Jaguars:
Stars
RB Josh Jacobs: He created nearly 100 yards of yardage after first contact, consistently broke tackles at the line of scrimmage or at the second level, and had a 38-yard touchdown run after dropping back and forcing two open field misses. When the tables turned and Jordan Love was out, the Packers ran on Jacobs and he put them back in front. The experienced defender finished the game with 127 yards and two points. He kept the Packers on schedule, had explosive runs and powered the offense when Malik Willis came into the game.
Heels
TE Tucker Kraft: He found space on the long play, broke a tackle in open field and ran 67 yards for a score in the first half. In the fourth quarter, he caught his season-best pass for his fifth touchdown of the season on a well-designed play-action counterfeit. All three of his halves ended with a first down or score. Effective as a receiver, Kraft was also excellent as a blocker. He still excels at finding second-year defenders as a move blocker.
QB Malik Willis: Leading a winning play as a backup quarterback is an automatic location of the “well.” Not only did Willis hit Jayden Reed on a 51-yard pass after the can signal for the game-winning score, but he also connected with Dontayvion Wicks for a third down and went 20 yards on a decisive play slow in the game. third quarter. He also hit Kraft on a touchdown pass and would have completed a perfect 5-on-5 pass had Romeo Doubs not dropped the pass.
LB Edgerrin Cooper: His strip sack of Trevor Lawrence was a game changer. The freshman overcame a center block attempt and then knocked the ball out of Lawrence’s hands, causing a turnover. Later, Cooper showed he was a world-class athlete by chasing Christian Kirk down the seam and breaking up a pass – which would have been an explosive play – on third down.
Duds
DB Javon Bullard: Sunday showed why playing Bullard on a slot machine and with safety is a risky game. After a full week of practicing for his role in the slot, Bullard had to be transitioned to full-time mid-game, which was quite a challenge for him. The freshman missed two receptions, including one on an explosive run by Tank Bigsby, and returned four catches for 63 yards, including two catches and a touchdown pass to Brian Thomas Jr. after a decisive pass in the second half. The Packers have put a lot on Bullard’s plate, and one wonders if a more specialized role makes more sense.
