Strong quarterback play, a troubling defense and a nearly flawless special teams performance powered the Green Bay Packers to a season-opening victory over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday afternoon in Cleveland. Jordan Love threw a touchdown pass on the first series, Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt were solid, the Packers defense had 22 pressures and 11 stops, and kickers Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph were a perfect 5 of 5.
Here are the best and worst players from the Packers’ preseason opener against the Browns, according to Pro Football Focus’ ratings:
Top 5 crimes
1. WR Dontayvion Wicks: 94.3
2. Point guard Jordan Love: 90.3
3. WR Julian Hicks: 84.9
4. WR Grant DuBose: 84.6
5. Quarterback Michael Pratt: 84.5
5. Striker Joel Wilson: 84.5
Wicks played one pass, catching his only target for 65 yards and a touchdown. Love attempted two passes, completing both for 63 yards, a touchdown pass and a perfect passer rating of 158.3. Hicks had a 23-yard catch and a 14-yard run for 16 touchdowns. DuBose caught five of his six targets, produced four first downs and averaged nearly 3.5 yards per route run. Pratt completed five of his seven passes, with one of his incomplete attempts being a drop. Wilson had a perfect run-blocking grade and caught all three of his targets for 30 yards.
Best Defense 5
1. CB Robert Rochell: 80.5
2. S. Evan Williams: 79.2
3. LB Christian Young: 78.2
4. DL Colby Wooden: 77.1
5. S Zayne Anderson: 76.9
Rochell allowed just one catch for five yards on three targets and had two pass breakups, including one on fourth down. Williams had six tackles, including two tackles that were considered “stops” and a forced fumble. Young had no tackles but received a high grade in coverage. Wooden had a sack, two total pressures and two stops against the run. Anderson had two stops, including a tackle for a 1-yard completion.
Top 5 worst crimes
1. WR Bo Melton: 42.0
2. Running back AJ Dillon: 47.2
3. YOU, Ben Sims: 49.3
4. OL Royce Newman: 50.0
5. OT Kadeem Telfort: 50.1
Melton was credited with three drops on four targets, finishing with just one catch for 12 yards on 22 rushes. Dillon gained just two yards on four carries but produced seven yards after first contact, showing the quality of the blocking in front of him. Sims had no catches on 12 rushes and was graded as a penniless blocker in the run game. Newman was excellent in pass protection but was one of the worst run blockers on the team. Telfort allowed pressures and was the lowest-graded run blocker.
Defense of the lower 5
1. CB L.J. Davis: 8/29
2. Defensive player Spencer Waege: 31.3
3. DE Brenton Cox Jr.: 43.0
4. DE Kingsley Enagbare: 47.0
5. DE Kenneth Odumegwu: 50.4
Davis returned a 17-yard catch and committed the defense’s only penalty. Waege was called for a low sack but also received the worst grade on the run defense. Cox had three pressures but also failed to make two tackles. Enagbare had three pressures but received average grades against the run. Odumegwu had one pressure on five pass-rush touchdowns but returned a fumble recovery.
Special teams
Both kickers were perfect on field goals and extra points. Anthony Johnson Jr. led special teams in tackles (two) and special teams rating (82.8). Gemon Green and Robert Rochell both had a solo tackle and a rating above 75.0. Receiver Malik Heath missed a tackle. Ben Sims led the team with 15 special teams snaps.
Playing the quarterback
Jordan Love: 90.3
Michael Pratt: 84.5
Sean Clifford: 76.5
Both Love and Pratt made great throws, and none of the three quarterbacks had a game that was worth the turnover. All three quarterbacks had a passer rating above 75.0.
Statistics to know
Lukas Van Ness had four pressures, a sack, three hurries and two stops and was penalized for one missed tackle, but his overall grade — 76.4 — reflected solid play in the preseason opener for a 2023 first-round pick.
