The Green Bay Packers played a sloppy game in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles and lost 34-29. There were many reasons for the loss from too many penalties, poor execution in the red zone and some inconsistent play. The team needs better individual performances going forward. Here are five players the Packers need to bounce back after they struggled in Week 1:

Players the Packers Need to Bounce Back After They Struggled in Week 1, Number Five: LB Isaiah McDuffie

Linebacker Isaiah McDuffie did not have a great game against the Eagles. McDuffie was credited with six total tackles, but he missed two tackles which is not typical for the former Boston College star.

McDuffie was also burned on an 18-yard touchdown pass to Saquon Barkley in the second quarter that gave the Eagles a 7-6 lead.

The Packers added both Ty’Ron Hopper and Edgerrin Cooper on the second day of this year’s draft. Both are more athletic than McDuffie and Cooper played well in limited snaps against the Eagles.

McDuffie will need to play better to hold on to his starting job in the future.

Number Four: TE Luke Musgrave

Second-year tight end Luke Musgrave started against the Eagles but played only 17 snaps all game. He was targeted twice on the eight pass routes he ran, but did not catch a pass. Musgrave was the target on the one interception Jordan Love threw in the game.

While Musgrave played 17 snaps, Tucker Kraft was on the field for 64 offensive snaps. While this could be in part due to better matchups in one particular game, Musgrave needs to be more productive after a slow start to the season.

Players the Packers Need to Bounce Back After They Struggled in Week 1, Number Three: C Josh Myers

Josh Myers has a lot at stake this season. The Ohio State alum is in the final year of his contract, so he needs to have a strong season if he hopes to stay in Green Bay or to earn a big new deal elsewhere next season.

Myers tends to be inconsistent. At times, he makes impressive blocks but when he plays poorly, his mistakes are often glaring.

In Week 1, Myers’ was only average blocking for the run according to Pro Football Focus. He was also flagged for a penalty and allowed two quarterback pressures.

With Malik Willis likely to start at quarterback Sunday against the Colts, the Packers will need Myers and all of their offensive linemen to have a strong game, especially opening holes for Josh Jacobs and the other Packers runners.

Number Two: LB Quay Walker

The good news is that Quay Walker made 11 total tackles against the Eagles including one tackle for loss. Walker has all the tools to be successful in the NFL. He has great speed and acceleration. That allows him to chase down ball carriers across the field and to blitz the quarterback.

What’s still the problem with Walker’s game is his football IQ. The former Georgia star is far too inconsistent when reading plays and that often puts him out of position when he tries to make a tackle.

Walker had the chance to make more tackles for loss, but he failed to make the play once he got to the ball carrier behind the line of scrimmage.

Walker needs to make more big plays and be more consistent in his reads. He may be better suited to playing weak side linebacker rather than middle linebacker where he is currently lining up. That may help maximize his speed and simplify his reads.

Players the Packers Need to Bounce Back After They Struggled in Week 1, Number One: CB Jaire Alexander

Jaire Alexander remains one of the highest paid cornerbacks in the NFL and he’s considered a shutdown corner by most experts. Against the Eagles, Alexander didn’t have his best game.

The Louisville alum was beaten often by A.J. Brown, allowing four catches for 108 yards and a touchdown according to PFF. The score was a 67-yard touchdown pass.

Alexander did make one interception, but he made a clear mistake when he danced around in the end zone and then tried to run the ball out of the end zone.

The Packers need Alexander to play better than he did in Week 1. He remains the team’s best cover corner but now he needs to play like it.

 

 

 

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