The Green Bay Packers opened the preseason with a 28-9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. As usual in the preseason, the final score was less important than seeing what specific players can do, avoiding major injuries, and getting some of the rust off the veterans. Here is a look at the winners and losers from the Packers preseason loss to the Steelers. Winners helped their cause in trying to win a job or make the team, losers hurt their chances. This list is far from exhaustive, and we will learn more after viewing the all-22 game film. As with all preseason games, the results should be taken with a grain of salt.

Winners and Losers from the Packers Loss to the Steelers, Winner: K Trey Smack

Rookie kicker Trey Smack may have been inconsistent in training camp, but he sure looked great in his first preseason game. Smack officially made all three of his field goal tries including a 58-yard effort. He made another 58-yard effort in the first quarter, but a penalty gave the Packers the first down, so they took the points off the board.

Smack also did a good job on kickoffs, placing the ball deep inside the landing zone. Kickoffs should not be overlooked as the Packers have struggled in this area recently.

We won’t overreact to one great game just like we shouldn’t to one bad game, but the Packers have to be very pleased with what they saw from Smack in Pittsburgh, which has traditionally been one of the tougher stadiums to kick in.

Loser: CB Keisean Nixon

Yes, it’s preseason, but cornerback Keisean Nixon again gave a half-hearted effort trying to make a tackle early in this game. The receiver ran down the sidelines for a 25-yard gain.

This wouldn’t be cause for concern except when we last saw Nixon on the field, he made a “business decision” near the goal line in the playoff loss to Chicago. We don’t want to see Nixon or any player getting injured in a meaningless preseason game but at least pretend you care enough to try to make the tackle.

Nixon is fighting for his starting job and the lack of care and effort on that play isn’t a good look.

Winners and Losers from the Packers Loss to the Steelers, Winner: CB Brandon Cisse

Unlike Nixon, rookie Brandon Cisse made a good tackle to prevent a touchdown. He also looked good in coverage when he was in the game, although a better determination will be possible after reviewing the all-22 game film.

Cisse has looked the part in training camp and continued to play well against Pittsburgh. If he keeps it up, he could be a starter in Week 1.

Winner: S Mark Perry

Mark Perry made a good tackle at the one-yard line to save a touchdown and was often in the right place at the right time.

He was injured trying to tackle former Packers tight end Robert Tonyan but did return to the game and played more in the second half. He is making his case for one of the final roster spots.

Winners and Losers from the Packers Loss to the Steelers, Winner: QB Kyle McCord

Kyle McCord made some good plays in his bid to be the team’s third quarterback and to earn a spot on the practice squad. He finished the game completing 12-of-16 passes for 102 yards. He looked in command of the offense and did a good job of going through his progressions. McCord also led the Packers to a field goal on the final play of the half when the team got the ball in the final minute before the break.

McCord is clearly ahead of Kyron Drones at this point. When he entered the game in the fourth quarter, Drones was clearly slower to process what he was seeing and was sacked three times. His only pass was incomplete.

Loser: DL Anthony Campbell

Anthony Campbell had a strong start to training camp and was making plays and knocking down passes on a regular basis in practice. While he didn’t play poorly, he didn’t make many noticeable plays in this game.

The real reason he’s on this list, however, is because he was injured and left the game early. We don’t know the extent of the injury yet, but it would be a shame if his bid to make the team ended as a result of getting hurt in preseason game one.

Winners and Losers from the Packers Loss to the Steelers, Winners: Isaiah Neyor and J. Michael Sturdivant

Isaiah Neyor and J. Michael Sturdivant are both fighting for the final receiving spot on the 53-man roster or at least a practice squad berth. Both players did well in this game. Neyor caught four passes for 34 yards to lead the team, and he caught all four of his targets. Sturdivant caught two passes on three targets for 22 yards.

Both players have good size and did a good job running routes in this game. The battle for the final receiver spot will continue but both Neyor and Studivant helped their cause against the Steelers.

Losers: Jaylin Simpson & MJ Devonshire

Jaylin Simpson and MJ Devonshire got beat often in the second half of this game when they entered the lineup. Simpson slipped and that resulted in a 75-yard pass. Later, he was called for defensive pass interference. These players did not help their cause for making the team although their performance on special teams will also be considered.

Winners and Losers from the Packers Loss to the Steelers, Winner: Run Defense

The Packers run defense held Pittsburgh to 71 yards on 28 carries, an average of just 2.5 yards per carry. The longest Steelers run of the game was 11 yards.

Loser: Run Offense

While the run defense looked good, the rushing attack on offense was not effective with the blocking still being a problem. The Packers gained just 63 yards on 24 carries. MarShawn Lloyd gained 13 yards on four rushes early in the game, but the running game was not effective for most of this game.

The Packers will return to action next Friday night when they face the Broncos in Denver.

 

 

 

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