PACKERS REPORT CARD
Here’s a position-by-position analysis of how the Green Bay Packers graded out during their 29-29 tie Sunday with the Minnesota Vikings:
Quarterbacks: Playing on one leg, Aaron Rodgers (97.4 rating) delivered accurate throws and moved the team up and down the field. He ended the day poorly in overtime by fumbling a runpass option keeper and getting sacked, which took the Packers out of range for the game-winning field goal. Grade: B
Running backs: Jamaal Williams and Ty Montgomery were good picking up the blitz, which was especially important playing with a hobbled quarterback. Neither was dynamic enough to make a big play against one of the NFL’s best defenses. Grade: C+
Wide receivers: After an outstanding game last week, they were only OK against Minnesota. Davante Adams had three drops, including two big ones on tough catches in the end zone that would have sealed the game in the final two minutes. Grade: C
Tight ends: Jimmy Graham (six catches, 95 yards, a 12-yard touchdown pass nullified by Lane Taylor’s holding penalty) was the threat the Packers were looking for when they signed him in free agency. Grade: B
Offensive line: The pass protection was a little too leaky — Rodgers was sacked four times and hit five others. Right guard Justin McCray still is struggling in protection, mainly because he’s losing the hand combat too often. Grade: CDefensive
line: Kenny Clark had a sack and was especially good against the run, but there wasn’t enough push on the middle of the pocket overall. Grade:
BInside linebackers: Blake Martinez and Antonio Morrison were good against the run — Dalvin Cook is a good back but averaged only 3.8 yards on 10 carries. Grade: BOutside linebackers: Clay Matthews, Nick Perry and Reggie Gilbert held the edge against the run, but their primary job is to get after the quarterback, and they didn’t do that with any consistency. Grade: D
Cornerbacks: Aside from the 75-yard touchdown Davon House gave up after Kevin King’s injury, this group had a decent day against a good passer who had a lot of time to throw. Grade: B
Safeties: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix had an interception on a deflected pass, but he also never broke on the ball on Minnesota’s first touchdown pass (a 14-yarder on a slant to Laquon Treadwell), and Kentrell Brice missed the ball on a great shot at breaking up the game-tying touchdown (a 22-yarder to Adam Thielen). Grade: CSpecialists: JK Scott flipped the field a couple times punting (51.8-yard gross, 45.2-yard net), and Mason Crosby was 5 for 6 on field goals, though his miss (a 52-yard potential game-winner on the final play of regulation) was a big one.
Grade: B+