Packers open preseason with loss at San Francisco

The play was at times uneven, at times exhilarating, and at other times downright sloppy.

In other words, it was a typical first preseason NFL football game.

In the end, the final score reads San Francisco 28, Green Bay 21. But while some players shined brightly, others struggled with the first live action of the 2022 campaign.

Second-year wide receiver Amari Rodgers, the Packers third round draft pick from a year ago, made the most of his opportunity to show he can contribute both on offense as well as on special teams. Rodgers’ 50-yard kickoff return in the first quarter did not lead to any points, but for an ailing return unit from 2021, Rodgers run was a welcome sight.

And while Rodgers only caught one pass on the evening, his second (and third) effort to find the left pylon resulted in Green Bay taking their only lead of the game, 21-20 with 12:53 left to play in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Jordan Love’s stat line looks far worse than he actual play.

Love (13/24, 176 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT) was hampered by dropped balls and poorly run pass routes. His first interception came in the red zone when his pass hit tight end Tyler Davis square in the hands before bouncing into the arms of San Francisco rookie linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball. His second pick came when replay showed that Samuel Womack simply wrestled it away from Romeo Doubs.

Love’s final interception came when Womack took advantage of good positioning on Rodgers when two other receivers ran the wrong route, according to Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.

Still, LaFleur was pleased with his third-year quarterback’s effort.

“It was a smooth operation,” LaFleur told reporters after the game. “I thought he got us in and out of the huddle extremely crisp and with urgency. I thought he made some off-schedule plays. He showed some nice athleticism on a couple of those runs as well.”

Doubs was targeted seven times, catching three balls for 45 yards. Samori Toure and Juwann Winfree each had three catches as well.

The Packers return to Green Bay to prepare for next Friday’s lone home preseason game against the New Orleans Saints. The two teams will hold joint practices Tuesday and Wednesday. Both workouts start at 10:30 and are open to the public at Ray Nitschke Field, weather permitting.


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