The Green Bay Packers kicked off the preseason the right way — starting fast and winning comfortable, with few injuries. Matt LaFleur’s team got a 65-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Love to Dontayvion Wicks on the opening possession of the game and then cruised to a 23-10 win over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday afternoon.
Here is an instant analysis of the Packers’ preseason-opening win on Saturday in Cleveland:
Scoring summary
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| GB (1-0) | 7 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 23 |
| CLE (0-1) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
Scoring plays
First quarter
GB 7, CLE 0: Dontayvion Wicks 65-yard catch (13:38)
GB 7, CLE 3: Cade York 55-yard FG (8:46)
Second quarter
GB 14, CLE 3: Emanuel Wilson 5-yard run (2:48)
GB 17, CLE 3: Anders Carlson 46-yard FG (0:00)
Third quarter
GB 20, CLE 3: Greg Joseph 35-yard FG (12:10)
GB 23, CLE 3: Anders Carlson 33-yard FG (6:35)
Fourth quarter
GB 23, CLE 10: Aidan Robbins 1-yard run (5:08)
It was over when…
… the Packers defense turned over the Browns on 4th-and-4 from the 11-yard line early in the fourth quarter, preserving a three-score lead. Arron Mosby disrupted Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s fourth-down pass.
Game balls
Offense — WR Grant Dubose: The second-year receiver caught five passes, including a fourth-down conversion and a diving 23-yarder along the sideline. He also drew a pass interference penalty.
Defense — S Evan Williams: The rookie produced a team-high six tackles, including several impressive open-field stops, and he forced a fumble to open the second half.
Special teams — K Greg Joseph: Both of his attempts — an extra point and a 35-yarder — were kicked right down the middle.
Key stat
One: The Packers reported only one in-game injury — rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd left with a hamstring injury. Avoiding a bunch of injuries — especially to key players — is always the goal coming out of a preseason game.
Deciding factor
The Packers dominated the line of scrimmage. While the Browns rushed for only 56 yards on 21 attempts and allowed three sacks, the Packers gained 155 yards on 34 attempts and allowed just one zero-yard sack. Green Bay had six rushers with at least one carry gaining five or more yards.
Jordan Love watch
Love’s day was a short one: He completed both of his passes — one to Josh Jacobs, the other to Wicks — for 63 yards and a touchdown. His passer rating? A perfect 158.3. He was on the field for only three snaps over the one touchdown drive to open the game. Backups Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt completed 15 of 26 passes and didn’t have a turnover.
Play of the game
Emanuel Wilson, who finished with a game-high 67 rushing yards, put a hellacious juke move on a Browns cornerback to create this 23-yard run, which set up a field goal in the second half.
A sneaky move by @1kEmanuelWilson for the first down and then some 💨
📱: Stream #GBvsCLE on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/Ull9c03s2c
— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2024
Injury updates
The Packers only reported an injury for running back MarShawn Lloyd. He has a hamstring injury. LaFleur believed his team came out of the contest mostly injury-free.
What’s next
The Packers have a joint practice with the Denver Broncos next Friday before playing Sean Payton’s team in Denver on Sunday night.
