Packers fans, despite our tragic loss against the Detroit Lions, there were several Packers stars throughout the season that embodied the heart and spirit of the Green Bay Packers. In today’s blog, I want to focus on the silver lining and stars of this year’s disappointing season.
OLB Rashan Gary: In just nine games, Gary generated 25 stops and 38 pressures. His pass-rush win percentage was 20.9, and in “true pass sets,” he was the most productive edge rusher. Gary would have finished 2022 as one of the most effective and disruptive edge rushers in the NFL, barring the season-ending injury in Detroit. After his injury, Green Bay’s defense lost the pass rush spirit they once possessed. Would Green Bay have a better record if Gary had not been hurt is a question that may never be answered?
CB Jaire Alexander: Alexander had the second-most pass interceptions among cornerbacks with five. When quarterbacks targeted him in coverage, they had a passer rating of 66.2. He also added 17 stops and 11 forced incompletions. In the game’s biggest moments, Jaire always produced, whether it was a crucial interception or pass breakup. After being paid as a top 3 NFL corner this past offseason, the Packers’ premiere cornerback showed the NFL why he is one of the best in the league.
Jaire Alexander explaining his interception pic.twitter.com/uFXW2KpgwF
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) December 25, 2022
CB Rasul Douglas: The third-most among cornerbacks in stops made was by Douglas, who also added four interceptions following five the previous year. He allowed over 536 receiving yards and four touchdown passes, but quarterbacks only had an 84.0 passing rating when they targeted him. His total grade suffered as a result of seven penalties, however.
CB/KR Keisean Nixon: Nixon started six games as the starting slot corner. In addition to intercepting one pass and forcing a fumble, he only committed one penalty, allowed an 83.6 quarterback rating and did not allow a touchdown throw. Nixon also established himself as a dominant kick returner, leading the league in return yards; he also returned one kick return for a touchdown for the first time since 2011 and was named as an NFL All-Pro player.
Keisean Nixon! 105 yard Kickoff return touchdown!
Where did the #Packes find this guy?pic.twitter.com/qhYV4he6M4
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 1, 2023
WR Christian Watson: His eight last games were exceptional. On just 35 touches, the youngster produced 584 total yards, eight total touchdowns, and three 100-yard receiving performances. Between Weeks 10 and 18, Watson averaged 10.6 yards per target and 2.58 yards per route run, both extraordinary figures for the position. As early as 2023, he might become one of the league’s future stars.
RB Aaron Jones: Jones had another outstanding season, rushing for a career-high 1,125 yards, forcing 63 missed tackles, creating 31 runs of 10 yards or more, and finishing with 59 catches, and all of this while leading the team in catches. In six seasons, he averaged more than 5.0 yards per rush for the fourth time.
Aaron Jones hit the Marshawn Lynch celebration on his TD run 😂
(📷: @packers) pic.twitter.com/dD4skxFPRC
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 13, 2022
Sure, the Packers had an underwhelming 2022-23 NFL season, but fans also saw the emergence of many stars. With the organization’s future in question, building around these players is the key to future success. I’ll see you next week, Packers fans.
This blog is awesome, and I wish I got to see it last semester to be honest. Green Bay is an interesting franchise because they’ve always seemed to have great talent but just couldn’t take it all the way (kind of like Dallas). The Packers always play well during the regular season and run their division and then playoffs comes around and they get taken down in the divisional round. Not a big fan of Aaron Rodgers though, even though he’s on his way out the door.