2022 Packers Week Three: Defensive Player Of The Game
After a close game from start to finish, the Packers came out of Tampa Bay with a win. Time to analyze who was the Week three defensive player of the game.
On Sunday, the Green Bay Packers traveled to Tampa Bay to face Tom Brady and the undefeated Buccaneers in America’s game of the week. It was a tough battle for each team with offensive players injured and some didn’t play at all. Nevertheless, both squads showed up with their elite defenses and they came to play. It was a low-scoring bout in the 100-degree temps but the Packers were able to crawl out with a win and give the Buccaneers their first loss of the year. The Packers improved to 2-1 on the year.
Packers Defensive Player Of The Game: Keisean Nixon, CB
This was a tough decision between several players that played their hearts out against Tampa Bay but I couldn’t think of a better player than cornerback Keisean Nixon. Nixon started the year as a third-string depth option at cornerback. Star cornerback Jaire Alexander left early in the first half with a groin injury and did not return. Keisean Nixon was sent out on the field to replace him and he did not skip a beat. Going into the season, one of the questions on defense was depth, cornerback depth looks great after Nixon’s performance.
Nixon compiled six tackles with five of them being solo. In addition to pass breakups and amazing coverage, he was also able to punch a ball out and force a fumble that was recovered by the Packers. If all that wasn’t impressive enough, he was also spectacular on special teams. After a Pat O’Donnell punt on fourth down early in the third quarter, Nixon was able to rush down the field and down the ball at the Tampa Bay two-yard line. After starting at their own two-yard line, the Buccaneers went three and out as they were unable to gain any yards which forced a Tampa Bay punt and gave the ball back to Green Bay.
Packers Other Notable Defensive Players
As I mentioned earlier, there were several key players on the Packers’ defense that stepped up and played well. There were four players that recorded at least five tackles. One of them was Keisean Nixon, two others were former defensive MVPs for weeks one and two, and cornerback Rasul Douglas. Rasul Douglas was a madman out there, he wanted to be included in every play. De’Vondre Campbell, the leading tackler on the Packers, had another solid day by leading the defense in tackles. I thought last year was the best year of his career, he’s on pace to shatter that this year. Campbell recorded 14 total tackles with eight of them being solo.
Rookie linebacker Quay Walker once again showed why he was first-round talent by posting five total tackles, three solo, and one forced fumble that was recovered. Rasul Douglas was second on the team with eight tackles, all eight were solo tackles as he immediately downed any player running at him. Although they didn’t have flashy stat lines, safety Darnell Savage and defensive tackle Jarran Reed recovered the fumbles that were forced by Nixon and Walker. Those two turnovers were key plays to help change the tide in the game even though the Packers were already up at that time.
Packers Defense: What To Look For In Week Four
With the Packers posting back-to-back wins with the help of the defense, the Packers will play at home against the New England Patriots. Quarterback Mac Jones was injured in the Patriots game on Sunday. There hasn’t been any news on whether veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer will start for Jones or if rookie Bailey Zappe will get the nod to debut in his first NFL game. Either way, the Packers’ defense will be hungry for more sacks and pass rushes. The Patriots have a pair of solid running backs in Rhamondre Stevenson and Damie Harris but Quay Walker and De’Vondre Campbell should have no problem containing those two.
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