If Matt LaFleur felt he did not see the style of play he wanted from his Packers team in the joint practice and preseason game versus the Broncos a week ago, he would have been thrilled with his team’s efforts against the Ravens this week.

After a strong showing in the joint practice with Baltimore, Green Bay’s starters were excused from the preseason finale at Lambeau Field on Sunday, giving the second and third stringers a chance to shine, and shine they did.

The Packers won in the trenches consistently, especially on defense, where Arron Mosby made a strong case for a roster spot with a sack/forced fumble as well as an interception.

Kristian Welch did all he could to force his way onto the 53 with another positive performance, including a second pick in as many weeks. With Edgerrin Cooper and Ty’Ron Hopper’s acclimation to the Packers slowed due to injuries, Welch has a legitimate shot at making it.

Jeff Hafley’s group played with aggression, rallying to the ball in packs to get ball carriers to the ground, and crucially, forcing turnovers.

Kalen King continued to impress with a forced fumble and the type of tough tackling that will make him a viable option as a starting slot corner.

On offense, Josh Jacobs, A.J. Dillon and MarShawn Lloyd all sat out, giving Emmanuel Wilson and other fringe running backs their final opportunity to put out positive tape not only for the Packers, but potentially other teams as well.

Wilson continued to run the ball efficiently and churn out yards, as he has throughout preseason. With the injuries to Dillon and Lloyd, Wilson might be in pole position to be the second running back when the Packers face the Eagles in Brazil in less than two weeks time.

Ellis Merryweather and Nate McCrary, who was recently added to the roster after a previous stint with the team, also ran the ball well on Sunday.

As a whole, the running backs averaged five yards per carry, thanks in large part to Green Bay’s offensive line, which generated movement up front all afternoon.

Green Bay’s depth at wide receiver was on display against Baltimore, as Malik Heath, Bo Melton, and even forgotten man Samori Toure displayed their quality.

Heath’s gritty, bully style of receiver play makes him a valuable presence and gives him a strong chance of making the roster for the second straight year. Among his four catches for 39 yards, he boxed out in the end zone and adjusted to a pass slightly behind him for a score.

Melton also found the end zone, hauling in a back shoulder pass from Michael Pratt, while Toure had 24 yards on a pair of catches.

On the less positive side, uneven performances from quarterbacks Pratt and Sean Clifford did little to improve confidence that either will be a capable backup to Jordan Love in 2024.

Clifford was 6 of 14 for 53 yards and a touchdown, while Pratt was 8 of 12 for 80 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Pratt may have outperformed Clifford overall, but the rookie still has plenty to learn. After throwing a needless interception, he rushed in to attempt a tackle and suffered what looked to be a bad injury, but fortunately avoided anything serious, with LaFleur saying Pratt “had the wind knocked out of him”. 

The Packers broadcast crew talked about Anders Carlson’s new stance which had helped him to kick more consistently of late, and the arrow appeared to be pointing up for the second-year kicker after he converted a 54-yarder.

But then he sliced a routine 32-yard field goal wide right. Greg Joseph, competing for the job, also nailed a long field goal, firing a 55-yarder right down the middle.

Brian Gutekunst has to pick someone, and Carlson is likely to be the choice, but expect the Packers to be scouring the waiver wire and free agent market for better options. Packers fans are going to be living in fear of a missed kick ending the season all year long.