GREEN BAY – What Matt LaFleur suggested was "the most entertaining preseason game you've ever seen in your life" ended in the Packers' favor, 42-38, over the Cardinals on Friday night at Lambeau Field.
Here are five takeaways from the preseason finale:
1. QB Kyle McCord not only impressed but finished with a flourish.
The No. 3 quarterback played the entire game and quickly settled in after a couple off-target throws early, ultimately passing for 226 yards and four touchdowns. His last two scores, both to WR Kisean Johnson, rallied the Packers from an 11-point deficit in the final four minutes.
The game-winning score came with just 20 seconds left.
"He did a heck of a job, man," LaFleur said. "He was so just poised in his ability to operate and function. I think he's, he definitely has the demeanor, no doubt about it. He's in total control out there, and he's willing to stand in the pocket, deliver in the face of pressure.
In going 22-of-35 on the night, McCord finished the preseason 46-of-70 for 446 yards with the four TDs and zero interceptions for a 102.4 passer rating. Now the Packers, who normally don't keep three QBs on the 53-man roster, have to weigh whether they can afford to expose McCord to waivers to get him on the practice squad, or if they must keep him.
"There's a lot of tough roster decisions to make, so I think that'll work itself out here in the near future," LaFleur said.
2. The head coach tapped a new play-caller for the second half.
As is customary in the preseason, LaFleur had offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich calling the plays at the start of the game. But he handed the call sheet to a newbie for the second half – starting QB Jordan Love.
"I was kind of messing with him before the game," LaFleur said. "I just went up to him, so it's not like he had time to prep. I was like, 'Hey, you want to call it in the second half?' He's like, 'Sure.' I was like, 'You sure?' He was like, 'Yeah, I'll do it.' And you know, and he did it, and he did an outstanding job."
LaFleur lauded Love for "how calm, cool and collected he was" on the headset, especially down the stretch with McCord and the offense mounting the furious comeback.
3. Multiple young receivers made strong bids for roster spots.
In addition to Johnson's big finish, undrafted rookie J. Michael Sturdivant caught the first of McCord's four TD passes on a 29-yard out-and-up, and he caught six passes for 112 yards in all.
The second TD pass went to Will Sheppard amongst his three catches for 26 yards, but his big highlight was an 81-yard punt return to paydirt. His teammates took care of the gunners on the outside, and Sheppard burst through a big lane up the middle of the field, untouched all the way.
"I believed he had it in him," LaFleur said. "That's why he was back there."
Sturdivant's big night made him the Packers' leading receiver in the preseason with 142 yards on nine grabs. Isaiah Neyor was right behind with 100 yards on 10 catches, but unfortunately Neyor dropped a perfectly thrown bomb from McCord in the third quarter that would've gone for a long touchdown.
As with many positions, though, just how many receivers the Packers will keep on the 53 remains unknown, but the group produced multiple practice-squad candidates as well.
4. Despite the ugly stats, some young defenders shined, too.
The Cardinals rolled up 492 yards of offense thanks to a number of explosive gains, including two long TDs early.
But edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly was a defensive standout, with a sack, an interception and three tackles for loss. The undrafted rookie from UCF got an assist on the INT from DT Jaden Crumedy, who hit QB Kedon Slovis as he tried to throw, and the flutterball went to Kelly for a diving pick.
"He's made tremendous progress," LaFleur said of Kelly, also complementing him on multiple QB hits. "I think (defensive assistant coach DeMarcus Covington) does a great job with those guys, and it was cool to see him get extended action and out there making plays."
Also, DT Anthony Campbell had his second sack of the preseason and rookie fourth-round pick Dani Dennis-Sutton had his first. Edge rusher Arron Mosby got a late interception to set up the game-winning score, in part thanks to a pressure from DT Nazir Stackhouse. Mosby, Crumedy and CB Jaylin Simpson each were credited with two passes defensed, and LB TJ Quinn had two TFLs among his team-leading nine tackles.
5. One comment about RB Josh Jacobs was unequivocal.
Jacobs was charged with two criminal misdemeanors on Thursday stemming from a May arrest, and his legal situation has yet to play out. Regarding Jacobs' future, LaFleur said, "I fully anticipate him being a member of our team."
