Five Stars That Must Step Up for the Packers

After an awful performance against the Lions on Sunday afternoon, the Packers headed into their bye, sitting pretty but still leaving fans wanting more. The team is in a much better place than last year, where they were 3-6 through nine weeks rather than 6-3 this season. The talent has improved, and a new assistant coach in Robert Saleh and a new defensive coordinator has been acquired, enhancing a very unreliable defense last year. As the team prepares to face the crosstown rival Bears this week, some stars need to step up to help the Packers solidify making the playoffs.

1. Jordan Love

Jordan Love’s first half of the season has had perfect highs, like beating the Texans and throwing four touchdowns in back-to-back games. Then fans are treated to his drastic lows with interceptions that lead to touchdowns, bad throws, and bad decisions, which ultimately cost the Packers come games. After last season, the Packers know the talent is there, but Brett Favre's recklessness tendencies need to be coached out of him. The pressure is on him to perform because he is the face of the Packers, and the team will go where he goes. Love will turn it around in the second half and pick up where he left off.

2. Jayden Reed

Jayden Reed’s first couple of games this season were fantastic, and it looked like Reed would become Love's number-one target. Then, once Love went down with an injury, Jayden seemed overshadowed by his fellow receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. Jayden's talent alone should be enough for him to emerge as the top receiver, and his speed, ability to gain separation, and speed create a very talented receiver for Jordan Love to throw to. Maybe it is the playcalling or not getting as many targets, but the Packers need to utilize him more, and Reed needs to perform when he does get targeted. Reed can perform and has a chance in the second half to re-write the narrative of this season.

3. Lukas Van Ness

The third star is Packer's first-round pick from last year, Lukas Van Ness. The pass rush has been the only downside for the Packers this season because they have improved in coverage and run defense from last year. However, the defensive line generates no pressure on opposing quarterbacks, which puts more pressure on the secondary and linebackers to make plays than on the defensive line. The Packers also traded away defensive tackle Preston Smith, so Van Ness will have to step up now with having more snaps. He will have less time to sit and develop, and the team will rely on him to step up and develop into a superstar who can change games. For this team to go far in the playoffs, the pressure on opposing quarterbacks and the sack rate needs to improve, and this can be fixed by Lukas stepping up and helping the defensive line do a better job.

4. Eric Stokes

I have called for Eric Stokes to be benched all season, especially after his dreadful performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions. Eric Stokes, a former first-round first-round pick for the Pack, has been among the few rare misses for the front office. Injuries have plagued Stokes, and his performance will not be acceptable at the NFL level when he returns. The Packers indicated he would not be around much longer when they declined his fifth-year option, but they did not trade for anybody at the deadline, so they will have to stick with him for the rest of the season. Stokes has yet to live up to his first-round pick status, and if he does not improve, then the Packers season might end because of him or his actions. Eric had an excellent first season, but it has been unpleasant the past few seasons, and he is not doing well in his position for the Packers. The Packers will need a miracle turnaround from him to push them toward a deep run in the playoffs.

5. Quay Walker

Quay Walker is the final star for the Pack that needs to enhance their performance. Another first-round pick out of Georgia, like his friend Eric Stokes, Walker has been on and off this season and during his time in Green Bay. Quay has lightning-fast speed, is strong and tall, and has a good IQ, but it has yet to click completely. The Packers last had a star linebacker a long time ago, and Walker was supposed to fix this, especially after how well he played in college at Georgia. His main weakness has been in coverage and against the run, and his only main strength has been when the defense has been blitzing. It is becoming concerning because if he can't defend the run or make plays in coverage, what is he doing for the team? A second-half resurgence is possible for the former first-round pick, and he can string together a good rest of the season to prove he is vital to the long-term success of the Packers.