The Green Bay Packers picked up an improbable victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 3. Trailing 17-0 entering the fourth quarter, Green Bay found their way on offense in the nick of time, scoring 18 unanswered points to steal a win away from the visiting Saints.
New Orleans rookie kicker Blake Grupe missed a 46-year field goal with just over a minute left in the game to seal the deal. The Packers showed a lot of fortitude coming back in the fashion they did as many teams would have called it a day after getting shut out for three quarters.
Given how the game unfolded, it should come as no surprise that many of the standouts for the Packers were on the defensive side of the ball. This week’s highest-graded players skew to that unit as they did an excellent job of keeping the team in the game.
Who stood out the most in Week 3? Here are the five highest-graded players for Green Bay from their Week 3 matchup against the Saints.
5. CB Keisean Nixon
The Packers’ passing defense has been solid thus far this season and that continued in Week 3 against New Orleans. After being picked on at times during the first two weeks of the season, Keisean Nixon responded with a strong game on Sunday afternoon.
He earned an overall defensive grade of 74.2, recording three tackles without missing one and recorded one stop. Nixon did give up two completions for only 20 yards and was credited with a pass breakup as well, earning a coverage grade of 80.5, which was second-best on the team.
Slot coverage had been an issue up until this point so it was nice to see Nixon bounce back with a solid performance. Green Bay will need more of those in the future for this unit to reach its potential.
4. CB Rasul Douglas
The Saints have a dynamic duo at wide receiver with Chris Olave and Michael Thomas. Being without Jaire Alexander, a lot of pressure was going to be on Rasul Douglas as the team’s No. 1 in Week 3. The veteran responded just as you would hope he would.
Douglas had an overall grade of 75.7 and a coverage grade of 76.2, which was third on the team. He was responsible for the touchdown that Jimmy Graham caught but was credited with one stop and one pass breakup.
Despite giving up the score, Douglas surrendered only 29 receiving yards on three receptions and five targets.
3. OLB Rashan Gary
The Packers have been limiting the snaps of Rashan Gary as he continues to work his way back from a torn ACL suffered last season. It doesn’t matter how few snaps he plays, he finds a way to be impactful.
Gary recorded 3.0 sacks on Sunday afternoon with five total pressures on only 20 pass-rushing attempts. His 73.9 pass-rushing grade was the highest on the team. He was credited with three stops as well, getting the job done in every facet of the game.
Overall, Gary earned a defensive grade of 77.8 with a tackling grade of 73.3.
2. ILB De’Vondre Campbell
The Packers were hopeful that De’Vondre Campbell could return to the All-Pro form that he showed during the 2021 season. In Week 3 against the Saints, he was on track for that before suffering an ankle injury.
Campbell was able to play only 11 snaps before having to exit the game, earning a grade of 79.3. But, in those snaps, he made his presence felt with two tackles and a stop before being forced to the sidelines. His status will be something to keep an eye on going forward as he is a big part of Joe Barry’s scheme defensively.
1. S Rudy Ford
Coming into the season, arguably the biggest weakness for the Packers was the safety position. No one was staking a claim to become the leader of this group, but that may have changed in Week 3.
Rudy Ford played an incredible game against the Saints, registering an overall grade of 88.2, which was the highest of the week and third-highest single-game score of his career. It was certainly deserved as Ford was excellent against the run and in coverage.
Overall, he recorded seven tackles without a miss, picking up two stops and one pass breakup. He allowed only one reception on four targets for a measly four yards.
