Week 11 Cheeseboard
A few Packers earn a cheese this week by a fingernail
The Packers 20-19 win over the Bears on Sunday was an ugly game through and through for both sides. A rock fight if you will.
But in every fight — well except Tyson-Paul — are bright spots that deserve recognition and this game was no different. You know the drill. Multiple studs, only three cheeses this week. Let’s get into it.
Week 11’s candidates
Christian Watson: 4 catches on 4 targets, 150 receiving yards (93.0 PFF grade)
Karl Brooks: 29 defensive snaps, game-winning blocked field goal (93.5 PFF grade on ST, 58.0 PFF Def. Grade)
Rashan Gary: 46 snaps, 6 combined tackles (3 solo), 1 sack, 2 QB hits, 5 pressures, 1 TFL (79.0 PFF grade)
Josh Jacobs: 18 carries, 76 rushing yards, 1 TD // 4 catches on 5 targets, 58 receiving yards (71.5 PFF grade)
Jordan Love: 13-for-17, 261 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 113.0 passer rating // 4 carries, 18 rushing yards, 1 TD (73.7 PFF grade)
Zach Tom: 46 snaps, 2 pressures allowed (73.8 PFF grade)
Week 9 Cheeses
🧀 Karl Brooks 🧀
The finger thwap that sent scores of Bears fans into hysterics. Karl Brooks’ middle finger enters the elite group of Packers to have their middle fingers etched in Packers-Bears rival history, joining another big man:
Karl Brooks’ game-winning field goal block is another huge play the second-year D-lineman has made in his career and is carving out a nice role for himself on the line. Outside of crucial block, Brooks had two tackles including registering a “STOP” on PFF. He only has two sacks on the year, but maybe this is the play that wakes him up and he becomes the menace on the line he is meant to be.
🧀 Christian Watson 🧀
Christian Watson showed out on Sunday with three of his four catches coming at absolutely crucial times in the ball game, earning him his first cheese of the season. The catch while being double covered moved the offense down the field after not moving the ball well much at all through the air. His comeback route on 3rd down kept the drive alive and his wherewithal to get up and run after making a diving catch in the middle of the field set the Packers up for victory. A lot of people call Christian Watson a deep ball merchant, but more and more we’re seeing him have big impacts on plays near the sideline and over the middle. I think using him in more ways than a go-route runner is a huge part of unlocking this offense for the Green Bay Packers.
🧀 Rashan Gary 🧀
To say Rahsan Gary has had an up and down season would be underselling it. After getting paid his large contract last year, Gary has followed it up with 3.5 sacks this season, two of which came in the same game. However, since trading Preston Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Gary has had a chance to change his role in the defense, mainly moving from working on the right tackle and now working on the left tackle. Zach Kruse from Packers Wire pulled a great stat.
A pressure every five or so pass rushes versus one every 12 pass rushes is an extreme improvement. If he can keep that up for the rest of the season against some pretty darn good teams on the schedule, I think I and a lot of other Packers fans will be changing their tune about Gary’s 2024 campaign.
Cheeseboard through Week 9
Josh Jacobs 🧀 x3
Xavier McKinney 🧀 x3
Jayden Reed 🧀 x3
Edgerrin Cooper 🧀 x2
Rashan Gary 🧀 x2
Tucker Kraft 🧀 x2
Zach Tom 🧀 x2
Eric Wilson 🧀 x2
Daniel Whelan 🧀 x2
Jaire Alexander 🧀
Karl Brooks 🧀
Romeo Doubs 🧀
Kingsley Enagbare 🧀
Elgton Jenkins 🧀
Jordan Love 🧀
Christian Watson 🧀
Evan Williams 🧀
Malik Willis 🧀
De’Vonte Wyatt 🧀