RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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The Green Bay Packers failed to score a touchdown and were defeated by the Pittsburgh Steelers by the final score of 28-9 in the preseason opener on Thursday night at Acrisure Stadium.
Rookie kicker Trey Smack connected on three field goals, including a 58-yarder before half time, but the Packers were unable to get into the end zone while the Steelers scored four touchdowns, including three in the second half to run away with the victory. Packers quarterback Jordan Love played only a single series.
Instant analysis of the Packers' preseason-opening loss to the Steelers:
Final score: Steelers 28, Packers 9
It was over when...
Drew Allar hit Riley Nowakowski for a 4-yard touchdown pass with just under two minutes to go, extending the lead to 19 points and ensuring there would be no comeback late. The Steelers scored three straight touchdowns in the second half to take command.
Game balls
K Trey Smack: The rookie made all four of his kicks, although one -- his first 58-yarder -- was negated by penalty. He later hit another 58-yarder as time expired in the first half. An excellent start for the sixth-round pick.
QB Kyle McCord: Third up at quarterback, McCord completed 12 of 16 passes for 102 yards -- leading a pair of drives ending in field goals. He made a few impressive throws, including a strike to J. Michael Sturdivant that converted a third down. He also led the Packers on a quick drive for points right before the half. McCord looks like the clear favorite to be QB3.
DBs Murvin Kenion/Mark Perry: Kenion made a team-high six tackles, and he also broke up a pass and preventing a touchdown with a hit along the backline of the end zone. Perry had five tackles, and his coverage/tackle on fourth down inside the 5-yard line forced a turnover on downs.
Key stat
169: The Packers gave up 169 yards on back-to-back touchdown drives engineered by rookie quarterback Drew Allar in the second half. Of the 169, 74 came on a catch-and-run from rookie Kaden Wetjen, who beat Jaylin Simpson on a slant and then got past Trey Dean in the open field.
Jordan Love watch
Love played one series, leading the Packers 46 yards in 10 plays before settling for a 37-yard field goal from Trey Smack. Love's best play was a 19-yard completion to Jayden Reed, converting on third down. Love finished 3-of-5 passing for 18 yards. The Packers starting quarterback exited without taking a hit or risking an injury.
Injury updates
Backup offensive lineman Darian Kinnard left the game after getting rolled up on in the second half. Safety Mark Perry left the game briefly but returned. Defensive lineman Anthony Campbell was injured on Wetjen's 74-yard catch.
What's next
The Packers have a couple of public practices in Green Bay (Sunday, Aug. 16 and Tuesday, Aug. 18) before they go to Denver to play the Broncos next Friday.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Instant analysis of Packers' preseason-opening loss to Steelers
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