2021 Packers Stock Report: Week 16

Take a look at the stock report for the Green Bay Packers after a 24-22 win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 16 at Lambeau Field.

The Green Bay Packers are firmly in the driver's seat when it comes to controlling their own destiny as the No. 1-seed in the NFC.

If that's not something that makes you happy this holiday season, then I don't know what is.

But a Christmas day win over the Cleveland Browns didn't come easy. After jumping ahead early, the Browns fought back and had a chance to win the game until Rasul Douglas intercepted Baker Mayfield to secure the victory.

So let's dive right into the stock report for the Green Bay Packers after a 24-22 win over the Cleveland Browns at Lambeau Field in Week 16.

Buy

Rasul Douglas- I've added Rasul Douglas to the 'buy' list a few times this season, but I can't leave him off it this week. Douglas recorded two more interceptions on Saturday, including the game-sealing pick on the final Browns' offensive possession. Is he a perfect player? No. Is he exactly who the Packers needed without Jaire Alexander? Absolutely. He is consistently solid in pass coverage and his knack for the ball has been a pleasant add to this defense.

Davante Adams- Like Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams is someone who you can add to the 'buy' list almost every week. Again, Adams was excellent on Saturday (outside of a rare drop near the end of the game). Every week, defenses throw everything but the kitchen sink at him as far as coverages go. Yet, every week, Adams produces. Against the Browns, he finished with 10 catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns. The best receiver in the NFL will continued to be relied on heading into the most important time of the season.

Rashan Gary- Two sacks and three quarterback hits on Sunday added to an already impressive resume this season for Rashan Gary. In his third year out of Michigan, Gary has been relied on heavily as a primary edge rusher with the absence of Za'Darius Smith. Like Douglas, he's not necessarily a perfect player. But he's constantly in the backfield wreaking havoc, which is exactly what you want out of that position. It hurts me to type, but there seems to be a very real chance that Za'Darius won't return this season. So, buy up Gary's stock before the playoffs.

Sell

Passive playcalling- Yuck. Two weeks in a row of the Packers offense stalling in the second half and going away from the aggressive playcalling that put the squad ahead in the first place. It allowed the Ravens and the Browns, consecutively, to both get back into the game late. Both Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers have mentioned how it's something that will be addressed and corrected moving forward, so, sell it. See ya.

Run defense- The Packers have struggled in the past few games defending the run. First, the defense surrendered 137 yards on the ground to the Bears. Then, 143 to the Ravens. Saturday, it was 219 to the Browns. With how cold it's projected to be at Lambeau Field on Sunday night, and how heavily the Vikings can rely on the run game with a dynamic player like Dalvin Cook, I'd be lying if I said I'm not nervous about the run defense. Sell, for now.

Hold

AJ Dillon- Speaking of the run game, I've just got this feeling that AJ Dillon will touch the football often on Sunday. Dillon didn't necessarily do anything to raise or lower his stock against the Browns, but with how cold it will be on Sunday, I'd love to see Dillon physically run through Viking defenders and wear them down. Nothing better than a big, physical running back in the cold in Green Bay. Hold on to his stock, because it could jump with a solid game this weekend.

__________________________

Gunnar Davis is a lifelong Packers fan and a recent graduate of Simpson College, where he was a 3-year letterwinner on the offensive line and graduated with a degree in multimedia communications. You can follow him on Twitter at @Gunnar57Davis.

__________________________

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.

__________________________

NFL Categories: 
9 points
 

Comments (8)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
splitpea1's picture

December 29, 2021 at 02:08 pm

Despite winning the past couple of games, the Packers don't exactly look like they're rounding into playoff form.

Sell: MLF, timeouts. The casual attitude toward burning timeouts early or via silly challenges hasn't bitten us in the ass yet, but we're flirting with it. Whether it's AR or MLF, they need to be more judicious about using them.

Sell: MLF, second half play-calling. No need to go for broke or score TDs every time with the lead, but concentrate on moving the chains and killing clock. What works in the first half doesn't always work in the second, as the opposing defenses may have adjusted. Three-and-outs are unacceptable.

Hold: MLF. Another fine regular season is almost in the books; 39-9, 40-9 is great, but he needs to get us over the hump in the playoffs this time.

Sell: Savage. He's due for some improvement, but when is it coming?

Sell: Passive pass defense--every time, all the time.

Buy: Douglas--our defensive MVP. He's saved our hides twice to ice games in the fourth quarter. Sign him long-term ASAP!

Buy: Gary. Delivering on expectations.

Hold: When are a couple of our injured starters coming back? It's tough to come from the shelf and be back to your former self instantly. Maybe the Packers try to get them in for a few series at least before the playoffs, I don't know.

4 points
4
0
10ve 💚's picture

December 29, 2021 at 02:06 pm

Spot on Gunnar!

1 points
1
0
MarkinMadison's picture

December 29, 2021 at 02:06 pm

I think that would make Dillon a buy. And I would buy Dillon getting more carries this week in a heartbeat. And if he doesn't I would sell the play-caller.

Special teams took a step forward last week by eliminating the mistakes. Probably too much to ask them to make a play this week. So I'll rate them a hold.

I'll buy that the poor run gap discipline gets fixed this week. That is a matter of faith, not reason.

-1 points
2
3
jhtobias's picture

December 29, 2021 at 02:56 pm

Sell : coaches unwilling to give honest updates on activated injured players.

Try something new like be honest . Hope rumors swirl that baks career is over and cause a huge uneeded disruption with the team . Tired of the day to day crap we all are day to day.

-4 points
0
4
dobber's picture

December 29, 2021 at 04:47 pm

Why would coaches give any of their opponents any advanced scouting in this way?

5 points
5
0
mvprzy's picture

December 29, 2021 at 04:10 pm

Buy - a try-out for the CFL special teams returner

5 points
5
0
porupack's picture

December 29, 2021 at 04:31 pm

Re; passive playcalling. Seems to me MLF does try some aggresive play calls, like that failed play with St. Brown in the backfield. It was aggressive. Had it worked, it would have been hailed as a play that keeps the D from focusing on runs up the middle. Deep shots even on 3rd down are also necessary even on short yardage at times, to keep the D respecting the whole field, so that increases the chances of other short yardage plays to succeed. I think Fans are conflicted on this. Basically, they just want all plays to succeed, and when they don't always succeed, its either because MLF is too aggressive or not aggressive enough. If rodgers hits a 68 yard TD strike on 3rd and 4, it is aggressive and brilliant. If a 3rd and 3 run up the middle comes up short, then its not aggressive enough. Hmm, I'll buy aggressive play calls.....we need more, even if they are higher risk/reward.

0 points
1
1
stockholder's picture

December 29, 2021 at 05:23 pm

Buy - Rodgers - Rodgers wants that MVP Award. Sell - Savage- His tackling needs work. Always seems to be out of position. Hold- MLF.

2 points
2
0