2022 Packers Stock Report: Week 15

Take a look at the stock report for the Green Bay Packers after a 24-12 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 15.

If you're the Green Bay Packers, you can't make the playoffs if you don't win the first one.

And the Packers took care of business on Monday night.

One down, three to go.

Damn you Packers for giving me hope.

In all seriousness, this season has been pretty tough to watch for the majority of it. So I'll take wins where we can get them -- even if it means beating an incredibly banged up team led by a quarterback who just got there a few weeks ago.

So let's get into the stock report for the Green Bay Packers after a 24-12 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 15.

BUY

Zach Tom- All Zach Tom does is play solid football. Do you remember at the beginning of the year when Tom played well in the preseason... and then wasn't even considered as one of the team's top seven linemen? Well, it's safe to say if the Packers need a sixth man to plug in and play somewhere on the offensive line, Tom is now the guy to do it. He gave up just one pressure against the Rams in David Bakhtiari's absence and played well all night. I think he's got a bright future in this league, so I'm buying his stock.

Preston Smith- When it's primetime and the pressure is on, Preston Smith always seems to respond. That's what he did against Los Angeles, logging four pressures and two sacks in the win. He's had a solid season up to this point, but without Rashan Gary, Smith will need to continue to play well and lead this pass rush. Buy.

Keisean Nixon- I've included Keisean Nixon to this list for the third consecutive stock report, but my goodness, I just can't get enough of watching this guy return kicks. "We now have a returner who they kick the ball away from. It's incredible," Aaron Rodgers said on the Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday. Nixon leads the NFL with eight kick returns of 30-plus yards. It is a complete 180 of what we saw early in the season. Now, I'm excited when the other team kicks or punts the ball. Buy, buy, buy.

SELL

Darnell Savage- We've all been pretty tough on Darnell Savage this season, understandably so. However, it was a slight surprise to see Savage completely out of the defensive back rotation on Monday night. He logged just one snap, which happened to be the converted 3rd and 15 on the Rams' first offensive possession of the game. After that, he was nowhere to be seen. Even though the Packers picked up his fifth-year option, I doubt we see Savage back next season. The lack of playing time only confirms that belief. Sell.

Tight ends- I am fully aware that the Packers use a tight-end-by-committee style approach to that position. But I think when this season is over, one of the first position groups this front office has to address is the tight end room. Three of the top five worst-graded players on offense on Monday night according to PFF were tight ends (Josiah Deguara [51.6], Robert Tonyan [53.3], Tyler Davis [58.3]). Tonyan hasn't looked the same coming back from injury, Davis is a backup at best, Deguara is a role player and Marcedes Lewis is a 38-year-old glorified offensive lineman (love him though). I wouldn't be shocked if that room looks very different next season.

HOLD

Playoff hopes- As in, "I'm going to hold on to the small chance of hope the Packers make the playoffs." I will admit, I am an eternal optimist who always sees the silver lining. My glass is always half full. But it's going to be a tough road. The team first travels to Miami for a challenging contest against a run game led by Raheem Mostert (who has a history of running well against Green Bay). Then, the Packers will follow it up by playing two home games against division rivals that have already beat them once this season. For now, I'm just going to enjoy what could be the last few days of hope for the 2022 Green Bay Packers.

Go Pack Go.

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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.

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PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.

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5 points
 

Comments (14)

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

December 21, 2022 at 04:48 pm

What happened to Savage? The guy had so much talent, and promise, coming out of the draft.
Why did he follow in Kings footsteps? I mean; can the packers call in a shrink?
If the Dc is that much of a problem. Fire the coaches. First King now Savage.

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Coldworld's picture

December 21, 2022 at 05:47 pm

Well maybe Barry. Certainly his arrival coincided with the regression, one that seems to have since spread to all and sundry

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Swisch's picture

December 21, 2022 at 07:24 pm

While I agree that Barry doesn't seem to be part of the solution for the Packers going forward, and should be respectfully let go, in my opinion he hasn't been the main problem, either.

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HawkPacker's picture

December 22, 2022 at 07:07 am

Swisch, I am curious. What is the main problem with the defense?

2 points
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Swisch's picture

December 22, 2022 at 11:08 am

My hunch is that the main problem with the defense is that it's too predictable.
Mix up the tight coverage and the looser coverage; mix in blitzes; mix in who does what on any given down -- keep the offense guessing.
What do you think, HawkPacker?

0 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

December 21, 2022 at 07:38 pm

King was never a player. Savage just looks to be filling space. Does not appear he cares for football. This guy is a fast DB who watches plays unfold around him and shows zero interest in engaging the ball carrier or covering a WR. What the Packers seem to lack is a scouting dept. that can fill the defensive depth chart with football players. Nixon and Ford are guys brought in for sp teams and have beat out the high salaried premium picks.

4 points
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Starrbrite's picture

December 21, 2022 at 10:14 pm

Yes—well said.

2 points
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splitpea1's picture

December 21, 2022 at 05:49 pm

Agree with the buys. The emergence of Tom presents a twofold question: 1) Are the Packers confident enough to part ways with Bakh? 2) If so, how high will the next tackle pick be?....Preston has been one of the few veteran bright spots on defense, and he has finally broken through his odd year/even year inconsistencies. I hope he doesn't end up as a cap casualty, but he could be.

Buy: The good old days of the 14-game season. No more silly playoff chatter and right on to the interesting predicaments our exalted leaders have planned for us going forward (how's that for optimism?). Oh well, three more games....

Buy: Christmas. Contradicting myself, blessed are the powers that be for putting the Dolphins game on national TV. Anything that makes life easier is always appreciated.

Hold: Love. I wouldn't surprise me one bit if he didn't get another chance until the second half of the finale vs. Detroit--again. Sigh.

5 points
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PackyCheese500's picture

December 22, 2022 at 11:08 am

Preston Smith sure looked good, but remember it was against a 3rd string offensive line. Let’s see how he does against better competition, but I am optimistic.

We would only save 3.28m next year if we got rid of Smith, so I doubt getting rid of him would just be for cap purposes. I could see him being traded next year, though, perhaps for a 4th or 3rd round pick.

I am confident rolling with Tom. We must cut Bakhtiari because of cap reasons. We don’t need to address Tackle high next year because we have Nijman on the right side, and he can easily be tendered for not very much (4.6m). We could add a day 3 depth pick easily, though, although Rasheed Walker and Caleb Jones are two quality depth tackles.

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Swisch's picture

December 21, 2022 at 07:14 pm

I'm with Gunnar in enjoying any hope that the Packers have of making the playoffs.
In any case, there's only three more games to go in the regular season, and I want to cherish each of them; as it's such a long period of months (even for playoff teams) until the next training camp and the preseason.
***
I've been so conflicted about what is best for the Packers these days that I've mostly been at a loss for words. I generally check in here at CHTV a few times per day to keep in touch with the latest news and what other good fans are saying.
My preference would be for Jordan Love to already be playing quarterback for the Packers; and Joe Barry to have been relieved of his duties as defensive coordinator; and for Mark Murphy to stop his apparent interference in the duties of the GM and head coach -- but none of those things may happen this season, or even next season.
In all of the tangles of the Packers regarding leadership, it seems all I can do (and in a sense the most I can do) is to pray for the best for all concerned, including us as fans.
If God deigned to become a baby born in Bethlehem, then I think he doesn't disdain to address my concerns about the Packers -- even if it isn't at the top of his list of priorities, or mine.
***
In a sense, it seems to me, even the little things in life are important, as long as we try to keep everything in proper perspective.
At times I wonder why the Packers have meant so much to me for so long, but to some extent I try to accept what I don't understand, and also to appreciate that there is an element of mystery to life.
I still remember at age 10, in 1972, the thrill of the Packers beating the Vikings with the elusive Fran Tarkenton to make it to the playoffs; then the frustration and sadness of losing to the Redskins in the first round, I think to the point of some tears.
Now, at age 60, what does one make of such matters as music, and humor, and family ties -- and the yearly drama of caring about these guys in the green and gold and how they'll do each week on the field?
As long as there's a game to be played, and especially if the playoffs are at least a possibility, I'll try to mainly enjoy the ride.
***
As long as I'm getting kind of personal, and rambling in my dotage -- as I tend to do at times -- I may as well wish all of the staff at CHTV, as well as all of the fans who gather here, a Merry Christmas!
Even for those who aren't Christian, I like to point out that all people can celebrate Christmas as the beginning of the belief in the American ideal that all of us are created equal, and thus entitled to basic human rights without exception.
As a matter of history, universal equality and universal rights were unthinkable in the ancient world before Christ, perhaps even unimaginable, even to the likes of Plato and Aristotle.
In any case, thanks to those of you who have indulged my asides. Like Lombardi, as I understand him, I tend to associate football almost seamlessly with the rest of life.
***
P.S. The two-part biography of our legendary coach from the NFL Channel -- plus the first two episodes of the series, "America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions" -- may be good holiday fare in between "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Home Alone."
For one thing, the biography shows how Lombardi, apparently without trying to make a social statement, was at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement in the way he dealt with all of his players as men. Bill Curry also speaks to this issue in moving terms, from a player's perspective, in the episode about the champion Packers of 1966.

8 points
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Starrbrite's picture

December 21, 2022 at 10:24 pm

Well done Swisch. You and I often disagree on ARod, but we agree on many other points.
Merry Christmas
Go Packers!!!

3 points
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Rarescope's picture

December 22, 2022 at 01:25 pm

"As long as there's a game to be played, and especially if the playoffs are at least a possibility, I'll try to mainly enjoy the ride."

Best any of us can do. Merry Christmas!

2 points
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Starrbrite's picture

December 21, 2022 at 10:47 pm

HOPE:
“Let me tell you something my friend; Hope is a dangerous thing; Hope can make you insane.”
Bring on the hope.
Go Packers!!!

2 points
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T7Steve's picture

December 22, 2022 at 09:03 am

Let's win one in Miami. I'll then want the next games too. GPG!

3 points
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