Green Bay Packers: Studs and duds vs. Chiefs in Week 8
Stud: Za’Darius Smith, OLB
For the most part, it was clear that the Kansas City Chiefs gameplan on Sunday Night Football was to get the ball out of Matt Moore’s hands as quickly as possible. There were a ton of short throws that tried to set up runs after the catch and, considering how close the game was, it worked. Even with that, though, first-year Packer and former Raven Za’Darius Smith continued to show out for the Green Bay defense.
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Smith finished the contest with four total tackles and two sacks to go along with three total QB hits. He has been a consistent force off of the edge in this Packers defense in 2019 with his effort in Week 8 now pushing his season sack total to eight. Green Bay made a big move to pay Smith handsomely in free agency and he’s consistently rewarding them with his performance as a pass-rusher.
Dud: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR
From the moment that Davante Adams went down with his toe injury, Packers fans have been waiting on the breakout game from Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Entering Week 8, it hadn’t happened yet. And it surely didn’t happen in primetime on Sunday night as this was probably the worst performance yet for the second-year pass-catcher.
Valdes-Scantling only saw two targets on the night, catching just one for four yards. In fairness (I suppose) the MVS, none of the secondary pass-catchers behind Adams really stepped up in a big way against the Chiefs. However, for a player like Valdes-Scantling who has so much potential and promise, it’s disheartening to see him consistently be a non-factor in this offense when the opportunity for him to step up is there.