The preseason is in full swing, and at the same time, it's almost over.
Tonight's game between the Green Bay Packers and the Denver Broncos will be the final game of week 2 of the NFL's preseason.
Jobs are on the line. The Packers and the rest of the NFL will have their roster cut down to 53 in less than 10 days.
There is plenty to gain for some of the young players on the roster, which is presumably one of the reasons Matt LaFleur said he would sit his starters for tonight's matchup.
Despite the fact that Jordan Love is not going to play, the show must go on.
There are plenty of things to keep an eye on for tonight's game, including Love's position group.
Quarterback Rotation
Sean Clifford is set to start tonight according to Matt LaFleur.
He's been the #2 quarterback throughout camp, but in the team's final practice before heading to Denver there was a noticeable change in the two-minute operation.
Rookie quarterback Michael Pratt was given the reins before Clifford.
Normally that would not raise eyebrows, but it was pretty drastic considering Pratt had not taken any reps above the normal duties of the #3 quarterback.
Clifford is still going to start according to LaFleur, but when do the Packers make the switch, and who is around Pratt when that happens?
Those are questions worth keeping an eye on because the Packers could be looking at a true competition for Jordan Love's backup.
The likelihood is that Green Bay keeps three quarterbacks on the roster, which creates more heated competition elsewhere.
Dillon and Wilson
AJ Dillon is not worried about what people on the internet have to say .
Dillon's performance last week drew the ire of pundits, and the stat sheet is admittedly ugly.
Four carries for two yards is not going to inspire much confidence in anything, but Dillon's blocking did not do him any favors.
He had seven yards after contact, but only two total yards on the day. That paints a pretty good picture as to what Dillon was working with.
Emanuel Wilson might be Green Bay's new Mr. August.
Wilson looked fast and explosive in last week's 23-10 win over the Cleveland Browns.
He made the roster a season ago after leading the NFL in rushing during the preseason.
Wilson was used sporadically once the regular season started, and battled an injury that caused him to miss some time.
The question here becomes whether Wilson's performance starts catching the eyes of the coaching staff to potentially use him in front of Dillon.
If Wilson starts getting reps at the same time as Dillon, that's worth keeping an eye on as the game progresses.
The key for Wilson to make the roster is going to be in pass protection and third down plays.
That is where Dillon has excelled. He's the best pass protector in the backfield currently.
If Wilson is able to pick those things up, he could make a run at a roster spot, or potentially make the case to have the Packers keep four running backs.
OL Rotation
The offensive line is starting to come together.
Rasheed Walker, Elgton Jenkins, and Josh Myers are going to start. You can write that in ink.
Zach Tom will be the right tackle.
The only question is who is going to play right guard. This week, the Packers' unofficial depth chart listed Sean Rhyan and Jordan Morgan as co-starters at the position.
Friday's practice in Denver had a couple of different wrinkles.
Kadeem Telfort was with the ones at right tackle. That's part of the ongoing competition to be the team's third tackle. That competition feels like it's been whittled down to two with Telfort being joined by Andre Dillard.
The other interesting addition to the starting lineup at right guard was Jacob Monk.
Monk's intensity has been drawing some rave reviews as camp has progressed.
How are the Packers going to deploy their offensive line? Who starts? Who comes in, and when?
How late do some players play in the game?
Those are all questions that can provide some answers into how the Packers are thinking in terms of a pecking order on their offensive line.
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