Honestly, if you only look at the final box scores of a Green Bay Packers August, you’re missing about 90% of the actual story. Preseason football is a weird, beautiful lie. One minute you're watching a "disastrous" 20-point blowout, and the next, a third-string running back is making a play that changes the entire trajectory of the 53-man roster.
The 2025 preseason was exactly that kind of roller coaster.
It started with a thud at Lambeau and ended with a defensive masterclass that had everyone in Wisconsin checking flight prices to the Super Bowl. We saw a new kicker struggle with a visa, a backup quarterback battle that felt like a heavyweight fight, and a rookie receiver who might just be the "steal" Brian Gutekunst has been dreaming of.
The Numbers: Green Bay Packers Preseason Scores and Results
Let’s get the raw data out of the way first. The Packers finished their 2025 exhibition slate with a 2-1 record. Not that the win-loss column matters to Matt LaFleur as much as the "tape," but for those keeping track at home, here is how the scoreboard looked:
- Week 1: New York Jets 30, Green Bay Packers 10 (Lambeau Field)
- Week 2: Green Bay Packers 23, Indianapolis Colts 19 (Lucas Oil Stadium)
- Week 3: Green Bay Packers 20, Seattle Seahawks 7 (Lambeau Field)
The opener against the Jets was, frankly, a mess. "Sloppy football" was the phrase LaFleur kept using, and he wasn't being dramatic. The starters played a bit, the reserves played a lot, and nobody looked particularly sharp. Between dropped passes from Romeo Doubs and a fumble in the end zone by Malik Willis, it was the kind of game that makes fans nervous for September.
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But then things shifted. By the time they hit Indianapolis, the "rhythm" was back. A 23-19 win over the Colts proved that the depth was better than the Jets game suggested. Finally, the 20-7 win over Seattle in the finale was the "clean" game everyone wanted to see before the real bullets started flying.
Why That Jets Loss Was Actually Useful
You’ve probably heard the old coaching cliché that you learn more from a loss than a win. In the case of the green bay packers preseason scores, the 30-10 drubbing by the Jets was a massive wake-up call for the offensive line reserves.
Jacob Monk, a second-year lineman, had a night he’d probably like to delete from his memory. Three holding penalties. Three! Every time the offense started to move, a yellow flag hit the grass. It bogged everything down. The offense went a miserable 1-of-10 on third downs.
However, amidst the chaos, we saw the emergence of Amar Johnson. The rookie running back was basically the only bright spot that night, breaking off a 39-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. It was a "pro" run—waiting for the hole, hitting the cutback, and showing the kind of speed that makes you realize why the scouts liked him.
The Quarterback Drama: Willis vs. Elgersma
While Jordan Love is the undisputed king of 1265 Lombardi Avenue, the battle for the backup spot was arguably the most intense part of the summer. Malik Willis and Taylor Elgersma put up numbers that were surprisingly close, but their styles couldn't be more different.
Willis finished the preseason with 172 passing yards and a touchdown, but he also struggled with sacks and a costly fumble. On the other hand, Elgersma—the former Winnipeg Blue Bomber—was the "efficiency king." He completed nearly 70% of his passes for 166 yards. He looked calm. He didn't force things.
The preseason scores often flipped based on which of these two was under center. When Elgersma was in, the ball moved methodically. When Willis was in, it was high-variance—either a 20-yard scramble or a 10-yard sack.
Defense Finds Its Teeth
If you want to know why the Seahawks only managed 7 points in the finale, look at the linebackers. Jeff Hafley’s new 4-3 defense started to "click" in late August. Isaiah Simmons and Kristian Welch were everywhere.
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Welch, in particular, was a tackling machine. He finished the preseason with 21 total tackles. That’s a high number for three games where he didn't even play every snap. The defense forced three turnovers in the first half against Seattle. When your defense is handing the offense the ball at the 30-yard line, the green bay packers preseason scores are naturally going to look a lot better.
One name you need to remember: Matthew Golden.
The rookie receiver had an acrobatic 39-yard catch against the Seahawks that had the Lambeau crowd on its feet. He’s got these "strong hands" that coaches rave about. Even when he’s covered, he’s not really covered. With Christian Watson dealing with his usual injury concerns, Golden’s emergence in the preseason wasn't just a "nice story"—it was a necessity.
The Weird Stuff: Visas and Kicking Battles
You can't talk about this preseason without mentioning Mark McNamee. The Irish kicker had a visa delay that kept him out of Green Bay until literally the night before the Jets game. He arrived at 11:00 PM, suited up the next day, and handled kickoffs.
Ultimately, Brandon McManus held onto the job, hitting a 52-yarder against Seattle to prove he still has the leg. But McNamee showed enough "pop" that the Packers stashed him on the practice squad. It’s those little side-stories that make the preseason scores feel more human.
Actionable Insights for Packers Fans
If you're trying to figure out what these scores actually mean for the regular season, here is the reality:
- Don't Panic Over Penalties: Preseason officiating is always tighter as referees "warm up" their arms. The holding calls that killed the Jets game usually get cleaned up by Week 1.
- Watch the "Yards After Catch": The Packers' offense under LaFleur is built on playmakers in space. Even if the score is low, look at how guys like Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden are moving after the ball is in their hands.
- The Defensive Floor is Higher: In years past, the Packers' second-team defense would get shredded. In 2025, they held their own. That suggests the depth at linebacker and safety is much improved.
- Running Back Depth is Real: With Josh Jacobs leading the way, the emergence of Amar Johnson and the steady play of Emanuel Wilson means the Packers can survive a mid-season injury in the backfield.
The preseason is over, the cuts have been made, and the focus is now entirely on the NFC North. But those August games—sloppy as they were—provided the blueprint for what this team is going to be.
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Next Steps for You: Check out the final 53-man roster to see which of the preseason standouts actually made the cut, and keep an eye on the injury report for the season opener against Detroit. Knowing who excelled in the "meaningless" games will give you a major leg up in your fantasy league or your Sunday afternoon debates at the bar.