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PACKERS

Bob McGinn, beat writer

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Green Bay --- The third exhibition game took on a bit more meaning for the Green Bay Packers this year. Starters on both sides of the ball played through much of the first half. Questions remain but Green Bay has to be pleased with where it's at after a convincing 31-21 win over the Oakland Raiders Friday night at Lambeau Field.

Andrew Quarless, Jordy Nelson and Eddie Lacy all scored first-half touchdowns as the Packers built a 31-7 lead. Oakland scored twice late in the fourth quarter.

Here are the grades.

More coming out of the locker room soon. Feel free to weigh in below.

Offense: A-

Those face-value tickets and $30-$40 parking prices (really) were a pinch more worth it for fans at Lambeau Field this time. A year ago, they were treated to Graham Harrell’s 6-of-13 swan song as a Packer. On Friday night, Rodgers played six series. Eddie Lacy’s one series was about as good as it gets, with 36 yards on six bruising carries and a touchdown. And while choppy — with two 3-and-outs, two Randall Cobb drops and some hits on Rodgers mixed in —the Packers’ offense did churn out 22 points.

Rodgers went 9 of 20 for 139 yards with two touchdowns. DuJuan Harris had a chance to work with the first-team offensive line briefly and likely locked up his roster spot. The team’s No. 1 kick returner took one screen pass 31 yards and also rushed for 56 yards on 12 carries. Most importantly, he got north and south with abandon while not fumbling.

On the down side for Green Bay, the offensive line had hiccups in pass protection. On a twist over guard Josh Sitton, LaMarr Woodley dinged Rodgers. James Starks (nine yards on seven attempts) didn’t have much running room at all. And one of Cobb's drops up the left seam came with nobody in his zip code.

The back-up QB battle raged on with Scott Tolzien looking sharper than Matt Flynn. Next week's game against Kansas City could essentially be Flynn/Tolzien Bowl.

And Alex Gillett isn’t going down without a fight at wide receiver. The former Eastern Michigan quarterback had an outstretched, 14-yard touchdown grab in the fourth quarter.

Defense: B+

Julius Peppers didn’t look like a 34-year-old on Friday with three tackles (two for loss) and a sack. This was what the Packers were hoping for in signing the veteran — a pocket that collapses from both sides. Peppers and Clay Matthews were both effective rushing Matt Schaub. While getting held by Kevin Boothe, Peppers logged his first sack as a Packer. He flashed athleticism, dropping then attacking on a tackle of Darren McFadden for three yards. And even on one third and 10 downfield, Peppers was in the vicinity.

Through a fairly quiet summer, it was a loud night for the former Chicago Bear.

Elsewhere, Nick Perry had his best play of the preseason — a sack-fumble of Schaub. And Jayrone Elliott might have earned himself a roster spot with a batted ball and another sack, his fourth in two games. Even with Tramon Williams, Sam Shields and inside corner Casey Hayward around, it’s hard not seeing Davon House have a role on the defense.

Entering a contract year, House is playing his best football. He broke up three passes and had five tackles (four solo) Friday.

The bad? Tackling. It looked like 2011 all over again for the Packers on Maurice Jones-Drew’s 40-yard touchdown run. Micah Hyde, A.J. Hawk and Morgan Burnett all missed tackles as the veteran scampered free on third down. And beyond the starters, rookie Demetri Goodson was picked on by Schaub.

Special teams: B-

Shawn Slocum isn’t saying, but Harris sure looks like the kick returner. On the opening kickoff, he made a risky choice taking the kick out deep in his own end zone and returned it 34 yards. Micah Hyde muffed and recovered a punt, though he did have one 18-yard burst.

Mike McCarthy attempted three two-point conversions, succeeding twice.

Mason Crosby was good from 41 yards and missed from 53.