The Green Bay Packers opened the 2015 preseason with a 22-11 win over the New England Patriots, using strong performances from all four quarterbacks and swarming depth on defense to outgun the defending Super Bowl champions at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. 

It was over when…

…rookie quarterback Brett Hundley connected with rookie running back John Crockett for a 10-yard score with under eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, giving the Packers an 11-point lead that held on for the final. 

Game Balls

Scott Tolzien: Packers quarterback coach Alex Van Pelt said Tolzien should “look the same as Aaron” Thursday night, noting his improvements as a player and within the offense. The 27-year-old backup certainly gave his best No. 12 impression. He completed 10 of his 16 passes for 102 yards and a 26-yard score to Jeff Janis, giving him a passer rating over 100.0 for the fourth time in his last five preseason games. Tolzien looked comfortable and confident in the pocket despite sometimes shaky protection, and the improvements in his arm were obvious. This was a strong start for the Packers No. 2 quarterback. 

Jayrone Elliott: The Patriots couldn’t block No. 91 after he entered the game with the second-string defense. A preseason star last August, Elliott had eight tackles, a half of a sack and one other quarterback hit. He was consistently in the backfield. But he wasn’t alone. Rookie cornerback Quentin Rollins was all over the field, and Ladarius Gunter continued his strong summer with a pick of Jimmy Garoppolo. Datone Jones used his extra snaps to register two sacks. Rookie linebacker Jake Ryan made a few flash plays. 

Ty Montgomery: The rookie looks like a natural catching kicks. His 14-yard punt return was his only true highlight on special teams, but there’s something to be said about zero mistakes for a young player in his first professional game. Expect Montgomery to be the opening day returner. Side notes: Rookie fullback Aaron Ripkowski looks like he could be a real special teams asset, and Mason Crosby made his first long extra point. 

Stat of the Game 

32: The Packers ran a ridiculous 32 plays in the first quarter alone, including 19 passing attempts from Rodgers. Mike McCarthy said pre-game that he wanted to play his starters for an entire quarter, but he couldn’t have ever expected to get 32 plays from his first-team offense. The unit was efficient moving the football, but two scoring chances ended on fourth-down misses inside the red zone. 

Other Notes

-- Davante Adams’ night was underwhelming. He made one tough catch in traffic, absorbing a big hit from behind but holding on. He caught just two of his other six targets, missing on two would-be scores. The first was just off his fingertips on a fade route, while the second came on a difficult adjustment off a scramble drill in the back of the end zone. Still, Adams has been labeled a “star.” Stars probably need to make those plays. 

-- Ha Ha Clinton-Dix looked active, as usual. The second-year safety is consistently in the right position. His biggest problem remains finishing plays. He blew up a run early but whiffed on the tackle. Later, he failed to set the edge and took an ugly tumble on New England’s long touchdown run. He could be a monster if he starts finishing. 

-- The Packers must be pleased with the debuts of cornerback Quinten Rollins and linebacker Jake Ryan. Rollins made a few strong plays on the ball and looked comfortable tackling. Fellow rookie Damarious Randall (groin) better hurry back, because No. 24 won himself some snaps Thursday night. Ryan still looks a little green, but there’s clearly something there. He was active, and often slippery getting to the football. Both youngsters put some encouraging football on tape in their first professional outing. 

-- Carl Bradford might not be long for this roster. After a redshirt year, he still looks lost. Maybe the position switch is too much for him. Too much thinking, not enough reacting. And this problem is compacted by the fact that he isn’t athletic enough to make up for it. No. 54 in space wasn’t pretty. 

-- Jeff Janis can fly, as we witnessed again during his rather easy-looking 26-yard score in the first half. He simply ran right past the New England corner. Now, the most hyped receiver in a generation must prove he can win on short and intermediete routes. Janis failed to come up with a contested throw off a short slant. His progression as a player in the Green Bay offense probably depends on him getting better in these areas. 

-- Strong night overall from all the quarterbacks, which can’t always be said in a preseason opener. The group of four completed 27 of 43 passes for 273 yards, two scores and no interceptions. Matt Blanchard completed both of his attempts, while the other three all provided big moments. You only need to think back to Graham Harrell and B.J. Coleman to remember how bad things can go at quarterback.  

-- The Packers have won their preseason opener for the first time since 2009. Green Bay goes back on the road next week, traveling to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers on Sunday afternoon. 

Zach Kruse contributes to Cheesehead TV. You can reach him on Twitter @zachkruse2 or by email at [email protected].