THREE THINGS TO WATCH
1. GET JULIUS GOING
A broken hand suffered during last year’s preseason forced Julius Thomas to miss the team’s first four games and limited his effectiveness early on. Thomas averaged just 27.8 receiving yards with one touchdown over his first five games before ripping off four consecutive games with a score. Building a stronger connection with quarterback Blake Bortles should allow Thomas to be an over-the-middle option that augments the team’s outside receivers.
2. NEXT MAN UP
The Packers gambled by releasing Pro Bowl left guard Josh Sitton eight days ago and choosing to insert former undrafted free agent Lane Taylor.