GREEN BAY – To be fair, there isn't much you can tell about an NFL team, not even the defending Super Bowl Champions, from the fourth and final exhibition game. Many regulars sit out and those who do play see only limited action.

Aaron Rodgers for example, attempted just four passes (three completions for 20 yards) while Charles Woodson, Nick Collins, A.J. Hawk, Clay Matthews, Frank Zombo, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, Jermichael Finley and James Jones were among those who watched from the sidelines Thursday as the Packers rallied to defeat Kansas City, 20-19, at Lambeau Field.

Head coach Mike McCarthy spent most of the game evaluating the talent at hand as the team prepares to make its final cuts to get to the 53-player roster limit. In order to better focus his attention on the field, McCarthy handed off the play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Joe Philbin.

"It really helps," McCarthy said. "You get a live evaluation and you're able to watch certain players and certain plays, based on what the call is. (It's) obviously something you can't do when you're calling plays."

As would be expected with most of the first team out or taking a short night, the Packers were underwhelming offensively, finishing with just 122 total yards (80 rushing, 42 passing).

Rodgers' top backup, Matt Flynn, completed just 2 of 10 attempts for 12 yards with an interception and third-stringer Graham Harrell finished the day 3-of-5 for 21 yards.

The Packers won the game thanks to their defense, which despite allowing 408 yards, was opportunistic. Both Matt Cassel and his backup, Tyler Palko, were intercepted and Green Bay forced three fumbles which lead to a pair of Mason Crosby field goals.

In all, the defense was on the field for 86 plays, which was more than enough to make an impression on McCarthy, who was looking to settle a few positions.

"I was very impressed with our defense," McCarthy said. "Frankly, (I) made a big deal about it in the locker room. I thought it was a grind-it-out type of victory with the turnovers and the way they battled all the way down to the last play. I'm very proud of our young group."

What did McCarthy see? Plenty – at least enough to make the final roster decisions, which have to be made by 5 p.m. Saturday.

"I think this is exactly what we needed," McCarthy said. "It will give us the final evaluation we need to make decisions on Saturday."

So'oto impresses: Vic So'oto, an undrafted free agent out of BYU, has been one of the most pleasant surprises of training camp and his effort Thursday night may have locked up a spot on the final roster with his effort

So'oto finished with three tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a 33-yard interception return for a touchdown – which he capped off with a "Lambeau Leap."

"I think Vic played outstanding tonight," McCarthy said. "He's stacked two excellent performances back-to-back. That's what you're looking for on your football team and anybody that's trying to make your football team."

In 13 starts at defensive end with the Cougars last season, So'oto recorded 11.5 tackles for a loss and five sacks. The 6-foot-3, 263-pound So'oto, who ended up in Green Bay when his wife picked the Packers' offer over those from Arizona and Miami.

"I think I did as much as I could," So'oto said. "I can't change anything. It's already done and let the chips fall where they may. It's not up to me at this point, and I'm excited to even be in the conversation to make the 53-man roster."

Grant makes some noise: Running back Ryan Grant, who is believed to be facing a diminished role during the regular season thanks to the emergence of James Starks, ran for 23 yards on the Packers' first play of the night.

He finished the evening with 31 yards on four carries, bringing his preseason total to 83 yards on 18 carries.

"They told me we were just going to run it, run it, run it," Grant said. "It did feel good. We were able to move the ball and do some things, especially in different personnel groupings ... I'm glad we were able to get it in and then we were able to get Aaron off the field."

Up next: The Packers will have a short week to prepare for their season opener Thursday at Lambeau against New Orleans.

Rodgers says the team is ready for the challenge.

"We just get started right away," the defending Super Bowl MVP said. "We have already done a lot of our preparation for New Orleans and just keep that going. It will be one of those weeks where it will be exciting to get to the game because there has been so much lead-up to it.

"We have seen a lot of Saints tape already, so we're excited to get to that game and get it played."