How can you not be romantic about football? That’s a famous Aaron Rodgers line, but it applies to what happened to the Green Bay Packers playing against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Jordan Love‘s first game at Lambeau Field as a starting quarterback couldn’t have been more chaotic.
The Packers faced adversity. They were missing their four most talented offensive players outside of the QB. They also had a poor special teams performance, and several penalties and mistakes from a young offense. Still, Love had an appropriately calm demeanor and a strong will. He showed all that, plus terrific playmaking ability, as Green Bay secured their second win of the season in dramatic fashion. They scored 18 points in 15 minutes to complete the largest fourth-quarter comeback in franchise history.
For three quarters, everything that could go wrong did. The defense wasn’t terrible from a statistical perspective, but it was situationally bad. Special teams gave up a touchdown return and committed several penalties. And speaking of yellow flags, they were the theme for the offense: false starts, illegal formations, holding, offensive pass interference. The receivers frequently dropped passes, too, especially Jayden Reed. All those factors made it impossible to be as efficient on offense as the Packers had been in the first two games, even in the loss to the Atlanta Falcons. When Love arm-punted for his first interception of the season, everything seemed lost.
But then the offense clicked. There were several reasons for that. First, they diminished A.J. Dillon’s share, going with Patrick Taylor for the rest of the game. Taylor isn’t an amazing runner either, but he’s more versatile, a better pass protector, and allowed Green Bay’s passing offense to be more explosive. LaFleur called a more aggressive version of the offense, putting the team on Love’s shoulders. All of a sudden, there was life at Lambeau. The momentum shifted. Love started to throw darts and show his potential as a runner. The team reeled off a sequence of strong drives.
Love’s attitude was impressive but not surprising. He has what it takes, mentally, to be a franchise quarterback.
“Whether it was in college and in his time here, through all the ups and downs that he’s had, he’s maintained a very steady, even-keeled approach,” general manager Brian Gutekunst told Packers.com during the week. “And I think that helps him. His routine helps him get through those games. Hopefully that will serve him as well as we get into this season.”
His confidence allowed Matt LaFleur to be confident too.
“You never quite know until they get out there,” the coach said before the game. “But the thing that’s been so impressive to me is just how he’s played in terms of the poise that he’s shown, the confidence.”
LaFleur attempted a couple of fourth downs and went for a two-point conversion down by eight. Some plays worked, some didn’t, but that’s not the main point. The coaching staff showed that they trust the players, and that’s important for a young unit. With that confidence in mind, they marched the field three times in a quarter, getting a field goal and two touchdowns to overcome a big deficit against an experienced and well-coached team.
“I always want to be that guy that guys can look at and never seem flustered,” Love stressed after the win. “Never see it on my face that things aren’t going right on the field. I feel like that’s how you have to be — never too high, never too low, and I think that helps in these situations.”
Even without Christian Watson, Green Bay’s secondary receiving weapons showed up. Romeo Doubs had five catches and a touchdown. Reed made mistakes but averaged 21 yards per reception in three catches. Tight end Luke Musgrave had six receptions, and Samori Toure didn’t appear on the stat sheet but had an important two-point conversion. Dontayvion Wicks also had four receptions. That showed Love’s ability to elevate players around him and distribute the ball as it’s supposed to be within the offensive scheme.
The feeling after the game was amazing for the Packers. It was an important win because the team faces the Detroit Lions on Thursday and could very well be 1-3 after four weeks. But it’s much more than that. It’s a win that gives the offense confidence to progress for the rest of the season. Ups and downs are to be expected, especially when so many talented players aren’t playing. But the attitude of the entire offense was promising. And it was possible because they followed their new leader.
“I go down there before we take a drive and (Jordan Love) is talking to all the guys and encouraging everybody,” LaFleur mentioned after the game. “Those guys — they’re going to fight for him. I think everybody in that locker room is going to fight for Jordan Love.”
Jordan Love is a real leader. It’s still early to be sure how good he will be, but he has what it takes to be a real difference-maker as the future of the franchise.
