If you watch Jordan Love's first NFL start, in 2021, and immediately thereafter go to see what the Green Bay Packers did against the same Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night two years later, that seems like it's not the same quarterback.

That's how far Jordan Love has come into his development. Obviously, one and a half extra seasons behind Aaron Rodgers helped, but the opportunity to play, to get reps, and to react to different defensive looks are the most important factors.

In 2021, Jordan Love basic stats were 19/34 for 190 yards, a touchdown and an interception. On Sunday night, Love finished the game completing 25 of 36 passes to 267 yards, and three touchdowns — his fourth three-touchdown game of the season. More important, a big 27-19 win that puts the Packers in a solid position to fight for a playoff spot.

And Jordan Love didn't shy away from what this game meant to him. He knew how important it would be to face the Chiefs again, and how challenging it would be to face defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's electric system.

"For me, personally, I had this game circled for a long time," Love said after the win. "It was my first start, obviously I didn't play how I wanted in the first game. So being able to see these guys getting the victory is huge, it's just a great team win. Everybody just balled out."

Game reps

For Love, the real-game experience is the biggest difference, and the reason why he was able to beat a blitz-heavy defense. Back in 2021, the quarterback had one and a half seasons in the NFL, but without significant playing time. Now, he has a larger catalog of what defensive coaches can do to affect him, and how he can beat it.

"It's being able to see stuff. I've got more reps, played more football. I understand where I need to go with the ball," Love stressed. "The o-line is doing a great job just being able to pick stuff up. It's not easy when they are bringing all outs and these blitzes. But they are doing a great job giving me time, and the receivers are having the awareness needed to be open. It's definitely something that we, as a team, know it's something teams are gonna bring, we've got to execute and go out there and make sure they won't do that again."

Two years ago, even with Aaron Jones and Davante Adams on the field, the ability to execute wasn't ideal. But the Packers offense operated at a high level this time around, even facing a better version of the Chiefs defense — Kansas City entered the game as the eighth best defense by DVOA.

"Two years ago, we weren't able to pick up the blitz. I wasn't playing great, wasn't able to capitalize in those moments," the Packers QB mentioned. "Now, I think we are. From an execution standpoint, we executed a lot better tonight. We were able to put up a lot of points, which is great, which is something we didn't do in the last game (against the Chiefs), but all around is just a great team win."

Strong start

A significant in-season development for the Packers is how stronger they have started games after struggling with it early in the season. On Sunday night, the Packers scored two touchdowns in the first two drives, and controlled the game from that point on.

"It's just the mindset of everybody," Love added. "We just know that in the games we don't start fast, we're playing catch up, playing from behind sometimes. It's been working to start fast. It's just the execution of plays, guys making plays."

Now, the Packers sit at 6-6 and with a reasonably easy schedule ahead. The playoffs are not a pipe dream anymore, and Jordan Love is doing exactly what the Packers needed to see. For now and for the future.

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