What the Packers can learn from the first Jordan Love start against the Chiefs
Twenty five months ago, quarterback Jordan Love got to know that he would make his first NFL regular season start in four days. Aaron Rodgers got covid, and it was revealed that he was unvaccinated. It was Love's show, and without much time to prepare. Two years later, Love will face Patrick Mahomes, Steve Spagnuolo […]
Twenty five months ago, quarterback Jordan Love got to know that he would make his first NFL regular season start in four days. Aaron Rodgers got covid, and it was revealed that he was unvaccinated. It was Love's show, and without much time to prepare.
Two years later, Love will face Patrick Mahomes, Steve Spagnuolo and a new version of the same Kansas City Chiefs that beat the Packers 13-7 in 2021. And even though Love and the Packers offense performed poorly in Kansas City, that day yielded significant insights and lessons for everyone involved.
"I was more disappointed with myself and my staff," LaFleur said this week when asked what he took from Love's performance back then, "than any of our players in that game."
The bad
The Packers had a gameplan ready with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. When Rodgers was ruled out, LaFleur kept most of his ideas. The Chiefs defensive coordinator adjusted everything: a lot of pressure, a lot of 0 blitz. Love wasn't ready to handle it, and the Packers plan was not built to help him.
"Within plays, there are longer-developing plays, and if you can't protect, it's kind of hard to throw from your back," LaFleur said after the game. "There were a couple plays where he got out of some stuff, but I'm disappointed that we didn't deal the ball faster and call things that might show a little bit quicker for him."
As expected, it was a poor performance from Love himself. He finished the game with a 30.0 PFF grade, including a 29.2 passing grade. He was pressured 19 times. This year, even with ups and downs from Love himself and from the offensive line, the Packers have allowed 11.6 pressures per game. The quarterback's worst PFF grade of this season was 53.0 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
"It's not good enough," Love said in 2021. "We started off a little slow. I started off a little slow, personally. I got into a bit of a rhythm later, but obviously, it was too late."
When blitzed, Love completed 6 of 17 passes for 30 yards. When the Chiefs sent four rushers or fewer, Love's numbers were 13-for-17 for 160 yards.
Spagnuolo is still one of the most aggressive defensive playcallers in football. This time, with more preparation time, Matt LaFleur has to have a better plan, and Jordan Love has to be more effective to execute it.
The good
It was a first step for Jordan Love, and the situation couldn't be much harder than that. But the Packers 2020 first-round pick also showed promise. He was able to stand in the pocket to make difficult throws, and he got better throughout the game, leading a touchdown drive that ended in a score with a pass to Allen Lazard on fourth down.
"I was really proud of the way he played. He hung in there," LaFleur mentioned. "He took hits and was delivering the ball."
The playmaking ability was on display. Facing so much pressure, Love frequently was forced to escape the pocket, make off-platform throws, and create yards with his own legs. All these characteristics are more evident now, as Love has developed into a better game processor.
The Chiefs had a more talented and efficient defense now than they did two years ago. On the other hand, Love is also better and will have adequate preparation. It's going to be an interesting challenge, and it's an essential part of the Packers road to discover what they have in their new quarterback.
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