5 Takeaways From Texans 22 - 24 Packers: Love Channels His Inner Favre
Comparisons to Brett Favre are not an insult to Jordan Love.
By markoldacres
Love channels his inner Favre
For better and for worse, Jordan Love is a gunslinger.
The comparisons to Brett Favre have grown and become more apt ever since the current Packers QB donned a Favre jersey before their week four matchup with the Vikings, a game which he ended with four touchdowns and three interceptions.
His performance versus the Texans was also Favre-like, as Love fired three touchdown passes but also two picks.
Matt LaFleur encouraged the media to ease up on the Favre comparisons after Sunday’s game, but it is not supposed to be an insult. Favre was an incredible player, who also took a lot of risks. Love is built the same way.
He now leads the NFL in interceptions (8) despite only playing four games, but is also tied for first in touchdown passes with 15.
Love’s first pick on Sunday was arguably just a smart play by the Texans defense, but his second was a head-scratcher, a needless throw into traffic on first down.
But without that willingness to rip the ball into tight windows, Love would not have pulled off his first touchdown pass of the day, a bullet to Tucker Kraft over the middle of the field.
It was far from a perfect performance from Love, but he showed real growth in calmly leading the Packers down the field for a field goal which won the game. Two-minute drills are something he has struggled with in the past, often forcing throws before it is necessary.
While the interceptions can be frustrating, they do not make him a bad player. Love is a great quarterback, he is just more Favre than Rodgers.
Jeff Hafley is legit
It is time for Hafley to get some national recognition for the job he has been doing in his first seven games as an NFL defensive coordinator.
Despite the early struggles his defensive front has endured in getting pressure with four, Hafley has consistently found solutions to be able to generate pressure without making the back end vulnerable.
His defense is now in the top ten for fewest points allowed, and still leads the league in turnovers.
The accusation had been leveled at Hafley that his unit was too reliant on takeaways and that this would not sustain. The Packers defense dominated the Texans offense on Sunday, and they did it without a single turnover.
16 of the 22 points they allowed came off turnovers, with the Texans set up inside the Packers 20 yard line on multiple occasions. The defense essentially held CJ Stroud and company down for 60 minutes.
His final stat line was 10 of 21 for 86(!!) yards and zero touchdowns. His passer rating was just 58.8.
It was the first time in his NFL career he completed less than half his passes and failed to throw a touchdown in a game he finished. In short; it was the worst game of his career.
Hafley’s defense plays with aggression and energy, and is bringing the most out of the likes of Eric Wilson, previously just a special teams player, who is making plays consistently when given the opportunity on defense. He had two sacks on Sunday.
The Packers need to make the most of Hafley while they have him, because he might be an NFL head coaching candidate before too long.
McManus signing pays early dividends
The signing of Brandon McManus came with controversy, rightfully so given the things he has been accused of. Without knowing what happened, it is impossible to assume guilt or innocence.
Would it have been nice if the Packers did not feel the need to make this signing, because they already have a competent kicker who has not been accused of sexual assault, whether he did it or not? Absolutely.
However you want to feel about his presence on the team, it is completely justified. From a cold, calculated, roster building perspective, Green Bay has already been vindicated in not settling and bringing in a proven commodity at kicker.
His extra points were uneventful in the right way, and he was able to make the game-winning, 45-yard field goal twice, after the Texans called timeout to negate his first attempt.
If it were Brayden Narveson or Anders Carlson in the same position, the Packers might be 4-3 now instead of 5-2.
McManus has been a consistently good NFL kicker for a long time, and would not have been available if not for his legal situation. Hopefully the situation is resolved and the Packers can move forward, not having to worry about their kicker blowing the game on a weekly basis.
Punt return problems
While the punter and kicker did their jobs well on Sunday, this is hardly a perfect special teams unit.
Both Keisean Nixon and Jayden Reed botched returns on Sunday, with Nixon backing away from a punt he should've caught, leading to the ball striking Corey Ballentine, resulting in a turnover, and Reed catching a ball which would have gone into the end zone for a touchback.
In an ideal world, it would be nice to remove Reed from returns. He is too valuable to the offense and has not been especially productive as a returner.
The problem is that while Nixon is an elite kickoff returner, he has not proven to be a reliable punt returner either, specifically due to his decision making.
It is hard for a coordinator to legislate for individual mistakes, but ultimately, Rich Bisaccia’s unit is still not up to snuff after a lot of money and resources has been invested in it.
Sharing the touchdown love
Love’s three touchdown tosses went to three different players on Sunday, further illustrating the depth of quality they have on offense.
Two of the three brought especially warm feelings, with Dontayvion Wicks rebounding from a tough couple of weeks to haul in a 30-yard touchdown pass, and Josh Jacobs finally securing his first NFL receiving score in his sixth season.
Romeo Doubs also had an impressive day, catching eight passes for 94 yards, including some strong-handed grabs to bring in difficult passes.
On a day when Jayden Reed was unusually quiet, the Packers were able to spread the ball around and scavenge enough points to get the job done.
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Mark Oldacres is a sports writer from Birmingham, England and a Green Bay Packers fan. You can follow him on twitter at @MarkOldacres
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Comments (82)
T7Steve
October 21, 2024 at 07:52 am
Didn't Love promise Josh Jacobs he'd end his receiving TD drought? It actually was just Josh's determination that got him into the endzone, but it was a good relief pass that Love checked down to.
Untylu1968
October 21, 2024 at 08:05 am
That was one of the best play calls of the day! He marched in untouched..
Untylu1968
October 21, 2024 at 08:08 am
Is anyone available to do a wellness check on stockholder? He has to be ready to burst, waiting on a Packers loss and a Jets win.. GO PACK GO!!
LLCHESTY
October 21, 2024 at 08:23 am
It's all Gutey's fault!!
** If this is instantly down voted Stockholder is fine. 🤣
Savage57
October 21, 2024 at 08:24 am
Perfect.
Success is not an option with that guy.
dobber
October 21, 2024 at 10:21 am
Uh oh
@Kumps76
October 21, 2024 at 10:49 am
All is well here, which
@Kumps76
October 21, 2024 at 10:49 am
Which means he’s outta here for now, I reckon.
LLCHESTY
October 21, 2024 at 08:24 am
It seems like these days Rodgers is more Favre than Rodgers.
Leatherhead
October 21, 2024 at 08:27 am
So we didn't stuff the run, and we were -3 on turnovers, and yet we won. How does that fit into your overall theory? Now, if you realized that we won this game in the air....where most games are won....it would make sense. But if you're going to cling to this "stuff the run" stuff, you're never going to see what's completely obvious.
Look around the league. It's a passing league. Stuffing the run really isn't nearly as important as you seem to think it is.
Bitternotsour
October 21, 2024 at 08:43 am
interestingly enough, winning the score battle is more indicative of success than controlling any other statistic.
murf7777
October 21, 2024 at 10:50 am
I agree, it’s important to be able to do it when it counts. I told a friend who complained about how many yards rushing Houston got. I explained What’s important is that they only allowed 200 yards. Would you rather they have 300 yards but only 80 yards rushing? He got my point. They made Stroud look like a non-drafted QB, which is amazing D.
Leatherhead
October 21, 2024 at 12:06 pm
murf, this is what makes me have to take meds....
If a QB throws 40 times, for a 7yards/attempt average, that's going to be 280 yards. If a RB runs 40 times for a 5yards/attempt average, that'll be 200 yards.
Yet, for a reason I am unable to fully fathom, people seem to believe it's preferable to give up air yards v. ground yards. Most yards in the NFL are passing yards, and most TDs are passing TDs, yet giving up 280 instead of 200 is fine, because air yards don't count as much as ground yards, or something.
This week, we'll play Jacksonville. Lawrence averages about 7.5 yards/attempt. and the two RBs are averaging 5.5 yards/touch.
LLCHESTY
October 21, 2024 at 05:03 pm
The Texans averaged 4.1 yards per attempt and 4.3 yards a carry so I guess Hafley really screwed up by not focusing on stuffing the run.
Your refusal to put things into context is almost as bad as your Amari Rodgers>Romeo Doubs and Jordan Morgan>Rasheed Walker takes.
Leatherhead
October 21, 2024 at 07:54 pm
Those are the adjusted figures. Still, it was an impressive focus on negating the pass. No, Hafley didn't screw up, but YOU have constantly advocated for stuffing the run. We didn't, and we won.
You know damn well that most yards come in the air, most TDs come in the air, most big plays come in the air, but you go ahead and keeping chanting "Stuff the Run".
dobber
October 22, 2024 at 10:29 am
Not to be overly contrarian, but I'd like to see the W/L stats over the last 25 years or so for teams that surrender 280 yard passing days v. 200 yd team (not just individual) rush days. I suspect there are more wins v. the passing stat than vs. the rushing stat. I think the thing we're not talking about for rushing is that it tends to keep the clock running, shortens games, and limits possessions. It changes the complexion of games and puts pressure on an opponent to be efficient, offensively.
I think the bottom line vs. the run or vs. the pass is that your defense needs to get stops when the opportunity arises. It's hard to stop teams on 3rd and 4 or less...it keeps the run in play and the short passing game is so effective these days that those are pretty make-able. Anything more than 3rd and 4 is a passing situation and it starts to limit what your defense needs to prep for. For me, it's less about how your opponent is churning out yards and more about whether your defense creates down and distance opportunities and then makes good on them.
murf7777
October 22, 2024 at 09:22 pm
I agree Dobber and Packers did a great job keeping them in 3rd and long.
LLCHESTY
October 21, 2024 at 01:41 pm
There's always outliers. The Texans also didn't stuff the run.
Since 2005 teams that are +1 in turnovers win 68% of the time, +2 at 82%, +3 in turnovers have won 92% of games.
Hafley must be your hero now hunh? No turnovers and still had a great day?
Leatherhead
October 21, 2024 at 07:59 pm
It was an impressive show, all in all. Despite being repeatedly put in a bad position, they held on and kept Houston to 22.
My heroes are dead.
As to the turnover differentials you mention, I've seen studies that shows how your odds drop. One turnover, oddly, doesn't usually have a big impact. but that second one drops you under 40%, and three turnovers puts you at under 25%. Four turnovers is a 90% failure rate.
I think total number of turnovers is a better measure than differential, because it's independent of what your opponent is doing.
Starrbrite
October 21, 2024 at 10:55 pm
Yep—more farve—but a little of Arod
Leatherhead
October 21, 2024 at 08:25 am
Favre had only 13 picks the year we won the Super Bowl. It was his best year in that regard. In other years, where that total was higher, or much higher, we didn't do much in the playoffs. You cannot win playoff games if you're going to have multiple turnovers against good teams.
Love has a lot of confidence in his arm, that's for sure. He reminds me of the saying about pilots: There are old pilots, and bold pilots, but no old, bold pilots. Same with QBs. Hopefully, Love will return to the more cautious guy we had playing for us last year.
This end-of-game drive that set up the winning FG....very similar to the situation we had against the 49ers in the playoffs last year. Time on the clock to get into FG position. Against SF, it was a turnover; yesterday, it was a successful game-winning drive.
Aiyuk is out and the curse of the Super Bowl Loser is on the 49ers. Hutchinson is out. This is the inevitable attrition that occurs. Packers, right now, have Wyatt out with injury, and Walker on concussion protocol. We've done a good job of keeping the players healthy so far.
dobber
October 21, 2024 at 10:24 am
"Hopefully, Love will return to the more cautious guy we had playing for us last year."
The first pick was a bad decision--likely didn't see the DB coming in from the boundary--and a tipped ball.
Second pick was identified by Oppy: he went back to the well to Watson where he got the TD last week. Houston was ready for it.
Oppy
October 21, 2024 at 12:22 pm
A point I'm trying to drive home about the Watson TD a few weeks ago vs. the Watson INT yesterday:
Both throws were poor decisions that shouldn't be made unless the situation is dire and there is no other choice.
Both throws were into very unfavorable coverage. Yesterday's INT was actually thrown into more favorable coverage than Love's (insanely perfect) throw for a TD two weeks ago.
It's not that Houston was 'more ready for it' per se; it's more the fact that neither coverage was giving the QB a high percentage, safe window to throw into.. The play is a fine play design, the decision to throw to Watson in EITHER case was a poor choice based on the look the defense was giving. Need to either look to a different option, throw it away, or take the sack.
When the results are positive, it's easy for a QB to believe he can do it every time. You can't. NFL DB's are pros, too.
murf7777
October 21, 2024 at 10:58 am
I have to disagree about Love’s play being cautious last year. I remember thinking, if he keeps throwing into coverage like last year it won’t end very well. It was one reason I wanted to wait till mid season this year to give him all the money. Last year, he got away with it as the ball didn’t bounce the defenders way or they just didn’t catch it. This year has been a different story.
That said, I’ve seen enough of him to feel he is going to be great and possibly have a HOF career. Yes, he’s a gunslinger, not quite as much as Favre, but close. BUT, Favre also took us to two SB’s while getting MVP 3 years in a row. I’d take that.
One other note about LOVE, he has thrown way more TD’s over the length of his games over Starr, Favre & Rodgers. And only Rodgers is even close to the number. I realize for Starr and Favre’s beginning of his career there were different rules, but he still has thown quite a bit more than Rodgers and Rodgers had a very good veteran WR/TE group. Not having to play with rookies and 2nd year players in year 1.
LLCHESTY
October 21, 2024 at 05:18 pm
There was definitely some luck involved in his late season heroics last year. That throw to Doubs in the Chiefs game immediately comes to mind.
When you attempt more deep throws you're going to have more interceptions. Love's yards per attempt is 13th but his yards per target could be much higher and his lower completion percentage dragging the attempt average down. I still think he has some technical issues that effect his efficiency as much as his big play mentality. Improve the one and reduce the other a smidge and he's a top 5 QB.
Oppy
October 21, 2024 at 12:05 pm
Apparently, 2024 is going to be known as my 'broken record' tour.
"Love will return to the more cautious guy we had playing for us last year."
Love wasn't more cautious in 2023. He was more successful and/or luckier than he has been thus far in 2024.
This is why it's important to understand the difference between assessing the results and assessing the process.
Same types of decisions. Different outcomes.
LambeauPlain
October 21, 2024 at 08:33 am
Love does have 8 INTs...that does compare to another QB right now, but not Favre.
Mahomes has 8 too. Rodgers has 7. Cousins has 7. And NONE of them has the 15 TDs Love has. They have 6, 10, and 10 TDs respectively.
Matt is devising game plans to attack the entire defense with his prolific team of receivers. Yesterday Jordan's 24 completions, 3 TDs were shared between 8 receivers.
Expect some mistakes by both the young QB and younger receivers...just make sure successes far outnumber the mistakes. They are. And he has a coach who insists on discipline, but also wants his QB to make decisions and LEAD the team. Starr had coach like that.
After 26 games, I am very bullish on the career track of Jordan Love.
Favre the gunslinger, Rodgers the cautious surgeon...and now Love the opportunistic field general using all his troops to attack the opponent.
Slim11
October 21, 2024 at 08:48 am
This last comment…” Favre the gunslinger, Rodgers the cautious surgeon...and now Love the opportunistic field general using all his troops to attack the opponent.” is telling and you mentioned a couple of lines before.
Love is channeling “Favre the gunslinger, Rodgers the cautious surgeon” AND Starr, the opportunistic field general. Bart Starr used all his weapons and, IMO, Love is getting better in doing so every game.
dobber
October 21, 2024 at 10:26 am
Agreed: after a couple seasons where INTs were about as rare as we've ever seen, they're way up this year league-wide. Certainly there are plenty of young QBs in starting roles, but as you note: the affliction is well into the senior, experienced QBs, too. Either teams and QBs are taking more chances, defensive coaches are catching up, or both.
LLCHESTY
October 21, 2024 at 05:25 pm
IIRC there was a stat last year that around 50% of the passes in the league were thrown two yards or less. It could be coaches trying to open things up a bit more. They know having an explosive play on a drive basically doubles your chances to score.
dobber
October 23, 2024 at 07:39 am
MM always used to say it was a league of chunk plays.
greengold
October 21, 2024 at 08:42 am
Perfect way to welcome a new Kicker onto the team: "Here you go, son. Bring home a winner." Welcome to Green Bay, Brandon McManus.
THAT was a weird game. Half of it I sat wondering if we were down one score or two, only to look up and realize we were still up by 2 pts. Lombardi had a shit ton of win uglies. The mark of a great team is when they can beat a good team while not playing your best.
Next.
Oh.... I LOVE this so much that I can't stand it: "He now leads the NFL in interceptions (8) despite only playing four games, but is also tied for first in touchdown passes with 15." Some starting QB in GB is clearly looking to win football games and a Super Bowl. How refreshing. MVP be damned...
Hafley? D??? F yes.
Will the real Rich Bisaccia please stand up? Please stand up. Please stand up...
Untylu1968
October 21, 2024 at 10:05 am
I am in no way defending Rich, but just speaking as a former high-school basketball coach. You can pound your philosophy and the way you want to execute a game plan into your players' heads, for days on end, but there's always a couple hammerheads that can't get outta their own way. Nixon and Alexander are those two HH's for me. I'm hoping Reeds blunder was a lesson learned, not to be repeated..
dobber
October 21, 2024 at 10:27 am
" there's always a couple hammerheads that can't get outta their own way. "
Well stated. Some guys just have a tendency to veer left at inopportune times.
dobber
October 21, 2024 at 10:28 am
"Perfect way to welcome a new Kicker onto the team: "Here you go, son. Bring home a winner."
Any kicker who doesn't want to be in that position won't last long in the league...probably won't make it to the NFL in the first place.
NFLfan
October 21, 2024 at 08:55 am
I'm more concerned about Keisean Nixon as a punt returner. He does not seem to have a complete understanding of the rules.
I don't worry about Jordan Love.
NJmike15
October 21, 2024 at 08:58 am
Could someone please explain to me why the Packers did not go for 2 points earlier in the game. They were still behind going for the 1 extra point but could have tied it going for 2. I don't get it. Was it because it was to early for that attempt?
T7Steve
October 21, 2024 at 09:31 am
Maybe because either way it didn't take the field goal out of the equation for the opponent? If it forces them to go for a TD verses a field goal, he'd try it?
GregC
October 21, 2024 at 09:56 am
Wrong. The Packers were AHEAD when they scored that touchdown. The decision was whether to take a nearly certain 2-point lead with the kick or to try for a 3-point lead and risk leading by only one. Midway through the 3rd quarter, that's a borderline call. I agreed with kicking the extra point because I expected there to be a lot more scoring, rather than a defensive struggle, with each team only scoring 3 points the rest of the way. What I liked about the 21-19 lead was that the Packers could have gotten a 9-point lead with a TD and another extra point kick, making it a two-score game.
dobber
October 21, 2024 at 10:35 am
I can see where it seems logical to go for 2 and make it a 3-point game--given the PAT really doesn't change the differential--but I don't think they expected that to be the end of the scoring, either. With that much time to go and the fact that they were really dictating play in the second half, I think I kick it, too, and I'm someone who's generally in favor of more 2 pt attempts.
It turns out that 2 pt that Houston missed was a defining play, too. They make that at the end of the first half, and I think that second half plays out very differently. It's another case where I think I'd kick it, too, oddly enough. In the end, a PAT there doesn't shift things dramatically, either.
NJmike15
October 21, 2024 at 11:13 am
Thanks for the comments and correction.
Oppy
October 21, 2024 at 09:12 am
Its a crying shame the only thing that gets mentioned today about Eric Wilson's performance is that he tallied 2 sacks.. his game was so much more than two sacks.
Wilson and E. Williams were absolute terrors on the field yesterday.
dobber
October 21, 2024 at 10:35 am
Agreed. Wilson played hard and was allowed to cover a lot of field...he seemed to be in on everything.
murf7777
October 21, 2024 at 11:05 am
I agree about Wilson, but Cooper deserves the credit for one of his sacks and TFL. Cooper blocked the OL that was responsible for Wilson and because of that Wilson ran through the line untouched. ON the TFL, Cooper was first in by pushing his blocker into the RB’s lane which directed right into a waiting Wilson.
WestCoastPackerBacker
October 21, 2024 at 11:57 am
The stat goes to Wilson cuz he still has to be in the right place and has to make the tackle. They ran a beautiful stunt to get Wilson through the line untouched and take down Stroud.
Oppy
October 21, 2024 at 12:10 pm
Cooper on that play- doing exactly what AJ Hawk's job was for the entirety of his career in Capers' 3-4 defense.. but most Packers' fans didn't appreciate it.
Leatherhead
October 21, 2024 at 12:21 pm
Players who line up and do workmanlike jobs are not appreciated here. Not AJ Hawk, not Blake Martinez, not Dean Lowry, not Eric Wilson. It's all about splash plays.
I agree about Wilson,and Williams. They'll maybe never be all pros or get a second deal, and they'll almost certainly make some bad plays at times, but on balance, they'll be solid pieces for you.\
Oppy
October 21, 2024 at 12:47 pm
Unless something derails- and I know it's way too early to make any predictions- I would assume Evan Williams is going to be a guy who is in green and gold for a long, long time.
LeotisHarris
October 21, 2024 at 04:21 pm
"Players who line up and do workmanlike jobs are not appreciated here. Not AJ Hawk, not Blake Martinez, not Dean Lowry..."
As done on Defector, let's remember some guys:
..not Dave Roller, not Carl Barzilauskas, not Derrel Gofourth, not Alphonso Carreker, not Jim Gueno...
pantz_bURp
October 21, 2024 at 09:50 am
I don't get nervous anymore. Before yesterday's game even started...I just knew we would be all white.
Whelan and dealin': now, that guy is so much more than just a punter. Keep him around please. Our D, was playing Texas Hold'em (to under 25 points).
Packers Official Unofficial mascot,
Pantz "we ain't folding" Burp
stockholder
October 21, 2024 at 10:00 am
Fist he's Rodgers. Now he's Favre.
I get you want to compare him to somebody.
But let's be honest.
Everyone tried to compare Starr's replacements to him.
So let's just let Love, be Love.
That way somebody can compare their QB to him.
Someone who makes the most out of opportunity.
And Not the guy who selected him.
I thought Romeo had a great game.
When I saw him celebrating the packers scoring.
Someone is Staying Focused.
All will be forgiven.
greengold
October 21, 2024 at 11:02 am
I don't even know you anymore...
LLCHESTY
October 21, 2024 at 01:45 pm
Hey Hey Hey! No one is fisting anyone on this site!
Coldworld
October 21, 2024 at 10:04 am
The first interception yesterday was a good play by the CB and a lucky bounce. I have t rewatched it, but the issue was that the D had effectively precluded other options. Could he have thrown it away? Yes, but still I don’t see it as a bad call per se. I would like to see Wicks coming back to those balls more in those situations. Thats something he needs to learn: contrast with Doubs. That throw was a Rodgers staple that his receivers had a big part in making work because they knew to attack the ball.
The second interception was a bad pass under pressure. Shorter/lower and that’s a good call. That happens. I think the mistake is in just not pulling it down under pressure in that case or simply throwing away. Love will take more risks than Rodgers, but I’m not convinced that the net outcome isn’t positive as a result.
I am getting a bit tired of the Farve was rubbish narrative. He wasn’t, he was extremely good. That’s why he’s a first ballot hall of famer. He just wasn’t Rodgers and perhaps some here don’t remember him as well or never saw us during his time here. I don’t mind being more of a gunslinger. I do care about whether that gets us more wins than losses.
It’s also failed memory in the sense that Rodgers threw 31 interceptions in his first 3 seasons as starter. The real conservatism kicked in after. Rodgers ascribed that to just learning the odds through experience. Love is a season and a half in. He is likely still learning. Unlike Favre, who played by instinct not schematic study and mastery, Love seems a more studious type in the early Rodgers mold. Favre’s interceptions went up as he got more confident.
In the end we’ve lost games through the traits of both Favre and Rodgers when it mattered and when we perhaps should not have. Love falling in between may be a blessing.
dobber
October 21, 2024 at 10:40 am
"I am getting a bit tired of the Farve was rubbish narrative. He wasn’t, he was extremely good. That’s why he’s a first ballot hall of famer. He just wasn’t Rodgers and perhaps some here don’t remember him as well or never saw us during his time here"
It wasn't that long ago, but there have been several rules changes favoring WRs and QBs that have impacted how QBs play and how offenses are designed since then. He was a product of the game of his time. Who knows what he would look like in today's NFL.
Coldworld
October 21, 2024 at 12:59 pm
Don’t you have a hunch that Favre would play it (and life) exactly the same way? He didn’t care about the Xs and Os, he just went out and played on instinct. The rules might help his record, but he’d still be the same guy I think.
murf7777
October 22, 2024 at 09:26 pm
Good Analysis, coldworld.
Cheddarhed
October 21, 2024 at 10:40 am
And Anders Carlson missed a PAT for San Fran
Alberta_Packer
October 21, 2024 at 11:40 am
Then coupled with the worst onside kick attempt I've ever seen in the NFL (from Wishnowsky) - I think the 49ers have serious kicking issues. It will cost them games.
cdoemel
October 21, 2024 at 11:47 am
Ouch!
dobber
October 21, 2024 at 10:41 am
Another takeaway: the Packers have elevated and used a fullback two weeks running. I think that has a lot to do with Musgrave's injury, but it also may point to things they really want to do that a Josiah Deguara might have been called on in past seasons.
GregC
October 21, 2024 at 10:54 am
Actually three weeks in a row. If they want to use Andrew Beck in a game again this season, they will need to elevate him to the 53-player roster. I've seen him out there on the field. It will be interesting to see what they do. Musgrave has been the forgotten man this year, but I can't imagine they will give up on him entirely. He will be back soon and so will Marshawn Lloyd. Hard to see Beck making the roster at this point, but then, Josiah Deguara managed to stay on the roster for four years almost exclusively as a blocker, and not even a particularly good one.
cheesehead1
October 21, 2024 at 10:54 am
The D was great but need to shore up their run D. Love is a veteran now and has to play smarter. Great 2 minute drive to set up the FG. We struggled so much last year, so good to see. Kudos to Romeo, I thought he was clutch and one of the top players.
Packerpasty
October 21, 2024 at 11:23 am
Yes! Finally someone says Love is a veteran now...and he is, some still cling to the "young still learning" b.s....nah, that dont hold water...when he makes mistakes it cuz he takes chances and makes mistakes..probably always will much like he did in college but as long as he wins games its all good...but he's far from being some kind of rookie.
WestCoastPackerBacker
October 21, 2024 at 12:01 pm
Yes he's far from a rookie but a second year starter is certainly still developing. He's likely seeing defensive coordinators he hasn't seen yet in his playing career; he's being put in different situations than he's been in. He's still got some growth in him in terms of decision making and footwork.
He's not a rookie and though. he's a veteran, he's not a long-term veteran by any means. He's still a relatively young QB.
LambeauPlain
October 21, 2024 at 11:02 am
Referring to CW's comment....I lived through every Favre game. He was an extremely good QB. And fearless. And available. Always ready for battle. Love will never be Favre on the field because Brett was one of a kind.
My sense is one day future football fans will be comparing QBs to the great Jordan Love, also one of a kind.
Bitternotsour
October 21, 2024 at 11:27 am
You don't get to be a first ballot hall of famer without greatness. I assume people are down on Favre because of his desire to hurt GB, and his general douche-like post GB life. It's kind of funny, because the douche factor came for Aaron too. A different shade of douche, but douche nonetheless...
Leatherhead
October 21, 2024 at 12:26 pm
Favre, after the 3 MVPs and until we got rid of him, was a mediocre QB who turned the ball over a lot and was a liability in the playoffs. That's the last 10 years of his time here.
Don't take my word for it. Look it up.
Bitternotsour
October 21, 2024 at 02:51 pm
He had one great year with McCarthy, he was shit with Sherman, that's for sure. I think it was the year McCarthy invented the big-five package. That offense was formidable...
EricTorkelson
October 21, 2024 at 11:06 am
Love calmly lead the Packers down the field on the last drive ??? does that include two long bombs that were covered and a game saving catch by Doubs that was over his head ... PS Gunslinger is a reputation you do not want to hear your million dollar QB called.
Hafleys defense is high pressure stacking the line cause confusion, I screamed for this after watching Joe Barrys play your gaps with soft zone deep safety approach.
You got to mention Whelan as game MVP his hold on the crap snap at the end off the game was almost as impressive as his red zone punting that kept Houston on there side of the field.
It was good to see Kadeem Telfort come in for one play I want to see more of the big guy 6"7 340 he looked great in pre season, maybe play Zach Tom on the left side next year... just a thought
Leatherhead
October 21, 2024 at 12:29 pm
Since you mentioned ZachTom......when you watch the replay,he's rarely on the ground,but he was on the ground several times yesterday and was struggling in pass pro. I realize he was going against a good player, but I'm wondering if he was playing with an injury.
vin0770
October 21, 2024 at 11:16 am
The second Love interception you’d like to tell him, just knock it off! Don’t throw that one anymore.
But his best pass was like a forty yard dime he dropped over Reed’s right shoulder into his hands and he dropped it. No one has said anything about that one because it was dropped but Love did what few can do and deposited and absolute dime! So talented just knock off the clearly bull$hit decisions where the coverage has clearly declared double coverage or MORE!
murf7777
October 22, 2024 at 09:29 pm
The second INT wasn’t double coverage, yes there was a safety behind the play, but if the throw was right Watson was open. The throw was high and the safety 3=5 yards behind the play fell to him.
DragonSilk
October 21, 2024 at 11:36 am
You know your defense is having a good day when the opposing QB throws his helmet on the sidelines.
Everyone needs to slow their roll on McManus. He made 1 FG. I hope he makes many more, but I also hope he doesn't have anymore sexual assault accusations. It's not like he's running for president.
cdoemel
October 21, 2024 at 11:48 am
My biggest impression through the last 2 games is Evan Williams. The guy is flat out everywhere!
WestCoastPackerBacker
October 21, 2024 at 12:02 pm
Stopping that 2 point attempt is the difference in the final score!
Leatherhead
October 21, 2024 at 12:34 pm
I'm going to have to agree with that. He's going to be on the all-rookie team for sure. The combo of him and McKinney is the biggest difference in our defense. Last year, we had Ford and Owens.
We completely gutted and remodeled the safety room. We didn't bring any of the guys back from last year, we got a premium FA and spent a high draft pick on Bullard, then came back and got Williams and KO.
Hitting on both Bullard and Williams, plus McKinney, has us looking pretty good right now.
EricTorkelson
October 21, 2024 at 02:28 pm
Lets not forget ( A Cooper ) Leather... As far as ( all rookie team ) and being physical on contact like a good linebacker is supposed to. Also as J. Morgan continues to improve what another great draft this could be..
Leatherhead
October 21, 2024 at 07:47 pm
Agree on Cooper, but he's got to show he's a clear improvement over McDuffie or Walker, or he'll have to wait for an injury to open the door.
I'm still confused about Morgan. I thought he was our starting LT when he was drafted.
CheeseEdWest2
October 21, 2024 at 04:15 pm
Excited to see if more rooks emerge and lift the D further. What do Hopper and Ladapo have to offer?
Leatherhead
October 21, 2024 at 07:45 pm
First, I'm a huge Ed West fan. That's my kind of TE. Stay healthy, get your man blocked, catch a couple of passes every game.
Second, McKinney is going to be around for a few years. Williams, too. Cooper, Hopper, Oladapo (KO) , Wyatt, Wooden, Brooks, Van Ness, Gary, Walker. That's 11 guys that'll be around for years, developing and growing and practicing, and I'm sure I've forgotten some.
This is what an annual contender looks like. It's easier to make trades, or moves in the draft, when you have an abundance of talent, and when injuries strike, you're filling in with guys who've been with the program for a while.
Packers'Dynasties6of16-5of7-next....
October 21, 2024 at 04:40 pm
This is a very good Packer team - as was last year's team - that with the right QB should be one of those 13-3, 13-3, 13-4 Packer teams on the brink of the Super Bowl. How long before we see one of those Packer 15-1, 13-3, 13-3, 13-4, 12-4, 11-5 teams again? I will even take 11-6.
It was nice yesterday to see the Packers finally beat a winning team this season - before yesterday we had beaten the then 3 and 3 Colts, 1 and 4 Titans, 1 and 4 Rams, and 2 and 4 Cardinals.
And the Packers once again got a victory in spite of Jordan Love - once again at the top of the NFL in interceptions per pass attempt - doing more to lose the game than Jordan does to win it. Among the top 35 NFL QBs now in attempts, only Anthony Richardson, Garner Minshew, and Will Levis are throwing more interceptions per pass attempt.
When it comes to big games and big moments, the Jordan Love we will see will be the one we saw against the 49ers for the last 4 minutes of the 3rd quarter and entire 4th quarter of the Divisional Round game last year, the QB that led all of college football - FCS and FBS - in interceptions his last year of college and the QB we have been seeing each game this year and that we saw in the first half of 2023-24 - before Aaron Jones return and Lafleur scaling back Jordan's game (see Next Gen Stats pass charts for Jordan 1st half vs. 2nd half of 2023-24 - air yards significantly down as Jordan is inaccurate) saved Jordan's butt.
And that is on Gutekunst as are all these Super Bowl contender destroying moves Gutekunst has graced Packer fans with since January 2018 and before.