A strong showing by Love is imperative for Packers
By GERY WOELFEL
The Green Bay Packers haven’t exactly fared well against the Detroit Lions the last two seasons.
In fact, the Packers came up short in three of their four regular-season games.
There are multiple reasons why the Packers could only muster one victory against their NFC North Division rival in that span.
But the biggest one is probably this: Jordan Love’s erratic play.
In the Packers’ sole triumph in those four encounters against the men from Motown, Love was sensational.
In that game, on Nov. 23, 2023, Love completed 22 of 32 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns. His passer rating was glowing 125.5.
But Love struggled to replicate that type of game in the three other meetings with the Lions, who won all those games.
Here a recap on those four games and how Love performed in them:
2023 season
Sept. 28
At Green Bay
Lions 34, Packers 20
This game was never close. The Lions took a commanding 27-3 lead at halftime and never looked back.
Love was 23 of 36 for 246 yards and threw a touchdown pass. But he also threw two interceptions and wound up with a poor 69.9 passer rating.
Nov. 23
At Detroit
Packers 29-22
As noted earlier in this story, Love was on top of his game and came out firing. He connected with Jayden Reed on a 10-yard touchdown pass and with Tucker Kraft on a 9-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter.
Unlike the first game of the 2023 season against the Lions, the Packers dominated the first half and took a 23-6 halftime advantage.
2024 season
Nov. 3
At Green Bay
Lions 24, Packers 14
On the surface, Love’s numbers were good: 22 of 39 for 273 yards.
But he didn’t throw a touchdown pass and had a costly turnover when one of his passes was picked off, one that resulted in a 27-yard touchdown return by Detroit safety Kerby Joseph.
Love’s passer rating was a sub-par 69.7.
Lover’s counterpart, Jared Goff, finished with an excellent 109.3 passer rating.
Dec. 5
At Detroit
Lions 34, Packers 31
Love’s passer rating was much better than the one he had the month before at 111.7.
But he finished with just 206 yards through the air with one touchdown. His showing paled in comparison to Goff’s. The latter finished with three touchdown passes and 283 yards.
The Packers tied the game at 31-31 with 3:38 remaining on a 31-yard field goal by Brandon McManus, only to see Goff lead the Lions into scoring position. Jake Bates then delivered on a 35-yard field goal as time expired.
If the Packers expect to stick with the Lions or even tame them before another sellout crowd at Lambeau Field on Sunday, Love has to bring his A-Game.
It’s that simple.
WHAT THE ODDSMAKERS ARE PREDICTING: Packers by 2 points
PREDICTION: Lions 27, Packers 24.
