Packers’ Matt LaFleur makes huge Jordan Love statement after earlier interception problem
It was said back when the Green Bay Packers entered their Week 10 bye that quarterback Jordan Love had an interception problem after he tossed 10 picks over his first seven starts of the season.
Love has since recorded eight touchdown passes and only one interception across five starts en route to helping the Packers get to 10-4 ahead of their upcoming “Monday Night Football” home game versus the 5-9 New Orleans Saints.
While speaking with reporters on Thursday, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur shared a warning for the rest of the league now that Love isn’t dealing with the knee and groin injuries that impacted him earlier this fall.
“This is the best ball he’s played,” LaFleur said about Love, ESPN’s Rob Demovsky shared. “Just when I look at all the little things…in terms of his ability to manipulate the pocket when he’s under duress, getting the ball to his checkdowns, or whatever it may be, I think he’s playing at a really high level.”
Mike Spofford of Packers.com noted that the club is a win away from securing a berth in the upcoming postseason tournament. Last January, Love guided Green Bay to an impressive wild-card win at the Dallas Cowboys before the Packers nearly stunned the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round.
According to ESPN stats, Love began Friday ranked seventh in the NFL among qualified players with a 66.4 adjusted QBR and 12th with a 98.5 passer rating for the season. Across 12 games, he passed for 23 touchdowns and 11 picks.
“I think a lot of it is just decision-making, just being smarter when I have the ball in my hands, understanding that…we win a lot of games when we take care of the ball,” Love said about eliminating an issue that had some fans worried ahead of Thanksgiving. “So I think the defense is doing a great job of generating those turnovers, but it all starts on offense, just being able to play a clean game and take care of the ball. But it’s definitely been a focus, just making smarter decisions with it.”
As of Friday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Packers as massive 14-point favorites over the Saints. Assuming Green Bay takes care of business, the NFC North club could make things difficult again for fellow playoff teams next month.