It was not the most efficient day that Packers quarterback Jordan Love has had, but it was one of his most effective. Last Thursday–Thanksgiving, of course–Love went for 234 yards on 18-for-30 passing, leading Green Bay to a clutch 31-24 win over the Lions that pushed them to 8-3-1 and kept the Chicago Bears in sight in the NFC North.
The big number, though, was the four touchdowns that Love threw, two going to Dontayvion Wicks and one each to Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. He not only threw zero interceptions but also went without a sack, something he has emphasized in his last two seasons. Love has been sacked only 17 times, and only 10 times since the Browns registered five sacks against him in Week 3.
That was enough to win Love the honor of being the NFC’s offensive player of the week for Week 13.
Jordan Love Tabbed for Player of the Week
The Packers’ quarterback was highlighted in the NFL’s official announcement, which was his second such honor this season, the first coming in Week 8 against the Steelers:
“Love carved up the rival Lions on Thanksgiving, leading the Packers to a 31-24 victory. Love racked up four touchdown passes on the day, a season best that matched a career high. He also had 234 yards on 18-of-30 passing with no interceptions and a 124.2 passer rating. This is Love’s second Player of the Week this year and the fourth of his career.”
Love has, quietly, moved up the charts in the NFL’s MVP race, which has mostly bee a two-quarterback affair between the Rams’s Matthew Stafford and second-year Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. At FanDuel, Maye (minus-125) ranks No. 1, and Stafford (plus-125) is second. But Love has moved into a tie (plus-1,600) with Dallas’s Dak Prescott for third.
Packers Were Aggressive vs. Lions
While the four touchdowns garner most attention, it should be noted that one of Love’s biggest throws was his last–a 16-yard completion to Wicks on a fourth-and-3 with 1:55 to play near midfield that allowed the Packers to ice the rest of the game and take the win.
Love said after the game that he was appreciative of the way that Packers coach Matt LaFleur had faith in him and his teammates, and the aggressiveness that the team showed all through the game.
“Matt wanted to definitely stay aggressive in this game, and we had conversations all week,” Love said. “I think it’s just the confidence he has in everybody on the offense to be able to go out there and make those plays, and it’s one of those games you gotta be aggressive. You gotta stay aggressive to go win it because we know it’s a really good offense on the other side of the ball, and you want to stay away from trying to give them the ball back.”
The Packers did not give them the ball back. And Love was rewarded for the way he executed.
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