The NFC North saw three teams make the playoffs last season. While the Green Bay Packers went 0-4 against the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, they still fought their way into the postseason.
Jordan Love didn’t lose to either of those teams by more than 10 points last season. His 389 yard passing performance wasn’t enough against the Vikings in Week 4. With three interceptions in that game, it certainly held the team back.
Recently, ESPN’s Sportscenter crew broke down the NFC North. Entering his third year as a starter, a bold take was issued for the Packers quarterback.
Mike Tannenbaum Believes Jordan Love Will be the Best QB in the NFC North
“Jordan Love is going to be the best quarterback in the NFC North,” Tannenbaum opened with. He didn’t hesitate to put the 26-year-old above the likes of Caleb Williams, Jared Goff, and J.J. McCarthy.
Williams is coming off of a fine season with the Chicago Bears, but one that left a lot to be desired. Now that Ben Johnson was named Head Coach, things could finally be on the rise in Chicago.
Regardless, Tannenbaum continued as he called Matthew Golden the best receiver in the draft. Green Bay selected Golden at No. 23 overall. It was the first time the team selected a receiver in the first round since 2002.
He added, “Jordan Love doesn’t get sacked, he can get the ball downfield, and if he can cut back on some of these off throws and interceptions, he’ll be the best quarterback, this year, in the NFC North.”
Other Opinion’s on Love as NFC North’s QB1
Courtney Cronion agreed as she called this a “piping hot” take. She pointed out Love’s regression, which is a word that neither Love nor Matt LaFleur want to use about the Packers quarterback. His injury plagued 2024 season didn’t help, though he still played in 15 games.
“Same offense, same play-caller, upgraded pass catchers. You’re probably not going to see the receivers drop the ball 25 times next season. You have an All-Pro running back in your backfield and an offensive line that improved in the interior,” Cronion said.
She added, “Jordan Love has all of the tools to be the best quarterback in the NFC, and he’s gotta be. He just got paid. It’s time for him to take that tea, drink it, and do something with it.”
Even though Love found himself ranked lower than Travis Hunter in a Top 100 list, he doesn’t let the noise get to him. Most of his mistakes in 2024 came from drops, or simply because he wasn’t 100%, as the crew pointed out.
ESPN’s Thoughts on the Rest of the Division
After a 15-2 season in 2024, the Lions were bounced by the Washington Commanders in the first round of the playoffs. No one expected their season to end that way, as they were blown out in Detroit, 45-31.
Tannenbaum may proclaim Love as QB1 in the division, but he still believes the Lions are the best team. With a prediction that Detroit is making Super Bowl LX, he now has two bold claims that fans will hold him to come the end of the season.
For Green Bay, they open their season at Lambeau Field against the Lions. The two teams won’t play again until Week 13. Thursday, November 27 is the date as Love looks to lead the Packers to another Thanksgiving win against his team’s greatest rival.
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