In his first season as an NFL starter in 2023, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love showed he could be among the very best in the NFL at his position.
Love capped the year with a stunning upset of the No. 2 seed Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card Round followed by signing a massive 4-year, $220 million contract extension before the 2024 season that made him the highest paid player in NFL history.
His second year as a starter didn’t go nearly as well. Love injured his MCL in the season opener in Brazil, missed the next 2 games and was never fully healthy — all the way through when he threw 3 interceptions in an NFC Wild Card loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
In 2025, through at least Week 1, things are starting to seem a little different. Not only did the Packers add arguably the NFL’s elite defensive player in edge rusher Micah Parsons via trade on August 28 to cement their status as Super Bowl contenders, Love’s ascension seems back on track.
In a dominant, 27-13 win over their NFC North Division rival Detroit Lions in Week 1, Love was incredibly efficient — 16-of-22 passing for 188 yards and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions.
Now, Love is being talked about as a true NFL MVP candidate — something the Washington Commanders will get a first hand look at when they travel to face the Packers on Thursday, September 11, in a prime time Week 2 matchup.
NFL MVP Odds Swing Toward Packers QB
The addition of Parsons and Love’s play in Week 1 have only raised his esteem in the eyes of oddsmakers
“The most notable (NFL MVP) riser after Week 1 — both in terms of team and QB — is Green Bay’s Jordan Love,” The Athletic’s Hannah Vanbiber wrote on September 8. “Rising with his team’s considerable win over the Detroit Lions, Love has improved from opening odds of +2500 to +1200 now, good for sixth in the odds.”
The reigning NFL MVP, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (+350) still has the best odds, followed by Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (+550).
Commanders Defense Hopes To Make Statement
The Commanders have their own NFL MVP candidate in quarterback Jayden Daniels (+1000) and are also 1-0 after a 21-6 win over the New York Giants in Week 1 in which Daniels went 19-of-30 passing for 233 yards, 1 touchdown and no interceptions to go with 11 carries for 68 rushing yards.
The most impressive unit for the Commanders in terms of improvement was the defensive front. Washington harassed Giants quarterback Russell Wilson all game, finishing with 2 sacks and 8 QB hits.
The Commanders only allowed 231 yards of total offense — 157 passing and 74 rushing — and New York’s 6 points came on a pair of field goals. It was the first time since 1979 that Washington didn’t allow a touchdown at home while playing against the Giants.
“Though it was hardly perfect — five of the team’s 12 total penalties came on defense, including two that prolonged drives — Washington’s D led the way, proving to be much more than a safety net,” The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala wrote on September 7. “It was a menace.”
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