Jordan Love wasn’t about to let history repeat itself: After his first NFL start against the Chiefs in 2021 ended in disaster, the Packers QB put together a masterful performance Sunday night that did wonders for Green Bay’s playoff hopes.
— Jordan Love waited more than two years — 756 days to be exact — and the Green Bay Packers quarterback wasn’t about to let what happened back then at Arrowhead Stadium repeat itself Sunday night at Lambeau Field.
It was back on Nov. 7, 2021, when Love made his first NFL start against the Kansas City Chiefs. It was a one-time thing with Aaron Rodgers out because of COVID-19. And it was a disaster. Love crumbled in the face of blitz after blitz and walked away a 13-7 loser.
That Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo tried a similar strategy Sunday and Love masterfully sidestepped it showed how important this 27-19 victory on «Sunday Night Football» was, and just how far he has come 12 games into his first season as Green Bay’s full-time starting quarterback.
«Yeah, it’s huge,» said Love, who finished 25-of-36 passing for 267 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. «For me personally, obviously I’ve had this game circled for a long time. My first start, obviously, didn’t play how I wanted to the first game. So to be able to see these guys again and get the victory is huge. It’s just a great team win tonight. Everybody just balled out, so it was an awesome win.»
It was also huge for the Packers’ playoff chances. A team that in late October was 2-5 now sits at 6-6 and — for now — in the final playoff spot in the NFC. Their playoff chances jumped all the way to 66%, according to ESPN Analytics, from 45% entering the game. A loss would have reduced the possibility to 37%.
