GREEN BAY — Micah Parsons officially was introduced at 3:18 p.m. Sunday, and the crowd gathered for the Green Bay Packers’ 2025 season opener greeted him with open arms. His name was announced over the loudspeaker and Parsons came sprinting out of the tunnel, instantly raising the energy and decibel levels inside Lambeau Field.
Jordan Love was one of the first players waiting on the field to slap hands with Parsons. The Packers quarterback earlier in the week had revealed a vision of sorts he had for Parsons’ debut with the team: The defense taking the field first for Green Bay, and its brand-new star edge rusher adding an exclamation point to that opening series with a sack.
So much for that prediction. It was the offense that got the first crack against the Detroit Lions, and it was Love who got to make the first impression in a season that began with so much hope and so many expectations.
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Parsons may have stolen the spotlight in a 27-13 victory, but Love wasn’t exactly operating in the shadows during a dominant display by the Packers that will only ratchet up the hype around Titletown.
It’s this simple: If this is the Love we see this season, this team can be scary good.
“This team is so loaded and the sky's the limit,” Parsons said, “and I think (we’re going to) be a really good football team.”
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It’s hard to argue with that assessment based on what Green Bay put on display for 60 minutes against an opponent that has had the Packers’ number of late.
Parsons’ mere presence gives the defense an aura it has been lacking and, hey, the guy can make some plays, too. His first career sack with the Packers didn’t come until the fourth quarter, but by then he’d already provided evidence that he makes those around him better.
But, with all due respect to Parsons, this team can only reach its ceiling if Love reaches his. Which is why Sunday was such an encouraging performance from a quarterback beginning his third season as a starter.
The Packers had talked so much about getting off to a fast start this season. Saying it is one thing, doing it quite another.
Well, Love and Co. went out and did it.
“That’s the goal, that was our mindset coming in is we’ve got to start fast,” Love said. “Obviously, everything starts with me being able to go out there and be as accurate as possible and make great decisions on the ball. So, I think we did a great job. I’m definitely happy about the way we were able to get rolling early and make some big-time plays.”
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The Packers built a 10-0 lead before Parsons had even had a chance to break a sweat. Love drove the offense 83 yards in 12 plays to open the game, capping off the drive with a perfect throw to tight end Tucker Kraft for a 15-yard score.
That play came on third-and-9, completing a trifecta of money-down deliveries from Love on that opening series. He connected with Dontayvion Wicks for 16 yards to move the chains on third-and-10 and found rookie Matthew Golden for 11 yards on third-and-6 three plays later.
“That’s critical,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “That’s why those guys get paid, right? Those money downs. He definitely delivered in those clutch, critical situations.”
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Love found Jayden Reed for a 26-yard gain on third-and-7 on the next series, which ended with a field goal. Arguably his most important throw of the day was a 48-yard deep ball to Romeo Doubs on the opening play of a series that followed a Detroit field goal that cut Green Bay’s lead to 10-3.
Love followed that big shot by hitting Reed in stride for a 17-yard strike that gave the Packers a two-score cushion. He exited the first half 12 of 16 for 157 yards and a passer rating of 147.7.
Ten Packers had registered at least one reception by that point.
“I think it just goes to show you the depth we have at receiver, tight end and running back,” Love said. “We’ve got playmakers all around and guys who can come in here and catch the rock and make plays. I think that’s what you want as an offense, be able to spread the wealth around, and keep the defense on their heels on who we’re going to be targeting, things like that. It just comes down to all those guys being dialed in, going out there and making plays.”
Still, it all starts with the quarterback. Love has shown flashes of brilliance over his first two seasons as a starter, sometimes over extended stretches.
But both of those campaigns have ended with the reality that, among other things holding back the Packers, a growth spurt was required at the most important position on the field. If the Packers were going to take the next step, Love was going to have to take one, too.
If Sunday is any indication, Love might be ready to do just that. All eyes may have been on Parsons, but the quarterback who can help the Packers reach new heights this season quietly went about his business, offering hope on a day filled with hoopla.
jpolzin@madison.com
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