Let Jordan Love cook
Sunday night was one of the very best games of Jordan Love’s NFL career as he outgunned his former teammate Aaron Rodgers.
Per Opta, he became the first quarterback in history to complete 20 consecutive passes, throw for 350 yards and three touchdowns, and have zero turnovers or sacks all in the same game. His 78.4% completion rate was the second-best mark of his career, and his best since week 18 of 2023.
While the run game has struggled to get into gear, in part due to a Green Bay offensive line which has not opened enough lanes for Josh Jacobs, and is still not fully settled – Jordan Morgan and Sean Rhyan continued to rotate on Sunday – it has been a different story in pass pro.
Not allowing a sack against a vaunted Pittsburgh pass rush speaks to Love’s talent for avoiding them, as well as Matt LaFleur’s skill in drawing up effective pass protection plans, and the offensive line’s ability to execute.
Emanuel Wilson gave the run game a spark at times versus the Steelers, but with how incredibly well Love has played all season, it might be time his head coach starts putting the game in his hands more.
There are some signs this could be beginning to happen. In the first five games, the Packers averaged 29.4 passes to 26.8 runs; a 52:48 split. In the last two weeks, they have thrown the ball 33 times on average compared to 22 runs, a 60:40 split.
Part of the reason for the change is likely that they were down in both games in the second half, but becoming more pass-heavy has been effective, and just might serve as a bit of an epiphany for LaFleur to let Love take over moving forward.
Second half Packers blow Steelers away
After digging a hole for themselves before halftime for the second straight week, Green Bay slammed their foot on the gas and never let up in the second period.
It was a dominant and mature 30 minutes of football on both sides of the ball, with players stepping up and executing across the board.
This group has shown the crucial ability to deliver in clutch spots, and despite still being the youngest team in the league up against the second-oldest in Pittsburgh, they were the more disciplined team, with the Steelers the ones committing back-breaking penalties down the stretch.
Cornerback trials and tribulations
After receiving a vote of confidence from both LaFleur and Jeff Hafley that he would be able to bounce back from a terrible showing against Arizona, Nate Hobbs was benched for Carrington Valentine, in a move that was overdue.
Valentine played 62 snaps to Hobbs’ four, and justified his promotion. It was not a perfect game in coverage for the third-year player, but he prevented catches by DK Metcalf on two key plays, including an impressive pass breakup in the end zone despite not having the ideal leverage.
Elsewhere, Keisean Nixon had a rough outing, keeping multiple Steelers drives going on 3rd down by giving up big receptions or penalties. He also allowed a touchdown and muffed a punt.
He was ill entering last week’s game, so deserved some benefit of the doubt for a below par display against the Cardinals, and every corner is going to give up some plays, but his play in the first half of Sunday’s contest was egregious.
I doubt the Packers make an aggressive push for cornerback help at the deadline having put their faith (and some serious cash in one case) in Hobbs and Nixon this offseason, but they still have a couple of weeks to make that determination. Playing Valentine full time would be a start.
Tucker Kraft is an elite tight end
After a seven-catch, 143-yard performance on National Tight Ends day, as well as two touchdowns, Kraft launched himself right to the top of the receiving charts at his position.
He now ranks 2nd in yards among tight ends with 469, is tied for 2nd in touchdowns with six, and leads the position in total expected points added (EPA), despite running 100 fewer routes than Trey McBride in 2nd place.
Kraft continues to come through in the clutch for Green Bay, converting pivotal 3rd and 4th downs during Sunday’s game, including a touchdown on 3rd and 4 to help put Pittsburgh away.
For all the handwringing over who is the Packers’ WR1, Kraft is clearly the lead pass catcher on this team. The statistics now reflect as much, and he has absolutely earned that honor.
Christian Watson makes an immediate impact
Even though they ended up running away with this game in the second half, it can be argued Green Bay does not win without Watson, who was instrumental in some of their biggest plays of the night.
So much for being eased back in, Watson played 56% of the snaps, caught four passes for 85 yards in his return to action, including a 33-yard reception to convert a critical 3rd and 7, putting the Packers in the red zone.
Watson also made key blocks on two of Green Bay’s touchdowns, helping Kraft and Josh Jacobs find paydirt. The receiver’s impact on this offense cannot be overstated, and that was on full display in his first game back.