The Green Bay Packers improved to 5-2 on the season with their thrilling 24-22 victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday afternoon. Brandon McManus, who signed with the team earlier this week, made the game-winning 45-yard field goal as time expired. Wide receiver Romeo Doubs led the Packers with eight receptions for 94 yards, including the incredibly difficult catch that put Green Bay in position for the aforementioned field goal.
The defense played extremely well, limiting Texans quarterback CJ Stroud to 86 passing yards on and a completion percentage below 50%. Linebacker Eric Wilson, who played more than usual after Quay Walker suffered a concussion, had four tackles for loss and two sacks.
Of course, Packers quarterback Jordan Love was a huge factor in the game as well.
Green Bay Packers Quarterback Jordan Love Reminds Fans of Brett Favre
Love had another exciting day, completing 24 of 33 passes (72.7%) for 220 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. He spread the ball around well with eight different pass catchers recording at least one reception.
Love’s touchdown passes were thrown to tight end Tucker Kraft, wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks, and running back Josh Jacobs. The throw to Jacobs, which gave the Packers a 21-19 lead, was the running back’s first career touchdown reception. He holds the NFL record for the most career receptions before scoring a receiving touchdown.
As has been the case this year, Love has become known for his high-risk throws, some of which end in interceptions. Even his most brilliant throws that end well are sometimes considered to be unwise. For example, his touchdown throw to Kraft sailed through the hands of a Texans defender before the Packers tight end make a diving catch:
Jordan Love might not have a better throw this year. Bullet through the coverage for the touchdown. Beauty.pic.twitter.com/F3ROHOx3Nj
— Jason B. Hirschhorn (@by_JBH) October 20, 2024
Indeed, much of Love’s game reminds fans of Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre, who still holds the NFL record for career interceptions. Despite Favre’s many turnovers, though, he was beloved during his playing career because he had more successful high-risk throws than ones that ended in disaster.
And it sounds like Love has a great deal of that moxie in his own game.
Green Bay Packers Quarterback Jordan Love Responds to Critics of His Interceptions
When addressing the media after the win, Love was asked about his turnover worthy throws. Without hesitation, Love said, “You can’t try to not be aggressive and take check-downs all day. You have to be aggressive and go win those games. I’m going to play the way I play, learn from the mistakes and grow from them.”
For 15 years, Packers fans watched Aaron Rodgers avoid high-risk throws. Very rarely would Rodgers throw a pass that he thought had a chance to be intercepted. There is a reason, after all, that he is the NFL record holder for touchdown-interception ratio.
And while there is a lot of Rodgers’ mentoring evident in Love’s game, it is important to remember that the current Packers quarterback is his own player. He will take the risks, and when they don’t work out, he will learn from them.
Currently, Love is on pace to finish the 2024 season with 26 interceptions. But he also is on pace to finish with 46 touchdowns.
Love’s touchdown to Kraft on Sunday was his 45th touchdown pass since the beginning of the 2023 season. No quarterback has more.
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