The Green Bay Packers might be coming off a disappointing defeat to the Detroit Lions last Thursday night, but one positive trend continued — and it might represent the most important factor as Matt LaFleur’s team approaches postseason play.
Quarterback Jordan Love is continuing to catch fire as a passer.
Since coming out of the bye, or over the last four games, Love has completed 59 of 88 passes for 904 yards, six touchdown passes and just one interception. His efficiency throwing the football is off the charts.
Between Weeks 11-14, Love ranks…
— First in yards per attempt at 10.3
— Third in passer rating at 118.8
— Eighth in adjusted completion percentage at 79.3
— Second in EPA generated per play at 0.438
— Second in yards per attempt when under pressure at 10.5
— First in yards per attempt when kept clean in the pocket at 10.1
Love ranks only ninth in touchdown passes, but remember that Josh Jacobs has an NFL-high eight rushing touchdowns over the last four games (no other running back has more than five). The Packers have used Jacobs and the run game to help solve some of the team’s red-zone issues — especially inside the 10-yard line — over the last month.
Finally over knee and groin injuries, Love has regained mobility and accuracy and once again transformed into one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks — just as he did during an incredible stretch to end last season.
Coach Matt LaFleur sees a quarterback getting better and better the more he’s on the field.
“I thought he had an outstanding game (in Detroit),” LaFleur said Monday. “I just think Jordan, the more he plays, the better he gets. His mechanics have improved, I think he really focused on that over the last few weeks, and he’s playing better. It’s funny how that works. He’s doing a great job moving in the pocket, when things are there, it’s almost been automatic for him. So we need that to continue for us to get us where we want to go. I am happy with how he’s playing, he’s playing decisive, doing a good job getting the ball out of his hands. We need him to continue to do that.”
Arguably nothing is important for postseason success than a hot quarterback, and Love is heating up at just the right time.
The next three weeks will provide a nice test for Love’s ascendence. The Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings all rank in the top half of the NFL in terms of EPA allowed per dropback in the passing game over the last month. In fact, the Seahawks — who have won four straight games — rank No. 1 since Week 11.
Can Love stay hot during a tough stretch, lead the Packers into the postseason and do some damage as a passer against the NFC playoff field?