The Green Bay Packers season opener couldn’t have gone any better. Of course, the outcome was the best thing to come out of it. But the fact it was over their hated rival, the Chicago Bears, made it even sweeter. Then there was the play of their new starting quarterback. The way that Jordan Love played in his third career start gives fans hope for the future and the present.
How Jordan Love Dominated In Week 1 – And How It Can Continue
The Packers overall success on Sunday afternoon has to be put into perspective. The way they played and the results they achieved are great ways to start a season. But fans have to remember, the Bears are still one of the worst teams in the NFL. A victory doesn’t guarantee the Packers ticket to this year’s Super Bowl.
However, a win is a win and the way they played is a great springboard for the 2023 season. The same can be said about Jordan Love and what he did against the Bears. He finished the game going 15 of 27 for 245 yards with three touchdown passes. Not only were his numbers solid, but so was his poise. You never would have guessed this was just his third career start.
We commend Love for his play on Sunday, but he did have some help. While the Packers are now focusing on their Week 2 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons, we take a look at the three biggest factors that helped with Love’s opening game success.
All Starts Up Front
You have to credit general manager Brian Gutekunst for what he has done with the Green Bay Packers offensive line. He has put together a line mixed with veterans and young players who are extremely athletic. While they weren’t matched up against a defensive line that would be confused with the Purple People Eaters, they still dominated the line of scrimmage.
The starting unit of David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jon Runyan Jr., and Zach Tom allowed just one sack on the day. In fact, the one sack of Jordan Love was more of a coverage sack. The line gave him more than enough time but he wasn’t able to find an open receiver.
While making sure an inexperienced quarterback has weapons is important, providing him with a talented offensive line is just or even more important. Health will be a big factor in keeping the line intact. But if they all stay healthy, it will increase Love’s chances of having success throughout the season.
Passing Plan
It wasn’t good news leading up to the game. The Packers biggest receiving threat, wide receiver Christian Watson, was held out with a hamstring injury. Along with Watson, Romeo Doubs, the Packers number two wide receiver, was questionable also because of a hamstring injury. The amount he would play was unknown right up to kickoff.
Even with having Watson out and Doubs not at 100 percent (he did play, and in a big way), head coach and offensive play caller Matt LaFleur implemented a passing game that gave Love a chance to succeed. LaFleur used a lot of presnap motion, which seemed to confuse the Bears and open up receivers.
The presnap motion, something not utilized to the fullest when Aaron Rodgers was under center, presented options in the passing game for Jordan Love. He connected with six different pass-catchers in the game. At no point did it seem that Love was trying to force the ball. The LaFleur passing plan allowed Love to spread the ball around. That led to the Packers offensive success.
Jones is Still the Packers Best Offensive Weapon
While we applaud Matt LaFleur for his passing plan, we can’t say the same about his plan for running back Aaron Jones. During his time in charge of the Packers offense, LaFleur has struggled to get Jones the ball enough. Something he did on Sunday.
Jones was pretty much a nonfactor in the first half. Really, the most he was used was on the Packers first offensive series. But after halftime and realizing that he made an error in the first half, LaFleur finally made the adjustment.
All Jones did when given the ball was make plays in the second half. Along with busting a big run, he had a one-yard touchdown run along with a 35-yard touchdown reception. Still, he had to split time with fellow running back AJ Dillon, who struggled throughout the game.
Even at 28 years old and playing in his seventh season, Aaron Jones is still the biggest offensive weapon the Packers have on offense. If Jordan Love is going to continue to develop and have success, LaFleur is going to need to work up a plan that gets Jones the ball more. As proven in the second half, only good things happen when Jones has the ball in his hands.
Main Photo: Mike De Sisti – USA Today Sports
