The Green Bay Packers missed a major opportunity with Sunday’s 27-25 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Had the Packers pulled off the upset, Green Bay would have been in the mix for the No. 5 seed in the NFC Playoffs and a far more favorable draw than the likely trip to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles to open the postseason on Wild Card weekend.
While Green Bay led a frenetic comeback, from 17 points down, quarterback Jordan Love‘s play for much of the game left much to be desired.
Is Jordan Love the Reason the Packers Lost to the Vikings?
Against the Vikings, Love seemed to struggle mightily against the exotic blitz packages dialed up by Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
Love finished Week 17 completing 19-of-30 passes for 185 yards with one touchdown. However, only 62 of those yards came in the first three quarters.
Former Packers running back Gary Ellerson lays the blame for the Packers’ struggles on offense at Love’s feet.
“I think the problem with this offense right now,” Ellerson said recently on ESPN Madison. “Jordan Love is no longer Jordan Love anymore.”
This season, Love has passed for 3,320 yards with 25 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. However, Ellerson believes there is something structurally wrong with the way head coach Matt LaFleur is calling the offense, and Love’s ability to excel in it.
“After the bye week,” Ellerson says. “Jordan Love has not been himself. Because, the offense has moved to [Josh Jacobs]. I think it’s hurting Jordan Love.
“Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love are going to have to get together and figure out what’s that mesh. What’s that happy medium.”
Jacobs has certainly developed into a focal point for the Packers, while rushing for 1,285 yards with a career-high 14 rushing touchdowns. How LaFleur, Love, and Jacobs find the kind of balance that also allows the Packers’ playmaking receivers to thrive and dictate to opposing defenses may dictate how far Green Bay is capable of advancing in these playoffs.
“I want Jacobs out front,” Ellerson explains. “Now, you’ve got to bring that marriage together. If it feels like Jordan Love is playing not to lose. It feels like he’s tight. It just feels like he isn’t free-flowing. It feels like he’s playing not to make mistakes.
“Somehow, you have to figure it out. You have to let Jordan Love be Jordan Love. You can’t over coach him. I’ve seen so many coaches over-coach these players, and they wind up handcuffed.”
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