What Can Matt LaFleur, Jordan Love Fix in Love’s Second Start Against Chiefs?
Let’s rewind to 2021. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is ruled out of a potential showdown against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Jordan Love is thrust into the starting lineup just four days before the game.
The game plan was essentially done at that point, and Love was being asked to execute a game plan formulated as if the reigning league MVP was going to start.
Moreover, he was asked to execute that plan in a raucous stadium where the Chiefs boast one of the NFL’s best home-field advantages.
A great performance by Love and the offense could have been a statement that the future of the franchise was in good hands.
Instead, Love struggled in a defensive slugfest. The Packers lost 13-7, with their lone touchdown coming on their final possession.
Love was harassed throughout the game. While sacked only once, he was pressured 19 times out of 39 dropbacks, according to Pro Football Focus.
Regarding defensive coordinators, few, if any, are as decorated as Kansas City’s Steve Spagnuolo.
Spagnuolo was the architect of game plans that slowed down Tom Brady’s 2007 New England Patriots and Kyle Shannahan’s 2019 San Francisco 49ers in two Super Bowls.
Spagnuolo was at his best that day in Kansas City.
The Packers simply did not have an answer for the Chiefs’ blitz-heavy game. Love finished with less than 200 passing yards. He threw an interception and was fortunate to not have thrown more than one.
Despite that, coach Matt LaFleur did not walk away from the game thinking any less of his future starting quarterback.
“I was more disappointed with myself and my staff than any of our players in that game,” LaFleur said on Monday, echoing what he said in the wake of the loss in 2021.
“Instead of just riding with what we game planned, we should’ve, I don’t want to say started over, but we should’ve had a better plan in place for some of the potential issues that were going to come up that absolutely came up in that game.”
With the Packers anticipating more pressure this week against a defense that ranks third in sack percentage, LaFleur said he can call things differently thanks to Love’s experience and quicker release.
"You can dial up maybe some of those mid- to deeper plays that take a little longer to develop, trusting if we don’t block it perfect, he’s going to get the ball out," LaFleur said.
Quarterbacks coach Tom Clements has noticed growth in Love’s game, as well.
"It’s the decision-making in split-second situations,” he said. “Every quarterback who has a good arm like Jordan does likes to throw it downfield, but sometimes you have to recognize throwing it downfield isn’t necessarily the best option."
That decision-making is going to be paramount again if the Packers face a lot of pressure.
When an offense only scores seven points in a game, like it did in Love’s first start two years ago, that constitutes a failure of everyone involved.
The Packers didn’t run the ball well enough that day to make life easier on their quarterback. Aaron Jones only had 12 carries for 53 yards.
Davante Adams was returning from his own battle with COVID, which clearly hampered him in his first game back. Adams made a few plays but was not his usual, dominant self.
It was clear, however, through the course of the game that Love and LaFleur were trying to find answers.
Sunday’s game against the Chiefs is an opportunity for a mulligan.
The Packers are riding high, having won three of their last four. Love has stacked four strong performances together, as well.
A win against the Los Angeles Rams without Matthew Stafford should have been the expectation.
Winning against the Los Angeles Chargers and Justin Herbert was more impressive, especially as Love topped the 300-yard mark for the first time in his career.
Love capped that string of performances with a strong showing on national television against the Detroit Lions in a game in which they were 8.5-point underdogs.
The Packers won 29-22, and with the results over the weekend moved them within one game of a playoff spot.
Jordan Love scrambles to find a receiver
Photo by Lon Horwedel/USA Today Sports Images
Cue the Jim Mora quote.
Now, Love and Co. are staring down their biggest challenge to date.
The Chiefs’ offense receives all the fanfare with Mahomes and Travis Kelce powering a unit that has been at or near the top of the league since Mahomes took over as the starter.
Mahomes’ presence on the other sideline adds pressure to the offense to keep scoring.
However, the Chiefs are probably better on defense this year than they are on offense.
While Kansas City’s offense has struggled as it tries to rebuild their receiver room on the fly, its defense ranks third in points allowed, fourth in yards allowed, fourth in passing yards allowed and fourth in DVOA.
This is not the Chiefs defense of yesteryear that had to be carried by Mahomes and the offense.
The good news for the Packers is this task, while daunting, has coincided with improvement within their offense.
"I think we’re definitely operating at a much higher level. Jordan’s doing a really nice job. I think the guys around him are helping him." LaFleur said.
Love is going to continue to need help if they’re going to knock off the defending champs on Sunday night.
