The game of love against pressure was the key to the competition. According to Next Gen Stats, the QB went 12 of 17 for 100 yards with three touchdowns and posted a passer rating of 125.0 in a blitz on Sunday night.
“I personally think it’s just a matter of seeing the stuff,” Love said of his play against the Blitz players. “I’m getting more reps, I’m more comfortable and I understand where I need to go with the ball. I think the O-line does a great job just being able to absorb this stuff. It’s not easy when they’re bringing all-outs, some of those blitzes and things like that, but they’ve done a great job of giving me time and then receivers. Obviously they know when to be open and how long I’ve got it and then just go out and make plays. This is definitely something we practice as a team. We know some teams are going to do it and we have to be able to execute, go out there and make sure they don’t do it again.
Love has obviously made a lot of progress since he first started his career over two years ago. His play has also improved in his first full season as a starter.
After a shaky start to the campaign, Love has seen an upswing. Since Week 7, following the Packers’ bye, Love has 14 TD passes, the second-most in the NFL during that span, behind only Dak Prescott. His increased comfort in the pocket and his confidence to see it and make it rip has opened up Green Bay’s offense. He finally managed to hit some of the long shots that landed miserably on the grass at the start of the season.
Love’s play gives the Packers a three-game winning streak, including the last two against teams in the playoffs (Detroit, Kansas City). After a 2-5 start, Green Bay is 6-6 and in the final wild card spot. Given their play and weak schedule (no opponents with a record above .500), the playoffs have gone from an unlikely possibility to a probability in recent weeks.
After entering the season with a lot of questions and stumbling out of the gate, Love has shown the kind of growth, maturity and talent that should have Packers fans excited about the development under center.