Since being selected by the Packers in the 2020 draft to everyone's surprise, Jordan Love has had a journey very similar to that of his predecessor, Aaron Rodgers. Now he gives Green Bay a big dose of hope, especially since the stats after 12 games are strangely similar for the two quarterbacks.
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Before we even get into Love's “Rodgersesque” start on the field, we must look at the amazing match that defines the beginning of the two players' journey.
In 2005, the Packers targeted Aaron Rodgers with the 24th pick in the draft, even though they were counting on a legend at the quarterback position in Brett Favre. The latter had won the Most Valuable Player title three times and the Super Bowl once.
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In 2020, the Packers targeted Jordan Love with the 26th pick in the draft, even though they were betting on a quarterback legend in Aaron Rodgers at the time. The latter went on to win the Most Valuable Player title three times and the Super Bowl once.
After three years of keeping him on the bench and watching him in practice, the Packers decided in 2008 that the 24-year-old Rodgers had to become the maestro of their offense. The identical recipe was repeated this fall with Love, after three years on the bench, at age 24.
Similar numbers
After a few tough games, Jordan Love appears to have found his rhythm at the helm of the Packers offense. Getty Images via AFP
The comparison certainly doesn't end there. It's downright strange that the two quarterbacks have nearly identical stats after their respective first 12 games in a Packers uniform.
At this point in his career, Rodgers had completed 257 of 404 passes (63.6%) for 2,897 yards, with 20 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.
For his part, Love completed 250 of 408 passes (61.3%) for 2,866 yards, with 22 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Rodgers' QB rating was 91.2, while Love's is 90.2. Basically, in terms of numbers, you can almost speak of a breakthrough for two quarters.
As Charles Tisseyre would eloquently say: It's fascinating! However, there is nothing scientific about this fascinating symmetry.
Series in the spotlight
The Packers really started to stand out with their blowout win in Detroit on Thanksgiving against the Lions. Getty Images via AFP
Where the curve shows an initial asymmetry in the first year between Rodgers and Love becomes evident over the course of the Packers' 2008 season and 15 years later.
After seven games in his first year as a starter, Rodgers gave fans hope and the team was 4-3. The playoffs seemed like a realistic goal.
After seven games this fall, Love was looking for himself and with a record of 2-5, making the playoffs seemed out of reach.
However, the 2008 Packers finished the season with seven losses in nine games and finished 6-10, a far cry from the January tournament.
The opposite trend appears to be emerging for the 2023 Packers. Not only have the Packers won their last three games, but Love has been a force with eight touchdown passes and no interceptions.
That task was accomplished against two of three winning teams, the Chiefs and the Lions.
Through Week 8, Love averaged a paltry 6 yards per pass attempt and never averaged at least 7 yards in a game. Since then, his average has increased to 7.9 yards per pass attempt and he has never had fewer than 7.2 in a game.
It's easy to see how he's starting to gain confidence in his abilities despite a very young group of receivers. Five wideout wingers are second-year players or freshmen!
It really is time to give the Packers quarterback some “love,” as the kids like to say.
WEEK 14
THURSDAY
MY CHOICE
- New England in Pittsburgh STAHLER
SUNDAY
MY DECISIONS
- Tampa Bay at Atlanta (1 p.m.) FALCON
- LA Rams at Baltimore (1 p.m.) RAVENS
- Detroit to Chicago (1 p.m.) LIONS
- Indianapolis to Cincinnati (1 p.m.) BENGAL
- Jacksonville to Cleveland (1:00 p.m.) BROWN
- Caroline in New Orleans (1 p.m.) SAINTS
- Houston at NY Jets (1 p.m.) TEXAN
- Minnesota at Las Vegas (4:05 p.m.) VIKINGS
- Seattle to San Francisco (4:05 p.m.) 49ERS
- Buffalo at Kansas City (4:25 p.m.) BILLS
- Denver at LA Chargers (4:25 p.m.) BRONCOS
- Philadelphia at Dallas (8:20 p.m.) COWBOYS
MONDAY
MY DECISIONS
- Tennessee at Miami (8:15 p.m.) DOLPHINS
- Green Bay at NY Giants (8:15 p.m.) PACKER
*Teams on leave: Cardinals, Commanders
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS: 8 out of 13 (61.5%)
OVERALL THIS SEASON: 126 of 193 (65.3%)
SELECTION OF NEWSPAPER
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7) vs. Atlanta Falcons (6-6)
A DEFENSE THAT SURPRISES
Safety Jessie Bates III helped transform the Falcons' defense. Getty Images via AFP
Before the season began, no one would have bet that the Falcons defense would lead the team. However, it has not conceded a touchdown in its opponents' last 24 possessions, which is the longest active streak in the NFL. This defense is seventh in points allowed, second in third downs and first in the penalty box. The Falcons already beat the Bucs earlier this fall and another win would all but eliminate them from division contention.
Los Angeles Rams (6-6) vs. Baltimore Ravens (9-3)
BACK TO EARTH
Running back Kyren Williams will try to lead the Rams to an upset win in Baltimore. Getty Images via AFP
The Rams continue to surprise with three straight wins, including two against teams that had a winning record at the time of the match. However, the Ravens will be refreshed after their bye week. They haven't given up more than 200 yards since October 22nd. If the Rams have a chance, it's with running back Kyren Williams. Because even though the Ravens are solid defensively, they still gave up more than 125 yards on the ground five times. It's the Rams' defense that can't keep up.
Detroit Lions (9-3) vs. Chicago Bears (4-8)
DANGER: BEAR CROSSING!
The recent matchup between Bears and Lions was hard-fought. Getty Images via AFP
The Lions know they can't take the Bears lightly. In the last meeting between the two division rivals two weeks ago, the Bears led by 12 points with four minutes left before collapsing. The Lions are still a real sieve on defense as they gave the Saints 362 yards despite the win and were deprived of their quarterback for part of the game. The game is in Chicago, which could limit the Lions' air attack in the cold and windy conditions. Victory, Lions, but not easy…
Indianapolis Colts (7-5) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (6-6)
BROWNING was impressed
Jake Browning was named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week. Getty Images via AFP
Will backup quarterback Jake Browning, who has become the Bengals' starter due to circumstances, be able to repeat his success on Monday (32 in 37, 354 yards)? The Colts defense showed some teeth by limiting their last four rivals to an average of 172 small air yards. But beware! Who were these four famous rivals? The dismal Panthers, the dismal Patriots, the inconsistent Buccaneers and the Titans with no offensive line. The record of these four teams is 12-37, so let's wait before celebrating the Colts…
Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4) vs. Cleveland Browns (7-5)
Big blur…
CJ Beathard could be the Jaguars' starter. Getty Images via AFP
The Browns aren't revealing whether they will pass the ball to Joe Flacco or Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who has recovered from his concussion. For the Jaguars, we also don't know if CJ Beathard will replace Trevor Lawrence, who has an ankle injury. Even if Lawrence were to play, it would be difficult. The Browns are first in the league in defense. So far, the Jags have faced two top-five teams in defense and scored a total of 12 points with their star quarterback in these duels against the Chiefs and the 49ers. Good luck if it's CJ…
Carolina Panthers (1-11) vs. New Orleans Saints (5-7)
NOT JUST YOUNG MISTAKE
Bryce Young could set a team record in quarterback sacks at his expense. Getty Images via AFP
Many are throwing stones at rookie quarterback Bryce Young. It's true that the Panthers' pivot doesn't impress, but the team traded away its best receiver, there's no ground game and the offensive line isn't credible. Young has had at least four sacks in eight games and the Panthers are on pace to give up 66 sacks, just shy of the team record of 69. Fortunately, the Saints are tied for 31st with 19 sacks. The Saints offense will be without Derek Carr, but they will do what it takes.
Houston Texans (7-5) vs. New York Jets (4-8)
HERE'S WILSON BACK!
Jets quarterback Zach Wilson returns to action. Getty Images via AFP
The Tim Boyle experiment is already over for the Jets. The quarterback led the offense to a meager touchdown on 18 offensive drives. Zach Wilson returns, but no matter who throws the ball in this miserable offense, the Jets score four minor touchdowns in their last 88 drives. Right now, this attack may not even be able to hit an egg. The Texans will be without rookie receiver Tank Dell for the remainder of the season, but Nico Collins shines.
Minnesota Vikings (6-6) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (5-7)
THE RETURN OF JEFFERSON
Justin Jefferson will play his first match since October 8th. Getty Images via AFP
Exceptional receiver Justin Jefferson returns after a long absence. He hasn't played since October 8th and it will be fascinating to see him reach his potential alongside Jordan Addison. Josh Dobbs will get another chance after the two really tough games before the bye week. Jefferson's presence gives him a luxury option. The Raiders' offense didn't score more than 17 points in the three games before halftime last week.
Seattle Seahawks (6-6) vs. San Francisco 49ers (9-3)
THE TIME TEAM
Christian McCaffrey has had a lot of success against the Seahawks. Getty Images via AFP
After a mid-season slump, the 49ers have once again become the club of the moment. Not only did they defeat big winning teams like the Eagles, Cowboys, Jaguars and Seahawks, but they also massacred them. The Seahawks have lost their last four meetings against the Niners by a point average of 30-14. The offensive gains also went clearly in the Niners' favor (490 to 261). In his career against the Seahawks, Christian McCaffrey has averaged 165 yards rushing from the offensive line.
Buffalo Bills (6-6) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (8-4)
ALWAYS A CLASSIC!
Josh Allen looked good in his last duels against the Chiefs. AFP
The Bills vs. Chiefs duels never get boring, even though both teams are 2-3 in their last five games. Despite the Bills' failures, Josh Allen has been playing better lately and against the Chiefs he has 14 career touchdown passes against just two interceptions for 276 yards per game. The Chiefs' offense promises more than the Bills'. The Chiefs' solid defense since the start of the year conceded touchdowns on the first two possessions of their two most recent opponents.
Denver Broncos (6-6) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (5-7)
BROKEN CHARGERS
Justin Herbert is looking for solutions to unlock the Chargers' offense. Getty Images via AFP
We've long praised the Chargers' offense and implored their defense to do better, but these days everything's turned upside down. The offense is neutral and has only scored 36 points in the last three games. Justin Herbert only threw three touchdown passes during this difficult phase. In his career against the Broncos, his record is rather mixed with three wins and three losses as well as five interceptions. The Broncos' defense had some issues last week but largely held its own.
Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) vs. Dallas Cowboys (9-3)
SHOCK OF DIVISION
The Cowboys-Eagles rivalry often results in excellent games. Getty Images via AFP
The winner of this duel could potentially walk away with the Eastern Division honors later on. In their last three games, the Eagles have given up at least 145 yards on the ground. Something is wrong with the defense, which is hoping to bounce back with the addition of linebacker Shaquille Leonard. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has thrown 14 touchdown passes in his last four duels against the Eagles. His team dominated the final matchup, but the Eagles found a way to win. The Cowboys are 6-0 at home and average 41 points.
Tennessee Titans (4-8) vs. Miami Dolphins (9-3)
IT COMES FROM EVERYWHERE
Tyreek Hill and his teammates on the Dolphins offense are having fun this season. Getty Images via AFP
The last game was difficult for the Titans due to several injuries, including tackle Jeffery Simmons. Without him, the Dolphins risk running out of Raheem Mostert and De'Von Achane. Of course, there's the Air Attack, which is always on fire, but the Dolphins' defense also deserves some attention. In the last six games, rivals' gains have been limited to fewer than 300 yards. Back to offense: Tyreek Hill is gaining 123.4 yards per game, more than Calvin Johnson (122.8) in his record-setting 2012 season.
Green Bay Packers (6-6) vs. New York Giants (4-8)
Packers on the rise
Matt LaFleur has never suffered a loss as Packers coach in December. Getty Images via AFP
Suddenly the Packers find themselves in the playoff picture. They were 3-6 at midseason, but now the last available ticket to the national conference would fall to them if nothing changes. That's a good sign, as Matt LaFleur has a perfect 16-0 record in December games in five seasons at the helm. The Giants await them with quarterback Tommy DeVito, although Tyrod Taylor is ready to return. The air raid was limited to less than 200 yards nine times.