Jordan Love and Christian Watson headed to bed on Wednesday night, visualizing a spectacular start to the Thanksgiving game against the Detroit Lions. The Green Bay Packers quarterback and receiver had a plan for a significant play. However, Coach Matt LaFleur contemplated changing the first play call, revealing, “Matter of fact, I almost changed that first play call.” He even informed Love about the potential alteration in the morning.
Despite LaFleur’s hesitations, Love advocated for sticking to the original plan. This decision proved crucial, as on the initial play, Watson flawlessly executed a deep ball from Love, resulting in a 53-yard gain. This set the stage for the game’s first touchdown by rookie receiver Jayden Reed. The Packers went on to secure a 29-22 upset win over the NFC North-leading Lions, who were 8.5-point favorites.
Love not only vindicated LaFleur’s trust in him and Watson but also hinted at being a promising successor to Aaron Rodgers after 15 years. Among Love’s notable achievements in the game was his third three-touchdown performance of the season, matching Rodgers’ feat within his first 15 career starts since 1950. Additionally, Love achieved career highs in Total QBR (90.6), first-down rate (41%), and completion percentage over expectation (+7.3%).
In a remarkable turnaround, Love, who had struggled earlier in the season, showcased significant improvement. The Packers had won three of their last four games, with Love’s completion rate increasing from 58% to 65%. LaFleur highlighted the night-and-day difference in Love’s command of the offense over the past month, allowing for more aggressive play calls and increased confidence in the team.
Watson, unaware of LaFleur’s contemplation of changing the initial play, delivered an outstanding performance with five catches, 94 yards, and a touchdown. Watson, who had faced challenges with a low catch rate before Thursday, expressed satisfaction with having plays designed for him in the offense.
The victory was not solely the Love show; other key contributors included Rashan Gary with three sacks, Jonathan Owens with a touchdown off a strip sack, and rookie tight end Tucker Kraft scoring his first NFL touchdown. While the Packers may not have fully re-entered the NFC playoff race, the game provided crucial insights into Love’s potential as the long-term quarterback solution.
According to Watson, Love is “the most confident guy I’ve played with,” and the team is optimistic about continuous improvement. “We’ve seen enough at this point,” said Watson, emphasizing Love’s capabilities and the team’s commitment to growth.
