Packers 27, Giants 20: What Would We Do Without Jordan Love?
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| Photo Credit: Evan Siegle, packers.com It wasn’t pretty, but it didn’t need to be. The Packers needed to find a way to win against the Giants, and they did just that. The Packers ended their two-game losing streak on Sunday by beating the Giants 27 to 20 in a windy MetLife Stadium for their sixth win of the season. With this win, the Bears win, and the Lions loss on Sunday Night Football against the Eagles, they now sit as the current sixth seed in the NFC playoff picture. The Packers made multiple mistakes in this game, there’s no doubt about that, but they still found a way. Injuries were a huge factor too. Jordan Love left the game with a shoulder injury but returned. Quay Walker, Zach Tom, Matthew Golden, and Romeo Doubs also left the game with injuries.
The most significant injury came from Josh Jacobs, who left the game with a knee injury and never returned. It has been reported that Jacobs avoided a significant injury and could possibly miss Sunday’s game against the Vikings. The Jacobs injury hurt, but it did open up the Packers offense like we have all been asking for. They finally got under center and rolled with the play action and passing offense we have desired to see this season. Malik Willis came into this game while Love was sidelined and gave the Packers a little spark. Willis had a clutch 16-yard run that set up the first touchdown of the game on a pass to Christian Watson (the first of two).
Jordan Love returned to the game, and he recognized the situation with Jacobs out and took advantage of it. Even with the swirling wind, Love was putting balls in the right spots for the receivers to haul in. Unfortunately, they caught a case of the dropsies in this one, dropping more than just a couple passes. Unfazed, Jordan Love continued to trust his guys and showed that on two big throws during the fourth quarter. The first big throw came on a crucial third and ten pass to Savion Williams with elite pass blocking from Packers running back Chris Brooks. The second big throw came on a dime to Christian Watson in the end zone for a go-ahead touchdown to put the Packers up 27 to 20.
These are the types of performances you expect from Love and hope he can muster together. With Josh Jacobs injured and possibly missing Sunday against the Vikings, the Packers offense may have to finally plan a game around Love throwing the ball. The Packers defense had multiple opportunities for interceptions and failed to haul in any of them until Evan Williams picked off Jameis Winston with about 30 seconds left in the game. The Giants ended up getting the ball back after burning their three timeouts but failed to make a play thanks to Micah Parsons forcing a strip sack as time expired.
Injuries plagued the defense as well. Quay Walker, who is playing his way into an extension, left the game with a stinger. Devonte Wyatt was also injured, which became very apparent as the Packers struggled to stop the Giants rushing attack. Also, has anybody seen Rashan Gary? I’m about to file a missing person report across the state of Wisconsin. Gary has had zero sacks and three tackles in his last three games. Has the Micah Parsons effect done the opposite of unlocking Gary and instead exposed him? Take a look at his contract for 2026 and tell me what you think. The kicking issue in Green Bay persisted in this game as well with the absence of Brandon McManus due to injury. Backup Lucas Havrisik missed two extra points, including one that was a hard left sweeper that I doubt the wind had anything to do with. Staying positive though! A win is a win. This Packers team isn’t perfect, and I wouldn’t expect them to correct every single mistake they made in this game. Still, this win showed us this team is still able to find ways to win and close out games. Hopefully we can turn back the clock offensively and “let it rip” as Matt LaFleur said regarding Jordan Love and the Packers offense in the second half of the 2023 season.
The Packers now start a stretch of three straight games against division opponents, beginning with the 4-6 Vikings on Sunday at Lambeau Field. The Vikings defense is no joke, and Brian Flores loves to blitz. That being said, that sounds like a lot of man coverage to look forward to for Christian Watson and Matthew Golden. We will see what the week brings related to injury concerns. The Packers are also looking to open the practice window on Wednesday for Jayden Reed, who has missed time with a broken clavicle that required surgery. Enjoy this Victory Monday everyone! We’re on to Minnesota. Real Packer Fans Know🧀 |
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