ClutchPoints
For weeks, the Green Bay Packers had shown flashes. Fans saw how Jordan Love looked elite, Tucker Kraft looked unstoppable, and Matt LaFleur’s offensive vision felt fully realized. However, it wasn’t until Sunday Night Football that those flashes turned into a full-blown statement.
Trailing 16-7 at halftime, the Packers stormed back to dominate the second half. They outscored the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-9 en route to a convincing 35-25 victory. It was a declaration. In what was billed as Aaron Rodgers’ ‘revenge game’ against his old team, Love stole the spotlight. He outdueled his predecessor and put the rest of the NFC on alert.
Love threw for 360 yards and three touchdowns. He completed 29 of 37 passes and setting a new personal best with 20 straight completions. That’s a feat not seen in Green Bay since Brett Favre in 2007. For his part, Kraft was a monster, hauling in seven passes for 143 yards and two scores. The defense settled in after a rough first half. They forced multiple three-and-outs, and Green Bay improved to 5-1-1 with a performance that looked every bit championship-caliber.
If this is the Packers’ ceiling, the rest of the conference might be in trouble. Here we’ll try to look at how the Packers showed off their ceiling, and it should scare the rest of the NFC.
What makes Love’s breakout so satisfying is the context. On the same field as Rodgers, Love delivered the kind of mature, poised, and explosive performance that cements him as the face of the franchise.
Love was magnificent. Recall that at one point, he completed 20 consecutive passes. That’s a number Packers fans hadn’t seen in nearly two decades. His 33-yard strike to Christian Watson in tight coverage might be one of the throws of the year. It was a perfect blend of confidence and precision.
Even more impressive? He wasn’t sacked once, despite facing a physical Steelers front led by TJ Watt.
Green Bay couldn’t get the ground game going, managing just 78 rushing yards. However, Love didn’t need it. He carried the offense on his shoulders. Now, it truly feels like the torch from Rodgers had been officially passed.
It’s not hyperbole to suggest Love entered the MVP conversation with this performance. If he maintains this level of accuracy and confidence, the Packers’ offensive ceiling is as high as anyone’s in football.
Sunday was Tucker Kraft’s day. On National Tight End Day, the Packers’ emerging star tight end reminded everyone why he’s quickly becoming one of the most versatile weapons in the league.
Kraft was everywhere. He averaged a ridiculous 20.4 yards per catch. His yards-after-catch ability turned simple completions into game-breaking plays. When Love needed a spark, he looked to Kraft, and every time, the tight end delivered.
That said, Kraft’s night wasn’t just about receiving. He blocked effectively, picked up blitzes,...
