A depressing playoff defeat caps off Jordan Love’s excellent rookie campaign as the quarterback for the Packers.
Speaking at a press conference following an NFL Divisional Round playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, January 20, 2024, in Santa Clara, California, is Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love. (AP PHOTO/JACOBSOHN JED)
On Saturday, January 20, 2024, in Santa Clara, California, quarterback Jordan Love (10) of the Green Bay Packers tosses a pass during the first half of an NFL football NFC divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers. (Photo by Ashley Landis/AP)
On Saturday, January 20, 2024, in Santa Clara, California, during the first half of an NFL football NFC divisional playoff game, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) jumps above San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (2). (Photo by Ashley Landis/AP)
On Saturday, January 20, 2024, in Santa Clara, California, during the second half of an NFL football NFC divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) catches a two-point conversion. (Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP Photo)
Head coach of the San Francisco 49ers Kyle Shanahan, right, embraces head coach of the Green Bay Packers Matt LaFleur following an NFL football NFC divisional playoff game on Saturday, January 20, 2024, in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/AP)
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) Despite all of the positive aspects of Jordan Love’s first season as the Green Bay Packers’ starting quarterback, the season’s conclusion was unsatisfactory.
After a devastating playoff defeat, the Packers are returning home.
In an attempt to extend its season, Green Bay attempted a late-game drive when Love threw his second interception of the game. However, the Packers blew a lead in the fourth quarter and lost 24-21 to the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round on Saturday night.
Love remarked, “It’ll hurt for a while.” It will hurt to watch all of the upcoming games knowing that we had a chance to win but failed to take advantage of it. Although it will hurt for a while, in retrospect, we will be able to see some of our positive actions.
The Ravens loss, according to Ryans, was “not a moral win.” The Texans and Stroud, though, are pleased with their season.
In his first season starting in Aaron Rodgers’ place, Love accomplished a great deal. He assisted the Packers (10-9) in overcoming a 2–5 season opening loss to secure a postseason berth. After that, he led Green Bay to victory against the top-seeded 49ers last week with a three-touchdown effort in a wild-card victory at Dallas.
To start the second half and give the Packers the lead, Love completed back-to-back drives with touchdown passes. Midway through the third quarter, he led Green Bay to a 21-14 lead after throwing a 19-yard pass to Bo Melton to make it 13-7. He then added a 2-yard pass to Tyler Kraft and a 2-point conversion to Aaron Jones.
In nine or so games, Love finished with 23 touchdown passes and just one interception thanks to that, but his streak of ball security ended at an inopportune moment.
In order to set up a field goal by the 49ers, he threw his first interception since December 11 and went three and out on the following drive.
Green Bay gained scoring position after a lengthy run by Aaron Jones, but the Packers faltered, and rookie Anders Carlson missed a 41-yard field goal, his 12th incorrect kick in the previous 12 games.
With 1:07 remaining, Green Bay’s defense allowed the Niners to drive for the game’s winning touchdown. Love’s second interception put an end to any hope of a comeback.
“The play collapsed, stumbling to the right, spotted Christian (Watson) in the midst, and attempted to push one in,” Love remarked. “I didn’t see the other side and assumed I could make the play. They put on a fantastic play.
Love has shown a lot this season, which gives the Packers hope that he will be a capable backup to Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre.
Love was Aaron Rodgers’ backup for the first three seasons of his career, but he turned in a strong second half of the season to throw for 4,159 yards and 32 touchdowns.
“I believe he’s had a fantastic season,” head coach Matt LaFleur stated. I am aware that the outcome wasn’t what we had hoped for. First and foremost, as the team leader, I couldn’t be more proud of the man he is. This one will hurt him, I’m sure of it. He’ll be extremely critical of himself, I’m sure. All he needs to do is keep improving by using it as fuel.
Even though Love’s errors ultimately proved costly, the Packers did experience a number of problems. Two possible interceptions were thrown away, four drives inside San Francisco’s 25 resulted in just six points, Carlson missed a field goal, and the defense gave up the late touchdown.
For the Packers, it meant missing out on the Super Bowl for a record 13 seasons in a row.
“We just didn’t do enough, in my opinion, even though we had plenty of opportunity to put the game out of reach,” LaFluer said. Never is it just one play. There were several possibilities, but I’m sure the missed field goal will play a big part in it. Make a comeback, score six points, and have three red zone opportunities in the first half. There were numerous plays in the area. We will most likely have a different outcome at this time if one play goes differently.
