The defense did its part to slow down Rodgers, but the offense’s ability to drive up and down the field, not punting in the second half, turned the game into a flurry.
Love finished with a career-high 134.2 passer rating. Sunday night was QB’s fourth game with multiple TDs and zero INTs, 16th such game of his career; only Patrick Mahomes has more such games (19) in his first 40 starts, according to NFL Research.
Love’s near-perfect outing included 20 consecutive plays from the second to the fourth quarter, tied for the longest streak in a game by a Packers QB with Brett Favre (Week 12, 2007).
Setting a record against Rodgers, whom Love grew up under during his first three seasons in Green Bay, highlighted the quarterback’s breakout campaign. The 26-year-old has been dynamic with the ball but has reduced the turnovers that have plagued him in recent seasons. Love is a mix of both of his predecessors – Favre’s gun mentality and penchant for the big play, and Rodgers’ efficiency and precision, especially on the move.
“The legacy that [Rodgers] left, I’d say Jordan is filling those shoes,” Packers’ Tucker Kraft said. “When you’re talking about Favre to Rodgers to Love, Jordan has stepped up and lived up to his contract.”
The QB has led the 5-1-1 Packers to the top of the NFC with an offense that has rolled over opponents. Green Bay has won four games decided by two plus balls; only the 7-1 Indianapolis Colts have more (five). The Packers have six games this season with 27-plus points (only the IND has more through seven).
Through 40 career starts, Love’s and Rodgers’ stats are virtually identical.
- Love: 23-16-1 WL, 7.6 pass yds/att, 71-25 pass TD-INT, 98.4 pass yds/att
- Rodgers: 22-18 WL, 7.8 pass yds/att, 70-29 pass TD-INT, 95.9 pass yds/att
“He played great, played great,” Rodgers said. “He’s had a really good season. He’s been very efficient with the football. He’s an opportunist, although I thought he was very patient tonight. He made the run solutions, he made the checks, he moved well in the pocket. I thought he played really well.”