Packers QB Jordan Love FORGETS the ball in failed sneak attempt that turned into game-changing blunder against Falcons
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Jordan Love tasted defeat for the first time as the Packers’ starting quarterback in the cruelest of ways when he mistimed a fourth-and-one sneak that opened the door for the Falcons’ go-ahead touchdown drive in the dying minutes of Sunday’s game.
The 24-year-old said he deserved to be blamed for the failed sneak because he didn’t correctly call the play from the Green Bay 34 with the Packers leading 24-22 in the fourth quarter.
Love tried to call for the sneak but didn’t get the snap when expected and took off on the plunge without the ball.
Green Bay resulted in being penalized for a false start and had to punt, setting up Atlanta’s go-ahead drive capped by Younghoe Koo’s 25-yard field goal with 57 seconds remaining.
‘Yeah, just messed up the operation with the cadence on that one,’ Love said after the 25-24 loss, which was Green Bay’s first of the season after beating the Bears on opening week.
Not everybody got the call to get the sneak, so I messed that operation up right there.’
He later added: ‘I said the wrong thing. It’s pretty much not a play until I give the live word, pretty much, and I gave the wrong live word on that one.’
Asked if he forgot the live word, Love said he ‘just messed it up.’
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters after the game that Love had the option to change the play at the line ‘if he thought he could get it on the sneak then it’s on him to check to it.
‘I think he did. And nobody heard him. I mean it was loud and, you know, that’s just it’s an unfortunate situation,’ added the 43-year-old. it was a crucial part of the Packers’ frustrating fourth quarter. Green Bay led 24-12 before the Falcons rallied. The Packers gained 11 yards on three fourth-quarter possessions.
Love was 0-for-6 passing in the decisive quarter.
‘I think it just comes down to execution and being better in the fourth quarter and being able to play a full game,’ Love said. ‘I think we didn’t execute well enough in the fourth quarter, weren’t able to move the ball on third down. That’s really what hurt us.’
Love’s overall statistics were far more positive. He completed 14 of 25 passes for 151 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also had added two carries for 23 yards.
Love was sacked only once, by Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss in the first quarter.
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Jordan Love dealt huge blow as he prepares to succeed Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay
Jordan Love is finally the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers after serving as the backup to Aaron Rodgers for three years. But he will be without star receiver Christian Watson against the Chicago Bears.
Selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Love is finally hoping to deliver on the expectation placed upon him when the Packers drafted him to compete with Rodgers — amid immense uproar. Love joined the NFC North franchise before the four-time MVP was willing to hand over the reins of the offense, which created plenty of tension within the organisation.
Love finally will get his shot in 2023, but he faces a difficult opening game in Chicago without at least one of his top two receivers. On Friday, head coach Matt LaFleur announced Watson would miss the clash against the Bears due to a hamstring injury.
Watson landed on the injury report this week after making it through training camp without missing a single practice. He took part in both sessions last week following the last preseason game, so it’s unclear when the receiver sustained the injury.
LaFleur suggested Watson’s injury was hopefully a week-to-week thing, which potentially rules out injured reserve. He told reporters: “Well, we still had a whole week to kind of prepare for this, so I wouldn’t say that would alter the plan too drastically.
“I think any time you’re missing one of your better players, certainly throws a little curveball to it. But I mean, that happens all the time. Shoot, [Kansas City] Chiefs had to deal with that last night (with Travis Kelce).”
Last season, Watson missed three games because of a hamstring injury. In 14 games last season, Watson caught 41 passes for 611 yards and seven touchdowns.
LaFleur suggested Watson’s injury was hopefully a week-to-week thing, which potentially rules out injured reserve. He told reporters: “Well, we still had a whole week to kind of prepare for this, so I wouldn’t say that would alter the plan too drastically.
“I think any time you’re missing one of your better players, certainly throws a little curveball to it. But I mean, that happens all the time. Shoot, [Kansas City] Chiefs had to deal with that last night (with Travis Kelce).”
Last season, Watson missed three games because of a hamstring injury. In 14 games last season, Watson caught 41 passes for 611 yards and seven touchdowns.
LaFleur suggested Watson’s injury was hopefully a week-to-week thing, which potentially rules out injured reserve. He told reporters: “Well, we still had a whole week to kind of prepare for this, so I wouldn’t say that would alter the plan too drastically.
“I think any time you’re missing one of your better players, certainly throws a little curveball to it. But I mean, that happens all the time. Shoot, [Kansas City] Chiefs had to deal with that last night (with Travis Kelce).”
Last season, Watson missed three games because of a hamstring injury. In 14 games last season, Watson caught 41 passes for 611 yards and seven touchdowns.
