The Packers’ Super Bowl window has been reopened by QB

admin | January 16, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

The Green Bay Packers were not anticipated to beat the Dallas Cowboys on wild-card weekend, let alone completely boat race the 12-win Dallas squad its route to a 48-32 thrashing.

The Packers were not expected to make the playoffs this year. Green Bay was expected to have an experimental “growing year” this year. General manager Brian Gutekunst had just traded four-time MVP and future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, and the Packers were content with simply learning about his replacement, Jordan Love.

And it appeared like they wouldn’t have much in the first quarter of the season. Early on, Love struggled, and the Packers “raced off” to a 2-5 start.

But something snapped in Love’s head around early November, and he and the Packers’ offense have been unstoppable since.

That was never more clear than in the playoffs versus Dallas, when Love walked into Jerry Jones’ masterpiece and made his own. He completed 16-of-21 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns, looking in perfect command of the offense while displaying otherworldly brilliance on many occasions.

Jordan Love is BUILT DIFFERENT pic.twitter.com/pEaRsjLyzH

— IKE Packers Podcast (@IKE_Packers) January 14, 2024

If you squinted, you could have thought Rodgers or a youthful Brett Favre was still at the helm for the Packers. Love has grown into a true superstar.

By defeating Dallas, the Packers set up a meeting with a familiar adversary in the San Francisco 49ers, and it would not be remarkable if the Pack was defeated by the NFC’s top seed. But the fact that Green Bay is still playing and competing not nearly a year after dealing Rodgers is a stunning revelation.

Took Jordan Love one season to go through the Josh Allen development arc.

Dude became a super hero in 18 games pic.twitter.com/ShssHZlU0X

— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) January 15, 2024

Love’s rise to popularity, on the other hand, will have an even greater impact on Green Bay’s future, because if this is him still “figuring it out,” what will he look like next season and beyond?

That applies to him just as much as it does to the offense surrounding him. Head coach Matt LaFleur is now reaping the benefits of a team that includes second-year players Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, and Christian Watson.

As Love rises, it stands to reason that the core nucleus of young, affordable talent will only improve.

Even if the Packers lose to the 49ers next weekend, Love has blasted up Green Bay’s Super Bowl window.