GREEN BAY, Wis. — Jordan Love, the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, has expressed that the playoff defeat at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers has weighed heavily on his mind throughout the offseason.
This Sunday marks a chance for Love to seek some retribution as the Packers face the 49ers for the first time since their heartbreaking 24-21 loss in last season’s NFC divisional round, where they relinquished a fourth-quarter lead.
“That’s something that lingers all offseason, going back and reviewing that game, trying to pinpoint what you could have changed or improved upon,” Love reflected on Wednesday. “It certainly stays with you throughout the offseason, but then you have to move forward. Knowing that this is the team that ended our season makes us really eager for this matchup.”
In that fateful game, Love demonstrated his prowess by connecting on two touchdown passes in the third quarter, helping the Packers secure a 21-14 lead in the late stages of the match. These impressive throws to Bo Melton and Tucker Kraft came during an exceptional period where Love had amassed 21 touchdowns with just one interception over an eight-game stretch.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically with a crucial moment in the third quarter when Love’s pass intended for Kraft was intercepted by Dre Greenlaw on a third-and-11 play. This interception allowed the 49ers to score a field goal, narrowing the Packers’ lead to 21-17.
The 49ers ultimately took the lead when Christian McCaffrey scored a 6-yard touchdown run, leading to Love’s ill-fated attempt that resulted in another interception, sealing the game for San Francisco.
Love revealed that he reviewed that playoff game about three times during the offseason to analyze his performance, although he added that he didn’t spend extra time on it compared to other games from the previous season.
“No matter who you are, you’re going to take a moment to reflect on what you could have done differently to overcome that challenge,” he noted.
While the stakes may not be as high this Sunday at Lambeau Field, the matchup carries significant importance for both teams.
The 49ers, currently sitting at 5-5, are in pursuit of a playoff spot following a narrow 20-17 defeat to Seattle, sitting in a three-way tie for second place in the competitive NFC West.
Conversely, the Packers, with a 7-3 record, are focused on solidifying their position in the playoff race while aiming to climb higher in the NFC North standings, where they trail Detroit by two games. A healthier Love should provide a boost in their quest.
After missing two games in September due to a left knee injury and sitting out most of the second half in a recent win against Jacksonville with a groin issue, Love appears to be feeling much better. This was evident in the Packers’ recent 20-19 victory over Chicago, where he completed 13 of 17 passes for 261 yards, including one touchdown pass, a rushing touchdown, and one interception.
On Wednesday, Love expressed that he felt more comfortable moving than he has all season, a marked improvement from the initial week after suffering the knee injury in the season opener against Philadelphia.
This newfound agility could be crucial if Sunday’s game comes down to a last-minute drive. If faced with such a scenario, Love’s offseason reflections on the previous playoff loss might prove invaluable.
“The most significant lesson is that losing is hard, especially when it means being knocked out of the playoffs,” Love stated. “There will be elements we recognize, plays from their defense that challenged us, and things we executed effectively. So we will build on that for our approach this week.”
In team news, cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) didn’t participate in practice on Wednesday after sitting out the second half of the game against the Bears. Additionally, running back MarShawn Lloyd was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list after being activated from injured reserve earlier in the week. Packers coach Matt LaFleur confirmed that Lloyd has been dealing with appendicitis. Furthermore, wide receiver Alex McGough has been added to the practice squad.