Love said he appreciated the aggressiveness of his coach’s game plan, commending him for continuing to dial up big plays.
“It definitely felt like a real fun game to be part of,” he said.
Packers receivers Matthew Golden and Christian Watson deserve their fair share of the credit for the offense’s success, as well. They each had at least 160 receiving yards against the Patriots. Watson caught seven balls for 171 yards and a score, while Golden added 10 receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown of his own.
Love is on pace to shatter his career high in passing yards. He threw for 4,159 yards in 2022. At his current rate, he’ll throw for 4,945 if he plays in all 17 games.
The Packers have been able to light teams up despite having an inefficient rushing attack. Green Bay entered Sunday ranked last in expected points added per rush, according to Sumer Sports. The Packers had only 485 yards rushing all season before Sunday’s win, fewest in the NFL and more than 100 yards fewer than the 31st-ranked Houston Texans.
That means Love has had to carry the offense on his shoulders, and he has delivered.
“He’s standing in there, he’s taking hits, and he’s still dealing the ball,” LaFleur said, adding that he would agree that Love is playing at an MVP level.
Meanwhile, the defense has held up its end of the bargain. Green Bay went into Week 8 ranked in the top 10 in EPA per play defensively, and it was ranked in the top seven against both the run and the pass. On Sunday, the Packers forced Maye into one of his worst performances of the season.
After having thrown only two interceptions in his last five starts, Maye threw for three alone against Green Bay. The Packers now lead the NFL with 13 picks.
There’s no question Green Bay has the talent on both sides of the ball to be formidable in the postseason, but making it there will be an uphill climb. The Packers came out of Sunday’s game in the seventh and final playoff spot in the NFC, with the rest of the NFC North ahead of them and two 5-4 teams who made the playoffs a year ago (the Los Angeles Rams and the defending champion Seattle Seahawks) behind them.
Green Bay will at least have a chance to make up ground in the division next weekend, as it will host the first-place Minnesota Vikings.
“We gotta be able to regroup,” Love said. “The mindset just has to be complete focus and preparation on Minnesota. It’s all about getting back to work.”
