Tag: Love

Nov 18, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) warms up before the game against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Top 10 Player Props For NFL Week 12

Posted on | by Field Level Media

If watching the Cleveland Browns upset the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football makes you think twice about betting on Sunday games — well, you don’t have to. If you don’t want to fall victim to the next upset, bet on one of the many NFL player props offered by online sportsbooks instead.

“Many” doesn’t really do the number of player props available for each game justice; there easily be a couple of hundred per game. But don’t worry about needing to review them all. All you need to do is take a look at our top 10 NFL player props for Week 12, listed in no particular order.

NFL Week 12: Player Props

Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders

Cooper Rush, O/U 201.5 passing yards at -115/-115 (BetMGM)
O/U 33.5 pass attempts at -102/-128 (FanDuel)
O/U 18.5 completions at -130/+100 (DraftKings)

For most of the season, the Cowboys have insisted on trying to establish the run even though they must know it isn’t a strength. But they changed course in their Week 11 loss to the Houston Texans, and Cooper Rush threw 55 passes, of which 32 were caught for 354 yards.

It might seem hard to believe after the 13-for-23, 45-yard debacle in a 34-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 10, but Rush is not a bad quarterback. After all, he was 5-1 as a starter when called to fill in for Dak Prescott in the 2021 and ‘22 seasons.

Just as they did when they lost 34-10 to the Texans, the Cowboys will fall behind against the Commanders and will need to pass if they are going to try to catch up. So, the volume of attempts for Rush will be there again, as will the yardage against a lackluster Washington pass defense.

Don’t expect Rush to throw the ball 50-plus times again, but his attempts aren’t likely to fall in the mid-20s, either, as in the previous two starts. Opponents are averaging 27.1 attempts per game vs. Washington — but they are also running the ball 30.5 times per game.

Dallas will not run the ball 30 times; they average 21.5 carries per game this season. Take the OVER for Rush passing yards.

If you’re going to take the OVER on his passing yards and attempts, then it almost makes sense to take the OVER for his pass completions. Opponents are completing 65.8 percent of their passes vs. the Commanders. At that rate, to clear 19.5 completions, he’ll need to throw roughly 30 passes.

Yeah, take the OVER.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New York Giants

Mike Evans, O/U 50.5 receiving yards at -115/-115 (BetMGM)
O/U 3.5 receptions at -140/+105 (BetMGM)

Baker Mayfield fared well in the first couple of games with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, but the dynamic duo suffered injuries in their Oct. 21 game against the Baltimore Ravens. Godwin is out for the season, but Evans is expected to return this week against the Giants.

If they are going to stay in the wild-card hunt, the Buccaneers will need to win this game after four consecutive losses. To that end, Mayfield probably will target his star wide receiver early and often. It would be surprising if he didn’t have four catches in the first half.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers

Christian McCaffrey, O/U 17.5 rushing attempts at +100/-130 (BetMGM)
O/U 108.5 rushing and receiving yards at -113/-115 (FanDuel)

Jordan Love, O/U 0.5 interceptions at -125/-105 (DraftKings)

With Brock Purdy out, the 49ers probably will lean on the run game. When you have the most dangerous offensive player in the NFL in your backfield — Christian McCaffrey — you should. He had 19 carries last week vs. Seattle. He’ll probably get a similar number this week, if not higher.

Without Purdy on the field and backup Brandon Allen in his place, it’s hard to know whether McCaffrey will be more productive for the passing game or the running game or equally proficient. But you typically can count on him being productive. He’s gone for 106 and 107 combined rushing and receiving yards, respectively, in the two games he’s played since his return from an injury that had sidelined him to start the season.

It would not be a stretch for him to get a few more yards and exceed a total of 108.5 rushing/receiving yards. Take the OVER.

Jordan Love has thrown at least one interception in every game he has played this season. The 49ers defense has 11 picks on the year. They’ll make it 12 — if not 13 or 14 — in this game. Take the OVER.

Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans

Tim Settle Jr. O/U .25 sacks at +105/-135 (DraftKings)
Joe Mixon, O/U 21.5 rushing attempts at -110/-120 (BetMGM)

The Houston defense is among the league leaders in sacks this season with 34. Tennessee’s quarterbacks are among the most sacked in the league. Danielle Hunter co-leads the team in sacks, making him a solid choice. However, the odds on his OVER are -176, while Tim Settle Jr. has plus money odds.

With the Titans having injury issues with the interior of the offensive line, a defensive tackle has a shot at breaking through and getting credit for at least half of a sack. Take the OVER.

The Texans have been at their best when Mixon is getting 20-plus carries; every time he has, he’s gone for 100-plus yards. It might be hard to gain 100 or more yards against the Titans’ defense, but Houston will make sure he gets his carries.

–Field Level Media

Nov 3, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws a pass during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Top 10 Player Props For NFL Week 11

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Week 11 of the NFL season got off to an exciting start with the Commanders vs. Eagles game on “Thursday Night Football.”

Bettors have the rest of Week 11 ahead of them, but they don’t have to settle for the traditional betting line if they don’t want to. No, each game comes with a healthy menu of player props.

Bettors can choose from over a thousand player props for the Sunday games. The following is a list of our top 10 player props for NFL Week 11 (in no particular order).

NFL Week 11: Player Props

Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears

Jordan Love, O/U 32.5 passing attempts at -102/-128 (FanDuel)

Opponents have averaged just over 30 attempts per game against the Bears this season and just over 27 in the last three. Why so few? Because foes don’t need to throw on the Bears.

Once teams get out to a sufficient lead, they lean heavily on the run to run time off the clock. That’s what the Patriots did when they beat the Bears last week, as did the Cardinals the week before.

Love has exceeded 32.5 attempts in four of his seven starts this season, including two of his past three. But don’t count on him to do it again, as the Packers will do like everyone else when they play the Bears and lean on the run game. Take the UNDER.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Joe Burrow, O/U 265.5 passing yards at -115/-115 (DraftKings)

Burrow widely is regarded as one of the better passers in the NFL. Anyone who watched him throw for 428 yards last week vs. the Ravens will probably agree with that sentiment. However, there are a couple of things working against Burrow going OVER this total.

For one, the Chargers have a solid pass defense that is allowing just 191.6 yards per game. While Burrow is averaging 267.2 passing yards per game, take away his two ridiculous outings against the Ravens, and his average is 231.5 yards per game. Take the UNDER.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens

George Pickens, O/U 68.5 receiving yards at -120/-110

George Pickens, longest reception, O/U 26.5 yards at -135/+100

George Pickens, O/U 4.5 Reception made at -130/+100

George Pickens, 75+ Receiving Yards at +110

*Odds via BetMGM

The Ravens can’t defend against the pass (league-worst 294.9 yards allowed per game). It’s been well-documented and evident whenever they play a competent quarterback. Russell Wilson appears to be one once again, and he has done a great job connecting with George Pickens on deep balls.

In Wilson’s three starts, the veteran quarterback hit Pickens with a long of 44, 43 and 34 yards. No one gives up more 20-plus-yard receptions than the Ravens (47). Wide receivers are averaging nearly 200 yards a game against the Ravens. If Wilson targets Pickens eight times, he will make at least five catches and almost certainly will go OVER 68.5 yards, if not 75+ as well.

Unless the Ravens suddenly figure out how to defend against the pass, Pickens will have a career day. Take the OVER for each prop.

Lamar Jackson, O/U 43.5 rushing yards at -127/-108 (Caesars)

Jackson has gone over this number in seven of 10 games this season but not in his past two. Against the Steelers, he will face one of the best run defenses in the game (No. 4, 87.1 ypg allowed). But they are not just good at stopping running backs. Pittsburgh is quite good at containing running quarterbacks.

The Steelers’ defense is one of the best at keeping quarterbacks from scrambling. Quarterbacks are running on 1.5 percent of dropbacks, the lowest rate in the league.

If Jackson sets his mind to it, he would clear 44 yards against the Steelers D, but they don’t need him to. That’s what they signed Derrick Henry for, so someone other than their quarterback can run for the tough yards. Take the UNDER.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Detroit Lions

Amon-Ra St. Brown, O/U 76.5 receiving yards at -105/-115 (DraftKings)

Jared Goff, O/U 228.5 passing yards at -113/-113 (FanDuel)

Jahmyr Gibbs, O/U 15.5 rushing attempts at +100/-130 (BetMGM)

Bonus: Jahmyr Gibbs, O/U 69.5 rushing yards at -113/-113 (FanDuel)

St. Brown has gone over this total just twice this season, vs. the Buccaneers in Week 2 and the Vikings in Week 7. The Jaguars do not have a defense that can contain him, but don’t count on him to go OVER 76.5 yards. Why not? The Lions will not need him to.

Detroit is a massive favorite in this game. Once the Lions get a comfortable lead, the offense will focus more on running the ball and eating up the clock. That is also why Goff will probably not go over 228.5 yards passing, a number he has gone over once in his past three games.

Take the UNDER for both.

As for Gibbs and his rushing attempts, he has gone over 15.5 carries just twice this season as he is in a committee with David Montgomery. (They both have 122 carries heading into this game). Thus, Gibbs is getting 13.6 attempts per game, so he would need at least two more to hit the OVER.

Assuming the Lions do lean on the run in the second half once the game is in hand, he would get closer to 20 carries and closer to 90-100 yards than 69.5. Take the OVER on both.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love looks on from the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Packers ‘encouraged’ but QB Jordan Love questionable for Sunday

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Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love practiced all week, inching ever closer to returning to the starting job he yielded to Malik Willis due to a sprained left knee in Week 1.

Love was limited in Friday’s practice and continues to wear a brace on his left knee. He was officially listed on the final injury report of the week as questionable.

“I think any time he’s out there, that’s encouraging. But again, we’ll see,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Friday.

Willis led the Packers to consecutive wins while Love was out, completing 73.5 percent of his passes for 324 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Willis is also averaging 9.5 yards per carry, rushing for 114 yards on 12 carries.

The Minnesota Vikings, who visit Green Bay on Sunday, spent the week preparing for both quarterbacks, defensive coordinator Brian Flores said. He was effusive in praise for LaFleur, saying the Green Bay scheme adopted for Willis appears to be a completely different offense.

“I don’t think it’s being talked about enough, what’s going on over there with Malik Willis,” Flores said. “It’s impressive to watch.”

Minnesota (3-0) gave up a total of 30 points in the first three games of the season and leads the NFL with 16 sacks.

Love said he felt like he was “close” to being ready to start last week at Tennessee. He had four total touchdowns in his last start against the Vikings, including one on the ground.

“I’m trying to push it and I’ve been trying to get back as fast as I can no matter who the opponent was,” Love said.

Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander, likely to be assigned coverage of Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson on Sunday, appears to be less than certain to play this week, too, because of a quad issue. Alexander stayed indoors when the Packers were outside for the majority of Friday’s practice. Alexander was listed as questionable on Friday.

“That’s a concern, for sure. Every time a guy doesn’t practice, that’s a concern,” LaFleur said.

Packers offensive lineman Jordan Morgan (shoulder) is out.

–Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) is chased by Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus (44) during their football game Sunday, October 29, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Minnesota defeated Green Bay 24-10.

Packers QB Jordan Love ‘pushing it’ with Vikings up next

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Packers quarterback Jordan Love insists the all-gas approach he’s taking to playing this Sunday would be much the same even if the 3-0 Minnesota Vikings weren’t on their way to town.

Love said Wednesday after practice the Packers’ opponent adds no fuel to his fire to return for Week 4 from a knee injury he suffered in Week 1. Green Bay welcomes the undefeated Vikings to Lambeau Field with first place in the NFC North on the line Sunday.

“I’m trying to push it and I’ve been trying to get back as fast as I can no matter who the opponent was,” Love said.

Love said he felt like he was “close” to being ready last week at Tennessee. Instead, Malik Willis navigated the Packers to a second consecutive win.

Close won’t be good enough to get the green light from head coach Matt LaFleur this week. The Vikings have a league-leading 16 sacks and allowed only 30 total points in the first three games this season.

“They give you a lot of different looks, and much like we talk about the illusion of complexity where we like to give looks that are difficult on the defense, but simple for us, I feel like that’s what they do,” LaFleur said. “They have a system in place that makes it easy for their players, or easier for their players to go out there and execute. But it makes it extremely difficult on the offenses they are going against.”

Love and LaFleur credited Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores with exotic fronts and disguised coverage that amplify “headaches” for quarterbacks and playcallers alike.

“At the snap of the ball, (you’re) trying to figure out, ‘Are they bluffing (the blitz)? Are they coming?’” Love said. “It’s a challenging defense. Not going to sugarcoat it. But you’ve got to be able to go out there and play the game and find those completions and get the ball rolling.”

Minnesota can become the first team to ever record five-plus sacks in the first four games of a season. Last week, the Vikings joined the 2001 New Orleans Saints and 2000 Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the only teams since 1990 with at least five sacks in the first three games of the season.

“At the end of the day, it’s football and there’s always a risk of getting sacked or hit,” Love said. “I’ll (be) trying to get the ball out of my hands as quick as possible.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 5, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) is hugged by head coach Matt LaFleur after throwing a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman Imagn Images via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Packers QB Jordan Love questionable, ‘working through’ medicals

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Jordan Love cleared on-field practice tests on Friday but the Green Bay Packers are awaiting one final hurdle before the quarterback can return from a left knee injury that knocked him out of the Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Love, officially listed as questionable, is not yet medically cleared for Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans at Nashville. It’s possible but not certain Love could receive the green light and be Green Bay’s starter for that game.

“We’re working through that,” LaFleur said when asked if Love could be cleared to play this week.

LaFleur said Love would be involved in the decision and the Packers would give it “up until game time” before making their final call.

“There’s definitely a lot that’s up to him,” LaFleur said. “You don’t want to put somebody in that position. But he’s doing everything in his power. He wants to be out there more than anybody.”

Originally expected to miss 3-6 weeks with a sprained MCL in his left knee, Love practiced in a limited capacity with a compression sleeve on his leg Wednesday and a bulkier, metal-framed brace on Friday.

Without Love, the Packers would start Malik Willis for a second consecutive game. Drafted by the Titans in 2022, Willis was acquired by the Packers before the start of the season to be Love’s backup. He started last Sunday in a 16-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love who is out injured during the first quarter of their game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Packers hope Jordan Love can return to face Titans

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Green Bay Packers might get their starting quarterback back sooner than anticipated.

Jordan Love, who injured his knee Sept. 6 during the team’s season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil, practiced on Wednesday for the first time since the injury. He could return to the lineup Sunday when Green Bay travels to Nashville to meet the winless Tennessee Titans.

However, if Love sits out again, it would set up a matchup of backup Malik Willis opposing the franchise that drafted him in the third round in 2022. Traded to the Packers last month, Willis engineered last week’s 16-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts, hitting 12 of 14 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown.

Willis also flashed his mobility, rushing for 41 yards on six carries, and he finished with a 126.8 passer rating — far above his career mark of 49.4 entering the game.

“Things happened,” Willis said of his new organization. “So I’m here now and grateful to coach (Matt LaFleur) and the GM and everybody who’s a part of this.”

Willis played in 11 games across parts of two seasons for Tennessee, completing 35 of 66 passes for 350 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions. His time with the franchise was done from the moment coach Mike Vrabel made then-rookie Will Levis the starter last October.

Levis showed more than enough down the stretch, even though the Titans missed the playoffs, to earn the No. 1 job for this year. Now with his new team, Willis might be the quarterback tasked with getting the Packers to 2-1.

“I didn’t wake up thinking I was going to be traded,” he said after being dealt on Aug. 27. “So it definitely caught me by surprise. … It’s time to go.”

While Willis prepares in case he gets the start again, there is no question Levis is the guy in Tennessee. Still, first-year coach Brian Callahan wants to see Levis improve his decision-making, a problem area as the Titans started 0-2.

After tossing a game-changing pick-six in Tennessee’s season-opening loss at Chicago, Levis played better last week in the team’s second straight 24-17 defeat, this time to the New York Jets. He was 19 of 28 for 192 yards with a touchdown but also mixed in two turnovers.

One was an ill-advised lateral to Tony Pollard that turned a sack into a fumble that cost the Titans a chance to go up by two scores in the second quarter. The other was an interception that was cashed in for a tying touchdown just before halftime.

“I’m really pleased with how he played for the most part,” Callahan said of Levis. “I thought Will made a really nice improvement from Week 1 to Week 2.”

Look for Levis and Tennessee to get DeAndre Hopkins more involved in the passing game. Hopkins, a three-time All-Pro, caught a team-high 75 passes for 1,057 yards last year, his seventh 1,000-yard season, but has been limited to two grabs for 17 yards through this year’s first two games.

Tennessee had just one player miss the Wednesday practice due to an injury, running back Tyjae Spears (ankle). Green Bay was without four players on Wednesday: guard Elgton Jenkins (illness/glute), tackle Jordan Morgan (shoulder), wide receiver Jayden Reed (calf) and defensive back Carrington Valentine (ankle).

The Titans own an 8-6 lead in the all-time series with Green Bay, including a 3-0 mark in Nashville.

–Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) celebrates a 16-10 victory agianst the Indianapolis Colts during their football game Sunday, September 15, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Packers QB Jordan Love back at practice as limited participant

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Quarterback Jordan Love took the first step toward returning from a knee injury on Wednesday, participating in practice with the Green Bay Packers for the first time since he was hurt in the Sept. 6 opener in Brazil.

Officially listed as a limited participant, Love wore a sleeve stretching from above the knee to his ankle. He jumped from one leg to the other during position-specific warmups and hopped on two legs in team stretching.

Post-practice, Packers (1-1) head coach Matt LaFleur doused any questions seeking further detail on Love’s game-day status for Week 3 in Nashville against the Titans. LaFleur repeated multiple times “he was limited” when pressed about Love’s progress and participation Wednesday.

“It’s always great to have your quarterback out there, but we’ll see how he progresses throughout the course of the week,” LaFleur said.

Running back Josh Jacobs was also limited Wednesday, but LaFleur said there’s no reason to believe Jacobs would miss Week 3.

Jacobs shouldered a heavy workload with Love out last week to power the Packers past the Indianapolis Colts, 16-10. Jacobs had 151 rushing yards on 32 carries.

If Love is held out for a second consecutive game, the Packers are preparing Malik Willis to start again. He threw his first NFL touchdown pass to Dontayvion Wicks and completed 12 of 14 passes with 41 rushing yards on six carries against Indianapolis.

Willis was selected by the Titans in the third round (86th overall) of the 2022 draft.

–Field Level Media

Sep 6, 2024; Sao Paulo, BRA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) is assisted off the field after an injury during the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Neo Quimica Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Packers turn to Malik Willis; no IR stint for QB Jordan Love

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Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis was elevated to the starting role until Jordan Love returns from a knee injury.

Head coach Matt LaFleur said the Packers are going “day to day” with the evaluation of Love and won’t place him on injured reserve, an indication he could be back sooner than the four-week hiatus required by short-term IR.

“First of all, he’s got to get cleared. Until he gets cleared, those conversations don’t exist,” LaFleur said. “We will never put him in a position to mortgage the short-term for the future.”

Love was diagnosed with an MCL sprain. Love sustained the injury to his knee and was helped off the field with six seconds left in Friday night’s season-opening 34-29 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Willis was acquired from the Tennessee Titans last month and was the No. 2 quarterback behind Love entering Week 1. Sean Clifford steps into the backup role for Week 2 against the Colts, LaFleur said.

LaFleur said he couldn’t put a percentage on how much of the playbook Willis should be expected to know.

“He’ll know 100 percent of the game plan,” LaFleur said.

The 25-year-old Willis has made three career starts in 12 games. He rushed for 101 yards on 11 carries in the 2024 preseason with the Titans.

“You’ve got to play to your players’ strengths,” LaFleur said. “Whether that’s moving launch points, straight dropback, whatever it may be — play-actions — we’ll come up with whatever we feel like is going to give us the best opportunity to move the football.”

In his first two NFL seasons, Willis completed 35 of 66 passes for 350 yards with three interceptions. He also rushed 32 times for 144 yards (4.5 yards per attempt) with one touchdown.

–Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) during the second quarter in a 2024 NFC divisional round game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Packers focus on draft; contract for QB Jordan Love on radar

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More than a part of the long-term plan for the Packers, quarterback Jordan Love is the long-term plan in Green Bay.

Following the path of his scouting predecessors, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst plans to place contract negotiations with Love on the frontburner as soon as the 24-7 focus on the draft passes this weekend.

Gutekunst holds a league-high 11 draft picks and wants to add to his playoff roster behind Love, who is first eligible for a contract extension on May 3, one year after his most recent pact with the Packers.

“We believe in that process very, very much,” Gutekunst said. “Whether it goes back to Ron (Wolf) and Ted (Thompson), all the people who have left here and had success other places. … We believe in that. The draft is the lifeblood of this organization.”

Sean Clifford currently slots at Love’s backup, but the 2023 fifth-round pick can expect some company on the depth chart.

“Getting back to drafting multiple quarterbacks is something that I’ve wanted to do,” Gutekunst said.

Love, a first-round pick in 2020, overcame a shaky debut as the starter for the Packers to deliver an emphatic response to questions about his status as the heir to Aaron Rodgers. He finished second in the NFL with 32 touchdown passes in the regular season.

Love’s record-setting showing at Dallas in the Packers’ wild-card win and another strong showing on the road at San Francisco the following week, despite two interceptions, convinced Gutekunst and the scouting staff he was deserving of the mantle. Love played the 2023 season on a modified contract that replaced the fifth-year team option.

Last month at the owner’s meetings, Gutekunst confirmed preliminary negotiations were underway with Love, 25, targeting a long-term agreement.

“We want to make sure we do it the right way,” he said. “We’ve started, but it’s not something that’s going to go quickly, I don’t think. It’ll take some time.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 14, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) reacts after a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of the 2024 NFC wild card game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Smitten with Playoff Jordan, Packers shift focus to 49ers

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Special. Surgical. Home run.

All of those terms applied to Packers quarterback Jordan Love in his first playoff start, a stunning 48-point effort at Dallas on Sunday that is shifting the trajectory for Green Bay in real time.

Love completed 76.2 of his attempts with three touchdowns and narrowly missed a perfect quarterback rating with a late incompletion. He posted the highest QBR, a metric created by ESPN to measure QB play, in playoff history and no opponent has ever scored more points in a postseason game against Dallas.

“We believed in him from the beginning,” Packers running back Aaron Jones said. “We know it’s a process. It wasn’t all on him when we couldn’t pick up a first down. All 11 across the board have to be on the same page. We knew it would take time. You heard it from me and other players, ‘We were right there, right there, right there,’ and we’ve been able to get over that hump.”

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur also said he believed in Love when the franchise decided to dump Aaron Rodgers in an offseason trade with the Jets that cleared the stage and spotlight for Love.

Even LaFleur seemed shocked by what Love did in Dallas on Sunday.

“He’s a dude. He’s a real dude,” he said.

Love put the Packers in the end zone on six of their first seven drives.

Jones said he can sense defenses aren’t able to anticipate what’s coming and felt a shift that started with Love against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17.

“From then on, teams who tried to pressure him, he’s not exposed them, but had a good day against them,” said Jones. “We have dogs at receiver waiting to get one-on-one matchups. All we have to do up front is give Jordan a little bit of time and he’ll find an open receiver.”

Dallas didn’t record a sack or pressure for the first time this season and Love averaged 13.0 yards per attempt and 17.0 yards per completion. Those numbers put him in the top 10 in playoff history in both categories.

Love and the Packers, the youngest team to win in the playoffs in 50 years according to NFL Research, are on the road again in the divisional round. The NFC’s No. 7 seed goes to Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday night to measure up with the No. 1 seed San Francisco 49ers, who are rested after a bye week.

“We’ve been counted out a lot of the season, but everybody keeps battling, keeps competing,” said Love, whose team started 2-5. “I think it’s just noise on the outside. We’re not worried about it. We keep coming out here and showing what we’re about, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

–Field Level Media