On Sunday, Jordan Love, in his first season as starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, threw for 316 yards and connected with Dontavyion Wicks on a pair of touchdowns, leading the Packers to the 2024 playoffs.
In order to make the playoffs, the Packers needed one more win, which they received by beating the Bears for the 10th consecutive time. Not only did the win guarantee them a spot in the upcoming playoffs, but it also maintains their streak of beating the Bears, continuing their historic rivalry.
The Packers started off the season with a record of 2-5. They were resilient enough to bounce back by winning 7 of their last 10 games, including 3 in a row.
“I think everyone knew what we were capable of,” Love said. “All the games we lost were close games that we knew there were little things we could fix that would put us over the hump to win those games. I think we were always right there in every game, so that was the thing that was easy for us to keep believing.”
Green Bay found themselves in a similar position last year for their regular-season finale, but lost 20-16 at home to the Detroit Lions, which also was Aaron Rodgers last game with the Packers. The Packers then traded Rodgers to the New York Jets to make room for Jordan Love, a 2020 first-round draft pick from Utah State.
In light of the Packers pulling through to make it to the playoffs, Jordan Love accomplished something in his first season as starting quarterback that four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers failed to achieve last year.
Over his past eight games, Love led the NFL’s youngest team to the playoffs by throwing 18 touchdown passes and one interception.
“I said it back in camp: He’s the best quarterback in the league,” Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander said. “And he’s been proving it these past few weeks.”