The Packers may have lost to the Vikings in Week 1, but it wasn’t because of Jordan Love. He had himself a day, carving up Brian Flores’ defense for 387 yards and 5 completions of 30 yards or more.
Flores’ defense isn’t an easy one to accomplish this against. The looks they provide and the pressure they apply make it nearly impossible for a quarterback to know what’s going to happen until after the ball is snapped. And if you wait too long to decipher it all, you get ear-holed by a pass rusher.
Throughout most of Sunday’s season opener, with the Vikings applying constant pressure (87% blitz rate, 54% pressure rate according to PFF), Love delivered big-time throw after big-time throw:
The below throw is tough enough to make from a clean pocket. For him to put it over the flat defender like he did with a pass rusher at his legs is impressive to say the least:
Love’s ability to stand tall in the pocket and deliver the ball knowing he was about to get hit played a big role in his success on Sunday. Watch him make this throw with a defender bearing down on him. It required tremendous anticipation:
That ball was out well before his receiver had gotten his head around.
On this next snap, watch Love navigate the pressure, move in the pocket, and then deliver a precise ball about 30 yards downfield between two defenders:
Ridiculous.
On this last example, you can see a little bit more of what Love’s physical talent allows him to do.
On this boot to the right, the deep safety started cheating to the side of the boot, assuming that the throw would likely go in the same direction as Love was moving. But Love surprised him by throwing downfield across his body, which most QB’s don’t have the ability to do:
The Packers lost this game because they couldn’t convert on a 4th-and-1, didn’t finish drives (they were 1 for 4 in the red zone), and committed two key turnovers late, which were due in large part to protection busts and poor blocking.
The good news for Green Bay is that the rest of the NFL doesn’t play defense like Brian Flores and the Vikings do. I think the Packers will be able to settle things down from a protection standpoint. And I think Love is going to have a big year.