Dec 3, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) talks with Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Charles Omenihu (90) following the Packers 27-19 victory at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Wm. Glasheen-USA TODAY Sports
The Green Bay Packers improved to 6-6 after defeating the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs 27-19. Both the offense and defense played about as well as anyone could have expected in a game in which the Packers never trailed. The defense sacked Patrick Mahomes three times, and Keisean Nixon had the game’s only turnover, an interception in the fourth quarter.
The story of the night, however, was Jordan Love’s continued improvement and dominance, on whom Green Bay bet their future when they traded four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets. Love finished the game with 267 passing yards after completing 25 of 36 passes (69.4%) and three touchdown passes.
It was Love’s second consecutive game with three touchdowns and no interceptions, and his fourth of the season. He is tied for the most such games in the NFL this season with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.
Green Bay Packers’ Jordan Love and Ben Sims Set NFL Record with First Touchdown Against Kansas City Chiefs
Following the game, two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark made a bold statement about his young quarterback.
Green Bay Packers Defensive Tackle Kenny Clark Demands Jordan Love’s Respect
Clark had a strong performance against the Chiefs. He recorded five total tackles, including 0.5 sacks, and two quarterback hits. The defending Super Bowl champion offense was also held to 19 points by the defense as a whole.
However, before taking any questions from the media following the game, Clark had one thing he wanted to say about the Packers’ dynamic young quarterback:
Clark, along with many other Packers players, spent the offseason and the first few months of the 2023 NFL season defending Love. They always believed in him and had his back. The national media didn’t think so, and neither did a vocal group of Packers fans.
Love now has 2,866 yards passing, 22 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and a 90.2 quarterback rating. To put that in context, Rodgers had 2,897 yards, 20 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and a 91.7 passer rating in his first 12 games as the Packers’ starter in 2008. Rodgers’ Packers are 6-6, while Love’s are 5-7.
While he is not yet a finished product, Love has demonstrated that the concerns about his play were unfounded. He hasn’t been flawless this season, but he has done exactly what the Packers hoped he would: improved in every game.
Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers are in contention for the NFL playoffs.
Green Bay’s defense, of which Clark is a key component, has not allowed an opponent to score 24 points in eight consecutive games. The offense scored 27 points against the defending champions, the most by any team this season.
The Packers are playing their best all-around football of the season, and it’s not a stretch to say it. One could even argue that they’re playing better than they were at one point last season.
Everything is falling into place for Green Bay, which has surpassed the Seattle Seahawks for the seventh and final spot in the NFC Playoff picture with the win.
The Packers’ path forward is straightforward: win and they’re in.
