Jordan Love endured one of, if not his toughest night as a full-time starter the last time the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers met.
The Lions got to him for five sacks under the lights at Lambeau Field in their 34-20 win back in late September. Love also threw two interceptions, with the Packers falling into a 27-3 halftime deficit.
But it’s been arrow up for the young quarterback since that meeting. And the Lions see an improved and more comfortable starter ahead of their date with the Packers in the annual Thanksgiving game.
“I just think he’s connecting on some of these throws, man,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said. “I feel like he’s always been pretty poised, really. Some of these connections haven’t, they haven’t been able to connect on some of the critical moments. I feel like he’s making those.
“He looks pretty composed. He’s certainly athletic enough. He’s got big-arm talent.
The Packers have enjoyed a ho-hum campaign, no doubt. They’re 4-6, and while we’re talking about improvement from their quarterback, this is a franchise that’s lost five of their last seven games.
Still, Love has done more than enough to instill confidence in their decision to roll with the 25-year-old moving forward.
Just look to last week’s close win over the Los Angeles Chargers for an idea.
Love was strong, hitting 27-of-40 passes for 322 yards and two touchdown with no interceptions. And he had social media drooling over one of his throws while moving across the field and throwing across his body with impressive precision.
Love’s improvement starting taking shape and gaining attention in Week 9, with his three games against the Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers and Chargers the best of his first year under center.
Pro Football Focus ranks Love eighth among quarterback through the previous three games. That’s eight spots ahead of Lions quarterback Jared Goff int he same span, for an idea of the company he’s sharing.
He’s thrown for 840 yards with five touchdowns an two interceptions in those three outings. He hasn’t run much, taking off only nine times for 18 yards.
There’s definitely a lot of learning,” Love said after the win over the Chargers. “Obviously, we’re a young offense. We’re building and we’re just continuing to stack days, but it’s so much learning that goes into it behind the scenes.
“The guys are just continuing to work every day, continuing to grow and learn from every rep, mistakes, things like that that happen on the field and just store that information and learn and grow as players. But I like the trajectory the offense is going on right now, for sure.”
Detroit’s defense will look to replicate its efforts from the first meeting between these two divisional rivals. They punched the Packers in the mouth early and often, then did enough to protect the lead.
Aaron Jones is at risk of missing this week’s Thanksgiving classic in Detroit after exiting Week 11′s win with a knee injury. The star running back didn’t practice to open the week, with A.J. Dillon set to handle an increased workload.
Jones was making his return to the lineup that last time these two met, so the Lions are used to preparing for the Packers when unsure if their stud back will be out there.
“I think they’re still going to want to — I think for the most part, they’re no different than everybody else,” Campbell said. “They have these principles with what they do in the run game, and to play pass off of it to boot off of it. And even if it keeps you honest, they’re going to want to do some of that.