What We Learned From Week 9 in the N.F.L.

The result was a 13-7 loss that could end up costing the team dearly in the race for the N.F.C.’s No. 1 seed in the playoffs. There were moments of optimism. Love came alive in the fourth quarter to finish 19 of 34 on his passing attempts for 190 yards, but the Packers struggled to adjust to the second-year quarterback in a hostile environment. Green Bay looked especially ineffectual on third down, converting just two of 12 chances against a defense that has been horrendous this season.

Kansas City’s plan on defense was clear: Blitz the life out of Love. Steve Spagnuolo, the Kansas City defensive coordinator, dared Love to make split-second decisions. Spagnuolo won that bet a lot more often than he lost it, with Love taking seven hits and often forced to let it fly deep up the sideline.

Still, the game provided the Packers’ front office with its first extended look at Love outside the preseason and scout team reps.

Despite doomsday narration from color commentator Troy Aikman, Love, a 23-year-old out of Utah State, made some big-time throws — especially in the fourth quarter. Love drove the Packers from their 4-yard line to Kansas City’s 24, converting on fourth-and-1 along the way, before throwing a pick on a 50-50 lob to Davante Adams.

When the Packers got the ball back, Love threw his first career touchdown pass.

As the pocket caved on him again, Love hung tough to hit Allen Lazard for a 20-yard score on fourth-and-5.

He clearly has athleticism and a strong arm, traits that made him worthy of the 26th overall pick in the 2020 draft and which give him a shot at being great.

Of course, Love started the game because Aaron Rodgers tested positive for coronavirus this week, setting off a media whirlwind concerning his vaccination status. His absence, and the distraction caused by his vaccination comments, were less than ideal for a team that’s in full Super Bowl-or-Bust mode mostly because this could be Rodgers’s final season as a Packer.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/07/sports/football/nfl-week-9-scores.html