GREEN BAY – Who said anything about a thumb injury?
Granted, it's to his non-throwing left thumb, but Jordan Love certainly didn't look like a quarterback who underwent surgery 26 days prior and missed roughly two weeks of training camp.
Love was pretty locked in from the get-go in this one, a well-controlled 27-13 Packers victory over the Lions at Lambeau Field to open the season.
Fast start? How 'bout 10 points before the game's first 11 minutes had elapsed.
Third downs? How 'bout four straight conversions to start the game, on four completions for 68 yards, including a 15-yard TD to Tucker Kraft.
Quick strike? How 'bout a 48-yard bomb to Romeo Doubs on a post route to start the third drive of the game, followed by a 17-yard TD toss to Jayden Reed. Two plays, 65 yards, and a 17-3 lead.
Sharing the wealth? How 'bout 10 different targets catching his 16 completions. Nobody had more than three receptions in this game, and better yet, nobody cared.
That last item might be the most reassuring for Love as a new season gets underway. Third downs and big plays can come and go, but he plans on using too many weapons for the defense to keep track of as often as he can.
"We've got playmakers all around and guys that can all come in here and catch the rock and make plays," Love said. "I think that's what you want as an offense, be able to spread the wealth around and keep their defense on their heels on who we're going to be targeting."
Head Coach Matt LaFleur admitted it'll be a challenge to keep so many guys involved all the time, but in the same breath he would acknowledge it beats the alternative.
"We've got a lot of guys that we feel real comfortable getting the ball to," he said.
That comfort level was augmented by stellar pass protection Sunday, as Love was hardly harassed, if at all. He was bouncing on both feet in the pocket, scanning the field, and delivering with confidence.
Lions star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who has done his share of damage against the Packers in his brief career and was returning from last year's broken leg, was a non-factor. He didn't record a tackle, was credited with one QB hit, and the only other time he got near Love he was flagged for unnecessary roughness on an interception return (the turnover was wiped out by another penalty).
Love's sparkling 128.6 passer rating was his highest since last Thanksgiving, the highest of his three season openers to date, and tied for his second highest in a regular-season game thus far.
It wasn't a perfect offensive showing, though. LaFleur lamented the "lull" that came after scoring 17 points on those first three drives, and the offense didn't convert another third down after those four straight to start the game, going 0-6 the rest of the way, including a pair of failed third-and-1 runs that frustrated everyone. Love also had one very poor throw almost intercepted by linebacker Alex Anzalone.
But any questions about the missed time in training camp or potential limitations with the left thumb were answered. Those were legitimate concerns, especially with such a daunting start to the schedule, playing the two-time defending NFC North champion Lions right out of the gate, followed by the team that dominated Detroit in the playoffs last January, the Washington Commanders, four days later.
With Love on his game and the defense standing tall, the Packers are halfway to a tremendously advantageous beginning to their season, given these first two opponents and a road-heavy segment to follow. After Thursday night, the Packers will play four of their next five away from home, with their Week 5 bye mixed in.
But for now, one down, and an important one at that.
"Big picture, it all starts with the NFC North," Love said. "So to have a North team come in here Week 1 and be able to get the job done and go 1-0 in the North is the start we wanted right there."
