Jordan Love Leads Packers to Convincing 38-20 Victory Over Bears in His QB1 Debut
In his inaugural game as the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, Jordan Love’s vision of a triumphant evening at Soldier Field became a reality. Love’s performance was nothing short of stellar, delivering three touchdowns, 245 yards, and a remarkable display that culminated in a dominant 38-20 win over the Chicago Bears.
This victory marked the ninth consecutive win for the Packers over their arch-rivals, the Bears, and their fifth consecutive triumph at Soldier Field. Love’s impressive debut outshone the inaugural starts of Packers legends Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre against the Bears, according to NFL Research. Favre suffered a loss, throwing for 214 yards with a 1/1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 69.0 rating. Rodgers, on the other hand, secured a win while passing for 227 yards, with a 2/1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 105.8 rating.
Despite a close 10-6 halftime score, the Packers surged ahead decisively in the second half. Love connected with Aaron Jones for a 35-yard touchdown and Romeo Doubs for his second TD of the game, establishing a commanding 31-14 lead early in the third quarter. Rookie backup Sean Clifford took over at quarterback for the Packers in the later stages of the game, allowing Love to savor his triumphant Sunday.
Reflecting on the win, Love emphasized the significance of the victory in a storied rivalry and acknowledged the competitiveness of the game. He stated, “Obviously, my first game in this rivalry, so I mean it felt good. They’re a good team. Obviously, first half was close and second half, the way we just bounced back and came out there in the second half and just total domination. It felt good.”
Furthermore, Love expressed his appreciation for the win and the importance of not taking victories for granted.
With high expectations placed on Love as he steps into the shoes of the departed Aaron Rodgers, the 24-year-old quarterback achieved his first NFL victory as a starting QB and secured a notable win in the historic Packers-Bears rivalry.
Head coach Matt LaFleur conveyed his unwavering belief in Love and the support of his teammates. He mentioned, “There’s a big-time belief in that locker room for Jordan Love. I think the guys are going to rally around him. They’re excited for him. They love him, they respect him.”
In his quest to follow in the footsteps of two legendary Packers quarterbacks, Love’s exceptional performance in his debut as QB1 represents a promising step in the right direction.
As Love aptly summarized, “Obviously, that was the plan for us, coming in here and starting off the season in the right way. I thought we did that in all phases.”