Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Love Seeks Redemption as Packers Prepare for 49ers Rematch
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 months ago on
November 21, 2024

Quarterback Jordan Love and the Packers meet the 49ers again on Sunday for the first time since the Packers squandered a fourth-quarter lead and fell 24-21 to the 49ers in last season's NFC divisional round. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

GREEN BAY — Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love doesn’t hide the fact that the playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers lingered with him throughout the offseason.

Love can gain some measure of revenge Sunday when these two teams face off for the first time since the Packers squandered a fourth-quarter lead and fell 24-21 to the 49ers in last season’s NFC divisional round.

“That’s what you’ve got to kind of just sit with all offseason, is going back, watching that game, trying to see what you could have done better, could have done differently in that game,” Love said Wednesday. “It definitely sits with you through the offseason, and obviously you move on. Just knowing that that’s the team that knocked us out, we’re definitely hungry for this game.”

Love’s Late-Season Success Overshadowed by Playoff Loss

Love threw two third-quarter touchdown passes to continue his sizzling late-season run as Green Bay carried a 21-14 lead in the final quarter. Those two scoring strikes to Bo Melton and Tucker Kraft followed a nine-game stretch in which Love had thrown 21 touchdown passes with only one interception.

But with the Packers facing third-and-11 from their 48 later in the third quarter, Dre Greenlaw picked off Love’s pass intended for Kraft. The 49ers kicked a field goal on their ensuing possession to cut Green Bay’s lead to 21-17.

And after Christian McCaffrey’s 6-yard touchdown run put the 49ers ahead for good with 1:07 left, Love rolled right and threw a wild pass across his body that Greenlaw also intercepted to seal the Packers’ fate.

Love said he watched the game about three times during the offseason to see what went wrong, tough he noted that he didn’t necessarily view it any more times than he had other Packers games from last season.

“No matter who it was, you’re going to sit and reflect on what you could have done better to get over that hump,” Love said.

High Stakes for Both Teams in Upcoming Matchup

The stakes aren’t quite the same Sunday at Lambeau Field, but the game still has plenty of meaning for both teams.

San Francisco (5-5) is trying to work its way back into the playoff picture and bounce back from a 20-17 home loss to Seattle. The 49ers are in a three-way tie for second place and a game behind Arizona in the NFC West.

The Packers (7-3) want to maintain their playoff position while trying to work their way up in the NFC North standings, where they’re currently in third place and two games behind Detroit. They should benefit down the stretch from a healthier Love.

Love’s Improved Health Boosts Packers’ Offense

Love missed two games in September with an injured left medial collateral ligament and sat out most of the second half of an Oct. 27 victory at Jacksonville with a groin strain, but he’s feeling better now. That was evident Sunday as he showed plenty of mobility while going 13 of 17 for 261 yards with one touchdown pass, one touchdown run and an interception in a 20-19 triumph at Chicago.

Love said Wednesday he felt as comfortable moving around in the Bears game as he has since the first week of the season. Love’s knee injury happened during Green Bay’s final series of a season-opening 34-29 loss to Philadelphia.

That could prove critical if Sunday’s game again comes down to a drive in the final minute. If that happens, perhaps Love’s offseason viewings of the Packers’ playoff loss will pay off for him.

“The main takeaway is it sucks losing, obviously getting knocked out of the playoffs,” Love said. “There’s going to be things that we see, I think, plays that we’ll see, things that they did on defense that gave us fits and things that we did well. So just building on that for this week.”

NOTES: CB Jaire Alexander (knee) didn’t practice Wednesday after missing the second half of the Bears game. … RB MarShawn Lloyd went on the reserve/non-football illness list. Lloyd was activated from injured reserve Monday after dealing with an ankle issue that has kept him out since a Sept. 15 victory over Indianapolis. Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Friday that Lloyd had appendicitis. … WR Alex McGough was signed to the practice squad.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Florida State Gunman Used Deputy Mom’s Former Service Weapon, Authorities Say

DON'T MISS

Giants Befuddled by Sánchez’s Changeup in Loss to the Phillies

DON'T MISS

Trump Officials’ Defiance Over Abrego Garcia’s Deportation Is ‘Shocking,’ Appeals Court Says

DON'T MISS

Jane Fonda Packs the Saroyan Theatre, Delivers an Empowering Message

DON'T MISS

AOC Emerges as Top Democratic White House Contender for 2028

DON'T MISS

Why Fresno Unified Tried to Keep Superintendent Search Secret

DON'T MISS

White House Eyes Overhaul of Federal Housing Aid to the Poor

DON'T MISS

Dems Step Up Trump Resistance as Base Hungers for More of a Fight

DON'T MISS

2 Killed and 5 Hurt in Florida State University Shooting; Gunman in Custody

DON'T MISS

Fresno Unified Trustees Passed Over a National Superintendent of the Year

UP NEXT

Giants Befuddled by Sánchez’s Changeup in Loss to the Phillies

UP NEXT

Trump Officials’ Defiance Over Abrego Garcia’s Deportation Is ‘Shocking,’ Appeals Court Says

UP NEXT

Jane Fonda Packs the Saroyan Theatre, Delivers an Empowering Message

UP NEXT

AOC Emerges as Top Democratic White House Contender for 2028

UP NEXT

White House Eyes Overhaul of Federal Housing Aid to the Poor

UP NEXT

Dems Step Up Trump Resistance as Base Hungers for More of a Fight

UP NEXT

2 Killed and 5 Hurt in Florida State University Shooting; Gunman in Custody

UP NEXT

Fresno Unified Trustees Passed Over a National Superintendent of the Year

UP NEXT

Hamas Ready to Release All Remaining Hostages for End to Gaza War, Hamas’ Gaza Chief Says

UP NEXT

Ford Recalls More Than 148,000 Vehicles, NHTSA Says

Jane Fonda Packs the Saroyan Theatre, Delivers an Empowering Message

7 hours ago

AOC Emerges as Top Democratic White House Contender for 2028

8 hours ago

Why Fresno Unified Tried to Keep Superintendent Search Secret

9 hours ago

White House Eyes Overhaul of Federal Housing Aid to the Poor

9 hours ago

Dems Step Up Trump Resistance as Base Hungers for More of a Fight

9 hours ago

2 Killed and 5 Hurt in Florida State University Shooting; Gunman in Custody

9 hours ago

Fresno Unified Trustees Passed Over a National Superintendent of the Year

9 hours ago

Hamas Ready to Release All Remaining Hostages for End to Gaza War, Hamas’ Gaza Chief Says

10 hours ago

Ford Recalls More Than 148,000 Vehicles, NHTSA Says

11 hours ago

Supreme Court to Hear Arguments on Trump Plan to End Birthright Citizenship

11 hours ago

Florida State Gunman Used Deputy Mom’s Former Service Weapon, Authorities Say

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The 20-year-old son of a sheriff’s deputy opened fire Thursday at Florida State University with his mother’s...

7 hours ago

7 hours ago

Florida State Gunman Used Deputy Mom’s Former Service Weapon, Authorities Say

7 hours ago

Giants Befuddled by Sánchez’s Changeup in Loss to the Phillies

7 hours ago

Trump Officials’ Defiance Over Abrego Garcia’s Deportation Is ‘Shocking,’ Appeals Court Says

7 hours ago

Jane Fonda Packs the Saroyan Theatre, Delivers an Empowering Message

8 hours ago

AOC Emerges as Top Democratic White House Contender for 2028

9 hours ago

Why Fresno Unified Tried to Keep Superintendent Search Secret

9 hours ago

White House Eyes Overhaul of Federal Housing Aid to the Poor

9 hours ago

Dems Step Up Trump Resistance as Base Hungers for More of a Fight

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend