Less than a month ago, following the Week 15 loss to the Tampa Bay Bucs, it appeared unlikely—a 27% chance, to be exact—but after the Green Bay Packers defeated the Chicago Bears 17-9 in Sunday’s Lambeau Field regular-season finale, it became inevitable.
In his first season as the starting quarterback on a full-time basis, Love accomplished something that neither Aaron Rodgers nor Brett Favre could duplicate: he guided the Packers to a postseason appearance. Favre and Rodgers didn’t lead the Packers to the postseason until their second season together as starters.
The Packers (9-8) will play their first playoff game on the road as a wild-card team.
This from a club that had previously dropped to 2-5 after losing four straight games. Last season, the Packers were in a similar situation—win in Week 18 to secure a spot—but ultimately lost to the Lions at home in Aaron Rodgers’ last game with the team. Love was Rodgers’ backup, and the Packers ended 8-9 last season and missed the playoffs with him on the sidelines.
After that Buccaneers loss, this squad was virtually in playoff form, winning three straight games to finish 9-8.
The Packers succeeded not just with a rookie quarterback in the starting lineup but also with the league’s youngest squad.
The way they played on Sunday summed up their offensive style. According to Elias Sports Bureau, the Packers have 31 receiving touchdowns by first- and second-year players, tied with the 1960 New York Titans for the second-most in NFL history (tied with the 1961 Oilers, 44). Rookie fifth-round pick Dontayvion Wicks caught two touchdown passes to lead the team.
The Packers sacked Bears quarterback Justin Fields five times after defensive coordinator Joe Barry, who is frequently criticised, ordered several well-timed blitzes.
The game on Sunday wasn’t without its unsure moments.
In the first quarter, rookie Anders Carlson missed a 41-yard field goal. The game was tied at six points after the Packers mishandled their final drive of the first half, running out of time deep in Bears territory before they could attempt a field goal. Then, late in the third quarter of a 14-6 contest, Love stumbled on a scramble close to middle.
With 13:03 left, the Bears were down 14-9, but all they could muster was another field goal following that mistake. Then, with 10:54 remaining, the Packers had to make do with another field goal and a 17-9 lead following a 59-yard catch-and-run by rookie Jayden Reed.
