Packers news: Matt LaFleur explains decision to keep Jordan Love for garbage time

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn ImagesPackers news: Matt LaFleur explains decision to keep Jordan Love for garbage time appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>When a blowout game gets completely out of hand, head coaches usually pull their starting quarterback to protect him from potential injury. But during the Green Bay Packers’ humiliating 35-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night at Lambeau Field, head coach Matt LaFleur chose a different path, keeping quarterback Jordan Love on the field straight through the final whistle.

>Leaving Love exposed behind a struggling offensive line raised plenty of eyebrows among fans and analysts as the game slipped entirely out of reach. When asked about the decision after the game, ESPN reporter Rob Demovsky shared LaFleur’s postgame explanation on X. LaFleur admitted he was “just trying to get something going … just trying to play your way out of it” as Green Bay searched for any sign of life during a painful home performance.

>Love spent most of the night under relentless pressure from Atlanta’s pass rush, yet he kept dropping back despite the insurmountable deficit. Love finished the contest completing 28 of 53 passes for 312 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He managed to connect with wide receivers Christian Watson and Matthew Golden for fourth-quarter touchdowns, but those late scores did little to soften the blow of Green Bay’s overall offensive breakdown.

>Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)

>Meanwhile, the Falcons controlled the line of scrimmage from start to finish. Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw for 256 yards and a touchdown, connecting with wide receiver Drake London nine times for 194 yards. Running back Bijan Robinson shredded the Packers defense for 194 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries. While LaFleur desperately wanted his franchise quarterback to build late rhythm, leaving Love exposed in garbage time was a dangerous gamble Green Bay cannot afford to repeat.

class="promo-banner">

>Related: Christian Watson puts blame firmly on Packers for Lambeau Field boos

>Related: Packers rumors: Micah Parsons injury recovery gets eye-opening insider update