After leading comeback, Packers' Love has officially arrived

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love. Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK

After leading historic comeback, Packers QB Jordan Love has officially arrived

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 9/24/23

Sunday's performance against the New Orleans Saints may have been Jordan Love's worst, statistically speaking, since taking over as the Green Bay Packers starting quarterback. However, Love proved he's officially arrived after a clutch fourth quarter in his first start at Lambeau Field.

With the game on the line, Love showed the poise of a veteran while probably giving Packers fans flashbacks of quarterbacks of the past. Trailing the Saints 17-0 late, Love carried the Packers, leading the largest fourth-quarter comeback in franchise history.

After the Packers cut the Saints lead to 17-3 with 11 minutes left, Love orchestrated a seven-play, 80-yard scoring drive, capping it off with a one-yard touchdown run.

However, instead of running toward the seats for a Lambeau leap, Love gathered the offense to go for two only seconds before converting the try with a cross-body pass to Samori Toure.

Jordan Love takes it himself!

: #NOvsGB on FOX
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/UQdQ05hqXN pic.twitter.com/aeYqLpgZN9
— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2023

On Green Bay's ensuing possession, Love put together another 80-yard drive, closing it out with a beautiful eight-yard touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs, completing the comeback.

LOVE TO DOUBS. Packers take the lead!

: #NOvsGB on FOX
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/UQdQ05hqXN pic.twitter.com/SviCfU3AT2
— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2023

After posting three touchdown days in back-to-back weeks, Love battled against a tough Saints defense, finishing 22-of-44 for 259 yards with two total touchdowns and an interception.

Furthermore, Love created his first big "moment" as the Packers starter without four key starters in LT David Bakhtiari, LG Elgton Jenkins, RB Aaron Jones and WR Christian Watson.

Love's numbers won't jump off the stat sheet, and he needed two massive three-and-outs from his defense and a late-missed field goal by the Saints for everything to break right on Sunday. However, he showed the guts, skill and intangibles that other Green Bay greats had before him.

One game won't make Packers fans forget about Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre, but it's a massive step for Love as he tries to get out from under their shadow and establish his own legacy.

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