This Time, Jordan Love Gets His Turkey Leg

Last year, the Green Bay Packers tasted Thanksgiving victory by upsetting the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Jordan Love threw three touchdown passes that day but didn’t get to taste the ceremonial turkey leg.

That was devoured in the Fox broadcast booth.

The NBC crew made sure Love got a turkey leg after the Packers routed the Miami Dolphins 30-17 on Thursday night. After taking a couple bites, he held it high in the air for the Lambeau Field crowd to see.

“It was special,” Love said afterward. “I think, obviously, the joke is not getting a turkey leg last year, so be able to come in here, get the win, get the turkey leg after it was very delicious and just a little something to celebrate.”

While Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who entered the game as one of the hottest quarterbacks in the NFL, threw for 365 yards, it was Love who was by far the best quarterback on the field.

Love was 21-of-28 passing for 274 yards with a pair of touchdown passes to Jayden Reed as the Packers raced to a 21-3 lead.

With a kickoff temperature of 27 and a wind chill of 16, Love looked at home in the Green Bay cold.

“It’s one of those things that we practice in this every day, so I think we’re ready for it,” Love said. “I can’t speak for them and whether it was challenging for them or not. But, you know, it’s cold. We practice this every day, so I feel that we are accustomed to it.”

After throwing an interception in each of his first eight games, Love hasn’t thrown any the last two weeks. He was especially sharp against the Dolphins. Miami had one chance at an interception, but that was because Dontayvion Wicks deflected the ball into the air.

“I think the biggest thing starts with just taking care of the ball,” Love said. “That something that I’ve been focusing on and trying to do a better job just taking care of the ball, because it starts there (with) not putting our defense in bad positions and making it easy on the other team.

“So, that’s where it starts. And then just going out there and finding completions, getting the ball in the playmakers’ hands is something that we always talk about. My job is continue to be great taking care of the ball.”

To coach Matt LaFleur, Love’s mistake-free play has been more physical than mental.

“I would tell you the thing that we stressed the most is just playing with good fundamentals and reading with your feet,” LaFleur said. “He’s done it in practice. He’s been very conscious of doing that. Tom (Clements) does a great job with our quarterbacks and giving them the coaching points that they need, but it’s ultimately up to the player to take it, and I think he’s taken it to heart.”