Love’s 322 yards clinch close game
GREEN BAY, WIS. >> With Green Bay down to one healthy running back, Jordan Love realized the Packers’ hopes likely rested on his right arm.
The first-year starting quarterback responded with the best performance of his young career.
Love threw for 322 yards and found Romeo Doubs for a 24yard touchdown with 2:33 left to give Green Bay a 23-20 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. It was a milestone rally for a young Packers team that continually had come up short late in games this season.
“That’s always in the back of my head, just the past experiences that we’ve had, being in this situation and not capitalizing,” Love said. “Our message was just, ‘Go finish. Go compete. And go be great.’ I think we did that.”
Love went 27 of 40 and became the first Packer to throw for more than 300 yards since Aaron Rodgers had a 341-yard day against the Chicago Bears on Dec. 12, 2021.
“I wasn’t aware of that,” Love said. “That’s a pretty crazy stat, to be honest.”
Both teams have struggled in close games. Four of the Packers’ six losses have been decided by a total of 11 points. Five of the Chargers’ six defeats have a combined margin of 14 points.
“It’s tough, bro,” Chargers safety Derwin James said. “Like I said, we’re playing hard. It’s tough. We’re one or two plays away. I say you’ve got to find a way to get it done.”
Chargers coach Brandon Staley bristled when asked again after the game whether he’s considered giving up the defensive play- calling responsibilities.
“I have full confidence in our way of playing,” Staley said. “Full confidence in myself as the playcaller and the way that we teach and the way that we scheme. Full confidence in that. We’ve got to bring this group together and do it consistently, and that’s where it’s at. You can stop asking that question. I’m going to be calling the defenses, so we’re clear. So you don’t have to ask that again.”
Both teams suffered significant injuries.
Chargers edge rusher Joey Bosa was carted off the field with a foot injury on the game’s opening series. Packers running backs Aaron Jones and Emanuel Wilson were carted off the field late in the second quarter, leaving AJ Dillon as Green Bay’s only ball carrier.
Staley had no update on Bosa’s condition after the game. Jones said initial reports regarding his anterior cruciate ligament were positive, though he was awaiting an MRI.
“I was feeling like, ‘ Man, I can’t catch a break,’” Jones said. “But caught a break. Hopefully it’s not anything serious and I’m back here pretty soon.”
Justin Herbert threw a 10yard touchdown pass to Keenan Allen on third-and-9 to give the Chargers (4- 6) a 20-16 lead with 5:24 remaining. The Packers (46) answered on their next series, getting a boost when Los Angeles’ Asante Samuel Jr. was called for pass interference on a thirdand-20 incompletion.