In a thrilling buildup to Sunday’s clash, Packers quarterback Jordan Love noted that his full-throttle approach would be unchanged even if the rival Minnesota Vikings weren’t rolling into town with a perfect 3-0 record.
Love shared after Wednesday’s practice that the identity of their opponent won’t drive his passion to return for Week 4 following a knee injury from Week 1. With the undefeated Vikings visiting Lambeau Field, the stakes couldn’t be higher – first place in the NFC North is on the line.
“I’m trying to push myself and come back as fast as I can, no matter who the opponent is,” Love asserted.
Despite feeling “close” to playing last week against Tennessee, it was Malik Willis who led the Packers to their second consecutive victory instead.
However, being merely “close” won’t earn a starting nod from head coach Matt LaFleur this week. The Vikings, boasting a career-high 16 sacks and having allowed just 30 total points across their first three games, pose a daunting challenge.
“They present a lot of different options and, much like we discuss the illusion of complexity – where we aim to offer difficult choices for defense but simplicity for us – that’s what they master,” LaFleur explained. “They have a system in place that is easy for their players to execute but exceedingly tough for the offenses they face.”
Both Love and LaFleur commended Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores for his exotic fronts and masked coverages that create “headaches” for quarterbacks and play-callers alike.
“At kickoff, you’re trying to figure out if they’re lying (with the blitz), if they’re coming,” Love shared. “It’s a challenging defense. I’m not going to sugarcoat it, but you have to be able to make plays, find those completions, and run the ball.”
Undeterred by the risks, Love emphasized, “At the end of the day, this is football, and there’s always a risk of getting kicked or hit. I’m going to try to get the ball out of my hands as quickly as possible.”
With an electrifying atmosphere at Lambeau Field and the stakes sky-high, this matchup promises to deliver the best of what NFL football has to offer!
