Jordan Love played nearly 60 minutes of poised football at Levi’s Stadium. Many NFL fans and viewers began to witness a fast-growing playoff quarterback at work, doing it for a franchise that produced two Super Bowl winners.
Unfortunately for the Green Bay Packers QB, he’ll now be remembered for a costly mistake against the San Francisco 49ers that got the internet reacting fiercely.
Fans Rip Jordan Love: “Pulled a Brett Favre”
With under 55 seconds left and down 24-21, Love tried to make one last hero throw.
Love, however, mistakenly opted for the cross-body throw. The ball skimmed through the rain…and Dre Greenlaw was right there to take it.
Game. Set. Match.pic.twitter.com/1ZUgelhwa3
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) January 21, 2024
That pass wiped away the praises Love was getting for hitting wide-open Packer wide receivers and tossing two touchdowns. For some fans, Love’s pass became reminiscent of a certain Packers legend who pulled off something identical with the Minnesota Vikings.
Jordan Love said pic.twitter.com/r8lugUSM0v
— Overtime (@overtime) January 21, 2024
“Jordan Love really pulled a Brett Favre,” one fan posted on X (formerly known as Twitter). “Throwing cross-body, middle of the field when he didn’t have to smh.”
Other fans became just as vocal for the miscue.
“Jordan Love… who were you throwing that to?” another fan asked.
Even a past rival of the Packers, former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, criticized Love’s decision.
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“You never throw back across your body. I literally said pick before I saw the defender pick it off. Super rookie mistake,” Bryant said, referring to Love being a rookie in the playoff atmosphere.
You never throw back across your body
I literally said pick before I saw the defender pick it off
Super rookie mistake
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) January 21, 2024
Meanwhile, the account for NFL Memes described the Love blunder as him following a certain kind of footsteps involving another Green Bay legend — Aaron Rodgers.
“Jordan Love following in the footsteps of Aaron Rodgers by beating the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs and then proceeding to lose to the 49ers the next week,” the account shared.
Future Still Looks Bright for Love, Fans Say
Despite the costly interception and watching the 49ers head off to their third straight NFC title game appearance, Love was still showered with praise for how he performed this season.
“Jordan Love finishes his first season as the Packers starting quarterback just shy of reaching the NFC Championship. A lot to be excited about for years to come for this young group,” posted NFL Network reporter Bridget Condon, who was on the sidelines to capture Love walking away in defeat.
Jordan Love finishes his first season as the #Packers starting quarterback just shy of reaching the NFC Championship. A lot to be excited about for years to come for this young group pic.twitter.com/zJppub92fN
— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) January 21, 2024
One 49ers fan opted to tip his cap to Love. Plus, it gave off the belief this won’t be the last time Love will face the Niners in the playoffs.
“Hat tip to the Packers. They balled the f— out and pushed the Niners to their limit. Looking forward to years of battles between Brock Purdy and Jordan Love,” the fan posted on X.
Eli Berkovits of CBS Sports believes that Love has proven he’s the guy moving forward in Green Bay and that the need for another QB should come to a cease.
Another heartbreaking playoff loss for the #Packers…
But there's no denying that this season was a massive success.
It was all about finding out if Jordan Love is the guy.
He absolutely is. pic.twitter.com/FYdjyLGhIB
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) January 21, 2024
Even Bryant, who was involved in one infamous and debated incomplete ruling against the Packers in the playoffs, praised how Love played throughout the season.
“One hell of a year Jordan Love. Because you did show that you are him!” Bryant said.
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