The Green Bay Packers delivered a commanding 45-27 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday, showing their postseason potential while remaining at the bottom of a competitive NFC North. Every team in the division has at least six wins, leaving Green Bay chasing its rivals despite an impressive Week 9 performance.
Quarterback Jordan Love completed 23 of 29 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns, while Green Bay’s defense intercepted Drake Maye three times. The contributions across the roster pleased head coach Matt LaFleur, whose team built a 24-7 halftime advantage and led 45-21 when Love left the game in the fourth quarter.
Long completions drove the Packers’ offense throughout the matchup. Love connected on a 49-yard pass during Green Bay’s second possession and a 43-yard throw on its third. Before halftime, he added completions of 23 and 43 yards on another touchdown drive. His second-half production included gains of 28 and 33 yards, along with a 39-yard touchdown pass.
That performance extended a season in which Love has excelled at throwing downfield despite questions surrounding his offensive line. He entered Sunday ranked 10th in QBR and first in completions of both 20-plus and 40-plus yards. LaFleur praised his accuracy on difficult throws and agreed that his quarterback was performing at an MVP level. Love credited the coach’s aggressive approach and willingness to keep calling big plays.
Receivers Christian Watson and Matthew Golden were central to that success, each finishing with more than 160 receiving yards. Watson caught seven passes for 171 yards and a touchdown, while Golden recorded 10 catches for 164 yards and a score. Love is on pace for 4,945 passing yards if he appears in all 17 games, which would surpass his career best of 4,159 from 2022.
The passing production has helped compensate for a struggling ground game. According to Sumer Sports, Green Bay entered Sunday last in expected points added per rushing attempt. Its 485 rushing yards before the victory were the fewest in the NFL, more than 100 behind the Houston Texans, who ranked 31st.
Green Bay’s defense has also provided support. Entering Week 8, it ranked among the top 10 in expected points added per play and among the top seven against both passing and rushing attacks. Maye had thrown only two interceptions across his previous five starts before surrendering three against the Packers, who now lead the league with 13 interceptions.
The victory left Green Bay holding the NFC’s seventh and final playoff position. All three division rivals remained ahead, while the Los Angeles Rams and defending champion Seattle Seahawks, both 5-4 after reaching the playoffs last season, were behind. The Packers host the first-place Minnesota Vikings next weekend, giving them a direct opportunity to close the divisional gap.
