The Patriots are headed into a matchup that should test their secondary in a big way, because Green Bay brings one of the league’s most dangerous downfield passers to town in Jordan Love.
New England and the Packers both have quarterbacks who can uncork it deep, and that’s a big part of why this game has so much intrigue. Drake Maye and Love have combined for 4,229 passing yards through seven weeks, and the Patriots know they’re about to get a real look at how their defense handles a high-end passing attack.
Edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones pointed straight to the challenge Love presents.
"Jordan Love's ability to get the ball out fast," edge rusher Dre'Mont Jones said about challenges they'll face. "We'll see how it plays out."
The Patriots are coming off a win over the lowly Dolphins, but this is a different kind of test. Green Bay enters at 5-3, and New England is still winless in two tries against NFC teams this season. A strong showing here would matter as a measuring stick against a team that’s trying to stay in the postseason picture.
Mike Vrabel made clear what stands out most about the Packers’ offense: Love’s efficiency and Green Bay’s willingness to attack vertically.
"Nobody's had more 20-yard pass plays. A quarterback that's wildly efficient.
He has a few off days, but they're few and far between. They throw shots," Mike Vrabel said.
"I think that when one of your best players for them is their quarterback, or their best player, that's an emphasis that they try to make because when you give him time, he's able to find (Matthew) Golden, (Christian) Watson or Tucker Kraft."
Love, a first round pick by Green Bay back in 2020, spent his early NFL years learning behind Aaron Rodgers before taking over and immediately pushing the Packers forward. Green Bay reached the playoffs a year ago, and the team has given him plenty to work with on offense. He’s made the most of it.
Vrabel also pointed to Love’s growth at the line of scrimmage, where the Packers quarterback has become more comfortable handling protections and making quick decisions.
"Whether he's sight adjusting and the ball's coming out quick, or he's changing the protection and making a call, communicating, I think I've seen that growth over the last couple years," Vrabel said. "Certainly, give him a lot of credit for the way that his career started: watching.
I think that that's hard. It's hard to develop when you're not playing.
But he certainly did. He probably learned a lot from what Aaron was doing and how Matt (LaFleur) was doing it with him."
New England’s defense has had mixed results when facing strong offenses this season. The Patriots held the Seahawks in check in Week 1, though Seattle was without starting quarterback Sam Darnold, and they beat Josh Allen and the Bills three weeks later. But they also allowed 30 points to Caleb Williams and the Bears, and they spent much of the first half trailing the Dolphins before pulling out the win.
That inconsistency is exactly why this week feels like such a useful barometer.
Jones said the key is staying disciplined if Love gets comfortable.
"He’s a talented player. He does a good job of finding his guys," Jones said.
"The more comfortable he is in the pocket, the more accurate the ball is going to be. He’s another prototypical quarterback, 6-(foot)-6, fast, can make any throw, so we got to do a good job of being smart."
Safety Kevin Byard also singled out Love’s deep passing ability.
"We all know he throws one of the prettiest deep balls in the league outside of Drake Maye, those moon balls that he throws up there," safety Kevin Byard said. "I think he’s one of the most underrated quarterbacks in this league."
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