While the Green Bay Packers' win over the Minnesota Vikings was dominant, providing fans with defensive highlights and proving Emanuel Wilson as a more than capable running back, the passing offense appeared slightly held back thanks to a shoulder injury that Jordan Love sustained last week against the New York Giants.
Love started the game strong, throwing 5/9 for 60 yards in the first quarter. Completing three of those passes for 10 yards or more, it seemed like the shoulder injury was of no concern, despite causing Love to be sidelined for a few plays last week.
Through the rest of the game, however, Love attempted just four passes per quarter and recorded a total of 79 yards. Green Bay still won the game handily, as Emanuel Wilson moved the ball efficiently on the ground, but the muted passing game caused some fans to question whether the Packers' star quarterback was operating at 100 percent.
"It didn't affect me too much," Love said in a post-game press conference when asked about his shoulder. "I took a couple hits on it, but it was fine for the most part."
Jordan Love cools Packers' fans fears about his shoulder injury
With 139 yards, Sunday's matchup marked Love's lowest passing total of any start in his career, excluding a Week 18 start last season when he left early due to injury.
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And while a major factor could be his shoulder, the fact is that he simply didn't need to throw the ball to secure the win. The run game was extremely effective, and the defense completely shut down the Vikings in the second half, allowing no points and a total of minus one yard. Seriously. Minus one.
Thanks to the rest of the team's efforts, Love's job was pretty simple: keep the ball moving and the clock running. And he did, with Green Bay controlling the ball for over 21 minutes in the second half.
The Packers have a short week, and their next game will be a big one. Facing Detroit on Thursday, it will be interesting to see how the offense changes its approach as Love's status improves. He recorded two touchdowns against the Lions in Week 1, and fans will hope he feels healthy enough to put up a similar performance on Thanksgiving, even if Josh Jacobs's return and Wilson's recent breakout make for an impressive running back room.