Jordan Love is a star. He has poise, fearlessness, arm talent, athleticism—you name it. Love is only 23 starts into his Green Bay Packers career, but he has already made a huge impact. In Week 8 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he can force his way into the national MVP conversation.
Since becoming the Packers' starting quarterback in 2023, no player has thrown more touchdown passes than Love's 47.
According to the Packers Dope Sheet, Love is the fifth NFL quarterback since 1950 to throw multiple touchdown passes in 16 of their first 23 career starts.
Yet, because he has thrown a league-high eight interceptions this season, many dismiss his star talent. You know who else has eight picks? Patrick Mahomes. The difference is that Mahomes has only thrown six touchdown passes, whereas Love has 15 despite playing two fewer games.
In fact, since Love became the Packers' starter, he has thrown 47 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Mahomes has 33 touchdowns and 22 picks.
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Love ranks second in the NFL for touchdown passes this season. He deserves to be in the MVP conversation, and with a matchup against the Jaguars defense up next, Love gets the opportunity to strengthen his case.
Jordan Love can strengthen his MVP bid vs. Jaguars in Week 8
The Packers have taken on some tough defenses this season, but they get a perfect matchup against a struggling Jaguars unit this week.
Jacksonville is allowing an average of 27.7 points, 376.4 total yards, and 273.9 passing yards per game. It is struggling to generate consistent pressure on quarterbacks and has only forced three turnovers, including one interception, all season.
Jaguars Defense | Rank |
|---|---|
Total Defense | 28th |
Scoring Defense | 30th |
Takeaways | 29th |
Passing Defense | 31st |
Sacks | 17th |
Pressure % | 26th |
Yards After Catch | 31st |
If there were ever a matchup for Love to announce his MVP run, it would be against the Jaguars.
Love is due some good luck with turnovers. There's no doubt he needs to stop putting the ball in harm's way as often and take (slightly) fewer risks, but he has also experienced some unfortunate luck. Pro Football Focus credits Love with eight turnover-worthy plays, and he has eight picks. In other words, teams are cashing in on his mistakes at a high rate.
For perspective, Josh Allen has 10 turnover-worthy plays but has zero interceptions. Justin Herbert has seven turnover-worthy plays but only one pick.
Love has proven he can go on an MVP run, with big plays along with turnover-free football. He went on an 18-touchdown, one-interception run in the final eight games of last season.
Head coach Matt LaFleur is frustrated with the Brett Favre comparisons, which is often viewed as a negative due to Favre's aggressiveness leading to turnovers. But Favre was also a three-time NFL MVP, played in two Super Bowls (winning one), and is one of the greatest quarterbacks in Packers history.
Being compared to a Hall of Famer is hardly a negative.
Despite the turnovers, Love has made a fast start to the season. He missed two games but ranks second in the league for touchdown passes and second for passing yards per game. Love has multiple touchdown passes in each game and can continue that impressive streak against a struggling Jaguars defense.
Love is three touchdown passes behind league leader Baker Mayfield. This feels like the kind of matchup where Love could take over first place despite playing two fewer games.
He has a chance to make a statement and show the world why he is an MVP frontrunner.