3 Packers players to watch in first preseason game against Bengals

1. Jordan Love

All we need is Love.

A new era begins in Green Bay this season, with the hopes of the franchise now resting on the right arm of Jordan Love.

Aaron Rodgers never featured in the preseason under LaFleur, but times have changed. The Packers' young offense needs the reps, and Friday night's game gives them a great opportunity up against another NFL defense.

It's important not to get carried away with Love's preseason performances, good or bad. The Packers won't be opening the playbook all that much. What they will hope to see is good decision-making, accuracy, and limited mistakes from the fourth-year pro.

Love has played well this summer. He has been inconsistent, but that's hardly surprising for a young quarterback leading an inexperienced offense against an excellent Packers defense. He has made plenty of "wow" throws without too many costly mistakes.

Hopefully, that can translate into success in the preseason. It's an opportunity to get valuable reps with his new-look receiving corps.

Love could see significant snaps in the next few weeks to help him prepare for the regular season. The Packers will hope for a solid performance from their young quarterback, and it will be even better if he can include a few highlight-reel throws to silence his critics.

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