NFL analyst says Packers fans need to be worried after Week 1 loss to Eagles

When good teams lose in Week 1, an overcorrection always follows. Everyone gets the tallest soapboax in their closet, climbs on up it, and loudly yells about how anyone who thinks one loss matters doesn't know ball. At this point, the "stop overreacting dummies, it's Week 1" crowd is like, what, double? triple? the size of the crowd that's actually freaking out.

That's why it's so refreshing to see someone – in this case, The Athletic – give some credibility to the idea that it is okay to panic a little bit. Not only that, but The Athletic is arguing that Packers fans probably should be panicking already.

So, at the risk of voting against my own interest, kudos to The National Media for saying something pessimistic about the Green Bay Packers. (I don't really know where this blog is going either.) Here's their case ($$).

The Athletic thinks the Packers' Week 1 loss is a big deal, so maybe we should too?

"Mainly because of the uncertainty facing quarterback Jordan Love, who suffered an MCL sprain late against the Eagles ... The Packers could really struggle to tread water in Love's absence. Willis has appeared in just 12 games in his three-year career, throwing no touchdown passes and three interceptions, with a 48.7 passer rating."

Losing your franchise quarterback is the absolute quickest way to work yourself up into a panic, and you can understand why The Athletic would think it's a big deal. But it sounds like maybe, just maybe, the Packers didn't actually lose their franchise quarterback?

I know Matt LaFleur is probably just playing silly little mind games, but until he looks me specifically in the eye and says that Jordan Love isn't playing, I'll be OK playing along. If the team actually has to start Malik Willis for the next six weeks, yeah, it's time to panic.

RELATED: Colts injury update gives Packers a chance to shock the world with Malik Willis

Week 1 losses do tend to get over-analyzed, but this is the NFL: every single win/loss is the best/worst day of the season. No one roots for an NFL team because they love practicing patience.

So if The Athletic wants to be one of us (*pounds table* one of us!), all the better. Being grouped with the Raiders and the Browns doesn't feel great, but that's life when you're one of 15 winless teams. And if you think it's bad now, just wait until teams go to 0-2. That's when the "fun" really starts.

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