5 scenarios the Packers could face without Jordan Love (including the best-case)

Green Bay Packers fans could take a collective breath once the team returned from Brazil and learned that the injury that quarterback Jordan Love sustained was "only" an MCL sprain.

The initial prognosis was that Love would miss 3-6 weeks, but the team hopes it could be on the lower end. For Week 2's sake, the Packers will turn to Malik Willis, the third-year quarterback the team traded for after a disappointing preseason effort from Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt.

Without Love at quarterback, various scenarios could play out. Let's explore them.

How could the Packers' season play out without Jordan Love?

Nightmare scenario: 2013 quarterback carousel repeat

For this scenario, we look at a repeat of the 2013 season, when the Packers called on Seneca Wallace to serve as Aaron Rodgers' backup after breaking his collarbone. Wallace was hurt on the first drive of that game, and Green Bay turned to former Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Scott Tolzien, who then played in three games before the team turned to Matt Flynn. Flynn led the team to a 2-2 record until Rodgers returned in the regular season finale.

In this nightmare situation, Love would be out closer to six weeks, and Willis would get hurt or struggle, turning the reins over to practice squad quarterback Sean Clifford. There were conflicting reports about the Packers' potential interest in Ryan Tannehill, although Matt LaFleur shut it down. Tannehill would be the Flynn of the modern day.

This scenario would put Green Bay at 1-6 or 2-5 when Love returns, leaving little margin for error down the toughest part of the schedule.

The "could've been worse" scenario

In this situation, Love still misses the full six weeks, but Willis is capable enough to go 3-3 over that window, relying heavily on the defense and the skill of the rest of the team around him.

It would put Green Bay in a tough spot for the division title, standing at 3-4, but only playing in one divisional game and three conference games is fine. Love would take back over in Week 8, play two games, and then get to the bye in Week 10.

The highly unlikely scenario: Quarterback controversy

This one is extremely unlikely, but just for fun, let's break this down. What will the team do if Love is out for three or more games, and Willis somehow leads the Packers to be undefeated?

They have significant capital invested in Love for the next four years, so there would be obvious pressure to put him back in. But if Willis is killing it, do you ride the hot hand or go to the franchise guy? I don't foresee that happening, but it would create a good trade package for a team that needs a quarterback immediately.

The most likely outcome

Adam Schefter joined the Pat McAfee Show this week and shed some light on Love's status. Schefter made it clear that he didn't have detailed inside information, but that a likely target return date would be the Week 4 matchup against the Vikings. Schefter did report the injury was not as bad as feared, and Love may only miss two weeks.

Splitting these two games without Love, winning both, or even losing both would leave the Packers in a manageable position to make a playoff run.

The best-case scenario

LaFleur confirmed Willis will start if Love is not cleared to play this week. While it could just be gamesmanship to not rule out Love, it does indicate the additional time off between games could help.

LaFleur added there is no plan to put Love on injured reserve, which would force him to miss four games. He left the door open for Love to get cleared this week, even if it's unlikely. Even a one-game absence would be welcome, given the initial fears when he went down in Week 1.

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