Jordan Love primarily kept his passes short during the first half against the Cardinals on Sunday, until he launched a deep 44-yard touchdown pass to Christian Watson with 4:32 remaining in the second quarter.
Up to that point, Love had averaged just 5.8 air yards per attempt, on track for his lowest of the season. However, this pass traveled 39.9 yards in the air, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
The play began on the first snap of a drive initiated by Keisean Nixon’s 39-yard punt return. Coach Matt LaFleur called for a play-action shot, and Watson caught the ball just inside the Cardinals’ 5-yard line before walking into the end zone, putting the Packers ahead 24-0. It was Love’s third touchdown pass of the half, marking his eighth consecutive game with multiple touchdown passes—a streak unmatched since Joe Burrow’s similar run in 2021.
Prior to Watson’s touchdown, Love had already connected with Jayden Reed for a 5-yard score and Romeo Doubs for a 10-yard touchdown. Doubs had just returned from a one-game suspension.
Meanwhile, after the Jacksonville Jaguars suffered another demoralizing loss plagued by recurring issues, head coach Doug Pederson stressed the need for a culture change. Without it, he warned, the season could spiral out of control.
“We play a 17-game schedule, so there are still games left,” Pederson said after the Jaguars’ 35-16 defeat to the Chicago Bears in London. “But no one’s going to feel sorry for us. We need to make a change—coaches, players, everyone. Otherwise, things could get out of hand. We’re on a slippery slope, and at some point, you have to say ‘enough is enough’ and find some pride.”
Pederson’s concerns seemed validated, as safety Andre Cisco admitted to local media that some defensive players gave up in the second half. He included himself in this criticism.
“It was really bad,” Cisco said. “It felt early on, maybe even by halftime, that we weren’t playing as a team. Everyone has to realize you’re playing for your teammates, and a lack of effort is inexcusable. That’s the least you can do. I’m holding myself accountable too.”
