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Green Bay Packers fans were on an emotional rollercoaster after their team’s close win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The game ended with a thrilling last-second field goal by Brandon McManus, bringing joy to the fans. But not everything was rosy; quarterback Jordan Love got hurt in the third quarter, making everyone worried.
Love wasn’t the only player who got injured.
Star cornerback Jaire Alexander also left the field limping with a leg injury on the game’s final defensive play. As expected, these injuries have been the talk of the town among Packers fans and media this week.
Packers News No. 1: Jordan Love dodges a bullet. Earlier this season, Love missed two games due to injury, and when he left the Jaguars game, it seemed like he might be out even longer. Luckily for the team, there’s hope that he’ll be back for Sunday’s game against the Lions.
The Packers might be extra careful with Love because he’s crucial for their playoff dreams. They want him ready for the big game against their rivals, but if his groin still bothers him, they might keep him on the sidelines.
Most Packers fans would have taken losing Love for just one game after seeing him struggle against Jacksonville. A strained groin is almost the best-case scenario, and Green Bay can breathe a sigh of relief knowing their star player isn’t severely injured.
Packers News No. 2: Jaire Alexander gets good injury news too. While Alexander might not be as vital as Love right now, his injury was still a big worry for the defense. Although he’s not as dominant as before, he’s still their top cornerback.
Tests on Alexander’s knee showed no major issues, similar to Love’s situation. If his knee responds well to treatment, he might play against Detroit. At least he avoided a long-term injury.
The Packers should resist rushing Alexander back into the game on Sunday. Eric Stokes may not be the most exciting option behind him, but he can manage for a short period. Alexander needs to ensure his knee is fully healed before returning.
Packers News No. 3: Malik Willis raises his stock again. When Love got injured earlier this year, Willis stepped up and led the team in two games. He hadn’t played since Week 3, so there was pressure when he replaced Love in the third quarter.
Instead of sticking strictly to the coach’s plan, Willis showed guts by changing a play during a crucial drive. LaFleur praised Willis’ decision to audible into a big throw as something he’ll “never forget.”
Choosing to change the play was arguably more impressive than the actual pass to Jayden Reed that secured the victory. Even though Andre Cisco’s cramp helped open up a passing lane, it was Willis’ mental decision-making that defined the comeback win.
Packers News No. 4: LaFleur has a ton of respect for the Lions. Despite receiving positive injury updates, LaFleur isn’t taking it easy this week. He knows how tough Detroit is and has called them “arguably” the best team in the NFL right now.
That’s high praise for a team missing their star edge rusher, Aidan Hutchinson. Jared Goff’s solid play and the Lions’ physical style make them formidable opponents capable of adapting their strategy. Green Bay will enter as underdogs at Lambeau Field, which is rare given their strong home record.
For an upset, Green Bay must control the ball and stop Detroit’s rushing attack from taking over. Preventing Jahmyr Gibbs from running wild is key to keeping up with Detroit’s offense. The Packers’ strategy will heavily depend on who they can start at quarterback.
Fans shouldn’t be shocked if LaFleur pulls out some trick plays to secure a big win. His respect for Detroit is justified, but playing timidly won’t lead to victory in this high-stakes matchup.
