With Jordan Love at quarterback, Green Bay Packers can match anyone in NFC

SEATTLE – Only three weeks remain in the NFL’s regular season, and the NFC’s road to the Super Bowl suddenly seems wide open.

The Green Bay Packers are challenging conventional wisdom, stirring questions about whether they’re the best-equipped team to represent the conference in Super Bowl LIX at New Orleans. This is much is clear: Green Bay is making a strong closing kick toward the playoffs.

Behind another solid performance from standout quarterback Jordan Love, the visiting Packers moved closer to clinching a postseason berth Sunday night while manhandling the Seattle Seahawks in a 30-13 victory at Lumen Field. Green Bay (10-4) scored on its four first-half possessions in racing to a 17-point halftime lead against Seattle (8-6).

The anticipated quarterback dual between Love and Seahawks Pro Bowler Geno Smith never materialized.

Throughout the game, Green Bay’s defensive front overwhelmed Seattle’s offensive line. Midway through the third quarter, Smith suffered a knee injury on a hit by blitzing linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. Replaced by ineffective backup quarterback Sam Howell, Smith never returned.

Conversely, Love completed 20 of 27 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns. The Packers won for the fourth time in five games.

In the NFC North, the Packers still trail the division-leading Detroit Lions (12-2) and the second-place Minnesota Vikings (11-2). But the Packers have a talented passer, a top-notch ground game led by running back Josh Jacobs (94 rushing yards, one touchdown), a defense that had 7 sacks, 10 tackles for losses and 12 quarterback hits against the Seahawks, and sharp coach Matt LaFleur pulling the strings.

Moving forward, there’s a lot to like about the Packers.

“We talked about it all week: This is a playoff-type game,” Love said. “A playoff team on the other side, a very good team, and an away environment. …You just have to keep putting your foot on the gas.”

Although it’s highly unlikely that the Packers would leapfrog both the Lions and Vikings in their division, that’s not the Packers’ focus.

The Packers strive to be in top form as the playoffs draw closer, and they’re rounding into it. Additionally, the Packers were encouraged by the Buffalo Bills’ performance against the Lions on Sunday.

The visiting Bills amassed 559 yards in total offense during a 48-42 victory that ended the Lions’ franchise-best winning streak at 11 games. In their last 10 games, the Packers are 8-2 – with both losses coming against the Lions.

In Week 14, Detroit capped a 34-31 win over Green Bay on a 35-yard field goal as time expired. Green Bay is playing so well these days, one could argue that the gap between the teams isn’t wide, especially after Detroit’s debacle on defense against Buffalo. There’s simply no way to sugarcoat giving up almost 50 points and 600 total net yards.

“I like our guys’ confidence,” LaFleur said. “We came out, we started fast. We knew that was gonna be a key to the game.”

For the past five seasons, the San Francisco 49ers ran the NFC, winning three NFC West titles, appearing in four conference championship games and two Super Bowls. The Lions lost to the 49ers in last season’s NFC Championship Game. Following the 49ers’ demise this season because of injuries and ineffectiveness, the Lions appeared poised to step to the front of the line.

Of course, they still could.

As could the Philadelphia Eagles (12-2), who lead the NFC East and are now tied with the Lions for the conference’s best record. The Vikings are right there as well. The hot Los Angeles Rams (8-6), winners of three straight, are now tied with Seattle atop the NFC West.

The Packers, however, can match all of the top contenders at the most-important position: quarterback.

Over his last five games, Love has completed 68.7% of his passes (79 for 115). He has eight passing touchdowns and only one interception.

“I feel really good. We’re in a really good spot,” Love said. “Just finish this season off and be where we’re gonna be for playoffs. But I like where we’re at. We just have to keep figuring out ways to get better. Keep pushing each other to get these wins and finish the season.”

In the NFC playoff race, there’s still a lot to shake out. Two of the Packers’ remaining three games are on their home field against sub-.500 teams, the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears. The Packers also face the formidable Vikings on the road.

The Seahawks host the Vikings in Week 16. Seattle faces the Bears on the road in Week 17, and it closes on the road against the Rams.

After relieving Smith against the Packers on Sunday, Howell went 5 for 14 for 24 yards with an interception. He was sacked four times and had a 14.6 passer rating. That’s not good.

The Packers are good. They’re on the verge of being in the playoffs for the fifth time in LaFleur’s six seasons as coach, and they believe they’re capable of reaching New Orleans.

The thing is, with how they’re rolling, they just might be right.