ANALYSIS: The Packers down the Giants to snap a two-game losing streak
Pete Dougherty joins Dominique Yates for instant reaction to the Packers’ 27-20 win over the Giants.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love is sore but doing well after playing through a left shoulder injury against the Giants.Coach Matt LaFleur stated that tight end Luke Musgrave needs to play more despite a difficult first half.Sean Rhyan performed well in his first game at center, handling blocking and communication responsibilities.Kicker Brandon McManus is dealing with a quad injury but is not expected to be placed on injured reserve.
GREEN BAY – Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur said quarterback Jordan Love is feeling fine after playing through the team’s 27-20 win over the New York Giants with a left shoulder injury.
Love exited the game after suffering a hit on a scramble during the team’s second drive late in the first quarter. He went to the team’s medical tent on the sideline and later ran into the locker room.
Trailing the Giants 7-0, Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis took control of the offense and led the team to a touchdown drive to make it a 7-6 game.
Love returned to the sideline after the Packers’ touchdown and then was back behind center on the next possession. He finished the game 13-of-24 for 174 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
“He’s doing good. Obviously, he’s definitely sore. That was a pretty big hit. One of those that you just, ‘Come on, man. You can’t put yourself in those situations,’” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said about Love. “I thought he played his (expletive) off yesterday, I really did. I thought he was throwing accurately. He showed a ton of toughness in the pocket. There were multiple times he was getting hit pretty good in the pocket and making throws.
“I was really proud of his ability to come back in the game and show that physical toughness and the mental toughness to keep fighting.”
Here are other takeaways from LaFleur’s Nov. 17 news conference:
Matt LaFleur said Luke Musgrave needs to play more
The Packers are hoping to continually push Luke Musgrave’s role in the offense.
The tight end has a bigger responsibility as the team won’t have Tucker Kraft for the rest of the season, and LaFleur wants to use Musgrave more.
Musgrave had a drop and a fumble on his only two targets in the first half against the Giants and played just two snaps in the second half. The other tight ends, John FitzPatrick and Josh Whyle, played more snaps down the stretch and Whyle caught a touchdown pass in the game.
“He absolutely needs to play more than whatever snaps he played in the second half,” LaFleur said. “We’ll make sure that happens.”
Sean Rhyan handled first game at center well
LaFleur said the play of the offensive line improved as the game went on, and he liked the way Sean Rhyan stepped up at center in place of the injured Elgton Jenkins.
Rhyan had a difficult assignment, not only handling the responsibility of making the calls and keeping the offensive line organized but blocking All-Pro nose tackle Dexter Lawrence.
“I thought he played with really good physicality,” LaFleur said. “There were a couple snaps we’ve got to clean up, but thought all in all, in terms of leading the offensive line, making the calls, communication that’s taking from that spot, I thought he did a pretty good job. I was pleased with his performance.”
LaFleur said Brandon McManus won’t need to go to injured reserve
Packers kicker Brandon McManus was ruled out of the Giants game as he continues to battle a right quad injury.
The Packers went with backup Lucas Havrisik, who missed two extra-point tries on a windy day.
Although McManus has not been 100%, LaFleur said, this isn’t an injured-reserve situation.
“I think it’s one of those things you got to take in stride and handle it on a day-to-day basis,” LaFleur said.