Packers outlast the Bucs with 17-14 win in Week 4

Love was completely overrun by consistent pressure throughout on a night the Packers attempted 53 passes to just eight running back carries. The Atlanta defensive line took advantage of mounting injuries and ineffective play along the Green Bay offensive line to disrupt any offensive rhythm for the Packers. Love’s two touchdowns went to his top two options through the air in Christian Watson and Matthew Golden, the latter of whom notched the first regular season touchdown of his young career late in the fourth quarter. Matt LaFleur, Love, and the rest of the Packers have some significant work to do if they are to save their quickly sinking season. Love falls to a middling QB2 ahead of a road matchup with an aggressive Buccaneers defense in Week 4.

Love also ran in a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but it was called back because of a holding penalty. This game was played in a consistent drizzle, but the rain was not coming down hard enough to excuse why the Packers’ offense gained just 199 total yards. They committed 14 penalties and seemed incapable of making big plays, with just one play gaining at least 20 yards all day. Love took some deep shots down the field to Matthew Golden, but there weren’t many near misses to hang your hat on, and the offensive line didn’t hold up really well in pass protection. The good news is that the Packers will face a fairly mediocre Falcons defense in Week 3, so Love can be used in most fantasy leagues in that one.

With Kyler Murray exiting this game early, the Packers appeared to be coasting to an easy win until the fourth quarter. Minnesota, however, slowly mounted a comeback that coincided with Love melting down. It started with a fumble that Minnesota took back to the one-yard line. Love got the ball back after a Jordan Mason touchdown and was immediately intercepted on his own side of the field, extinguishing any hope of a rebuttal from the Packers. Some garbage time production turned this into a strong fantasy outing from Love, but he will need to clear things up ahead of Week 2. Love will be in the QB2 mix versus the Jets.

Although a potential, albeit brief, matchup against Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers is intriguing, the Packers’ wide receiver rotation is the real reason to tune in. Packers WR Christian Watson should be the team’s top target earner this season, and Love said WR Matthew Golden is set to assume X-receiver duties. Will slot WR Jayden Reed get to take snaps in two-receiver sets? That is to be determined.

You, of course, cannot simply flip a switch and “finish better,” but it remains notable that the Packers’ players and coaches have spent the entire offseason and summer pledging to avoid the late-game collapses that have so often plagued them in recent seasons. It would appear coach Matt LaFleur and company are dead serious about changing their mindset. That is always easier said than done, but offensive balance just for the sake of it looks like it might be out the window in Green Bay this season. Hopefully the same will be true of taking the air out of the ball the second they have a second half lead. Again, it would be far from surprising if nothing really changes, but it is rare you will hear a team have these kinds of conversations out in the open. A more aggressive mindset would obviously only mean good things in fantasy football.

This is one of two games being played on Christmas, which is the Friday of Week 16. The Packers beat the Bears in Week 14 of the 2025 season before losing their final four regular season contests, one of which was an overtime loss to the Bears. They were then bounced from the playoffs by Chicago in the Wild Card Round. Their Christmas matchup will have major playoff implications and could even determine the winner of the NFC North.

During a Monday interview LaFleur said Green Bay would “strip everything down and start like it’s Year 1 all over again” on the offensive side of the ball a year after the Packers had the NFL’s fourth highest EPA per play and fifth highest offensive success rate. “I just think reinstalling and trying to go through — it might take a little bit more time — but really get into the detail because that’s usually the separator,” LaFleur said. It’s an interesting offseason tidbit that would lead to a new-look Green Bay offense under Jordan Love in 2026. That could mean a slightly less run heavy approach, perhaps, after the Packers had the seventh lowest pass rate over expected in 2025. The Packers will likely be forced to increase WR Matthew Golden’s role after losing Romeo Doubs to New England in free agency.

Love underwent surgery on his left thumb during training camp ahead of the 2025 season. The issue cropped up in the middle of the year but never seemed to cause him much trouble. Love also injured his non-throwing shoulder. He, again, did not miss any time. Love has battled through numerous injuries over the past two seasons. The good news is that, as of now, none of them are lingering into 2026. He should have a normal offseason routine as he and the Packers look to avenge their Wild Card Round loss to the Bears.

Love’s stats are fine — even if the completion percentage leaves a bit to be desired — but could have been even bigger if not for some passes that should have been caught by the Green Bay receiving corps. The signal-caller helped the Packers build a 21-3 lead in the first half, but there wasn’t much offensive success in the final 30 minutes. The 27-year-old’s season is over after throwing for 3,381 yards with a 23/6 TD/INT ratio over 15 games, and while there were some frustrating moments in 2025, it’s hard to complain about the production. Love will be back in Green Bay in 2026 barring something unforeseeable, and he’ll be deserving of QB1 consideration in drafts next year.

With little to play for, the Packers will rest key starters ahead of the postseason, including Jordan Love, though he was cleared to suit up for Week 18. Willis will sit, leaving Clayton Tune as the Packers’ starter against a tough Minnesota defense that will likely overwhelm the third year pro. Emmanuel Wilson could function as the Packers’ lead back with Jacobs inactive. JJ McCarthy and the Vikings will likely face second and third stringers on Green Bay’s defense.