Packers quarterback Jordan Love engineered an impressive comeback on Sunday, leading Green Bay out of a 17-0 hole and securing an 18-17 victory over the Saints.
After the game, Love spoke with both Peter King and me by phone to discuss an early-season performance that has the Packers at 2-1, tied with the Lions atop the NFC North.
Love was asked, among other things, whether he hears the critics and whether that motivates him.
“Yeah, man, it’s out there for sure,” Love said. “You know, something that I’ve been hearing a lot of that stuff since I got drafted. It’s one of those things that it’s kind of in one ear, out the other . . . because I know the position I’m in. All quarterbacks in the NFL are in a pretty scrutinized position. You know, you can’t let that stuff affect you. I just stay true to who I am and confident in myself, confident in my team. I don’t get you know flustered by anything I hear or anything that’s out there because, you know, who are they to tell me who I am as a player?”
It’s the right attitude. Love has been through a lot. Through it all, he has never complained. He simply bided his time and waited for his chance and now he has made the most of it.
We’ll see him again on Thursday night, at home against the Lions. The winner moves into sole possession of first place in the division, four games into the season.
The Lions’ defense made a statement today, shutting down Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder in a one-sided 20-6 win that moved Detroit into first place in the NFC North.
The Lions and Falcons are now both 2-1, but it’s the Lions who have to feel very good about where they are in the early jockeying for NFC playoff berths. The Lions look legit.
Detroit’s pressure on Ridder was relentless, and he had one of his worst games as the Falcons’ starting quarterback. Jared Goff, meanwhile, was efficient if not spectacular, and he put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter with his first rushing touchdown as a Lion.
It was also the matchup of this year’s two first-round rookie running backs, Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson and Detroit’s Jhaymir Gibbs. Robinson had 10 carries for 33 yards, while Gibbs had 17 carries for 79 yards.
The Lions and Packers are now heading for a battle for first place in the NFC North with their meeting on Thursday night.
Every week we bring you all the inactives from the 1 p.m. ET games in one post, constantly updated with the latest information.
The Packers have their home opener on Sunday, but four key members of the team will have to wait a little longer to play at Lambeau Field for the first time this season.
Running back Aaron Jones, wide receiver Christian Watson, left tackle David Bakhtiari, and cornerback Jaire Alexander are all inactive. All four players were listed as questionable on Friday. Jones and Watson have hamstring injuries, Bakhtiari has long-standing knee issues, and Alexander hurt his back in practice this week.
Jones, Watson and Bakhtiari also missed last Sunday’s game and Watson has yet to play in a game yet this season. The Packers have a quick turnaround to host the Lions Thursday, so the quartet may be hard pressed to play in Week Four as well.
Saints at Packers
Saints: CB Paulson Adebo, TE Foster Moreau, WR A.T. Perry, OL Nick Saldiveri, DL Kyle Phillips
Packers: RB Aaron Jones, WR Christian Watson, T David Bakhtiari, CB Jaire Alexander, DB Anthony Johnson Jr., DB Zayne Anderson, G Elgton Jenkins
Patriots at Jets
Patriots: WR Kayshon Boutte, QB Will Grier, CB Jonathan Jones, OL Sidy Sow, OL Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
Jets: RB Israel Abanikanda, WR Jason Brownlee, OL Wes Schweitzer, LB Zaire Barnes, CB Bryce Hall, S Tony Adams
Colts at Ravens
Colts: CB Darrell Baker Jr., QB Anthony Richardson, C Ryan Kelly, DT Adetomiwa Adeboware, TE Will Mallory, OL Arlington Hambright, S Isaiah Land
Ravens: WR Odell Beckham Jr., RB Justice Hill, CB Marlon Humphrey, C Tyler Linderbaum, T Ronnie Stanley, LB Odafe Oweh, S Marcus Williams
Titans at Browns
Titans: QB Will Levis, WR Colton Dowell, CB Kindle Vildor, LB Caleb Murphy, LB Trevis Gipson, OL Peter Skoronski, OL Jaelyn Duncan
Browns: CB Greg Newsome II, S Ronnie Hickman, C Luke Wypler, DE Isaiah McGuire, DT Siaki Ika, T James Hudson III
Broncos at Dolphins
Broncos: LB Frank Clark, C Alex Forsyth, DE Elijah Garcia, LB Ronnie Perkins, S Justin Simmons, S JL Skinner
Dolphins: QB Skylar Thompson, WR Jaylen Waddle, WR Erik Ezukanma, TE Tyler Kroft, RB Salvon Ahmed, T Kion Smith, CB Cam Smith
Bills at Commanders
Bills: S Damar Hamlin, CB Kaiir Elam, G German Ifedi, T Alec Anderson, DT Poona Ford
Commanders: TE Logan Thomas, DE K.J. Henry, T Trent Scott, G Chris Paul, TE Curtis Hodges, WR Mitchell Tinsley
Falcons at Lions
Falcons: CB Clark Phillips III, OL Jovaughn Gwyn, OL Isaiah Prince, DL Albert Huggins, DL Joe Gaziano, RB Cordarrelle Patterson
Lions: S Kerby Joseph, T Taylor Decker, DL Brodric Martin, CB Emmanuel Moseley, G Halapoulivaati Vaitai, RB David Montgomery
Texans at Jaguars
Texans: QB Case Keenum, RB Dare Ogunbowale, LB Denzel Perryman, S Jalen Pitre, DE Derek Rivers, CB Tavierre Thomas, T Laremy Tunsil
Jaguars: WR Zay Jones, WR Parker Washington, WR Elijah Cooks, RB JaMycal Hasty, S Antonio Johnson
Chargers at Vikings
Chargers: CB J.C. Jackson, LB Eric Kendricks, RB Austin Ekeler, OL Brenden Jaimes, OL Zack Bailey, DL Christopher Hinton
Vikings: RB Cam Akers, TE Nick Muse, C Garrett Bradbury, EDGE Marcus Davenport, DL Khyiris Tonga
Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown should be good to go today against the Falcons.
St. Brown is listed as questionable with a toe injury, but he is optimistic that he’ll be able to play, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
A team captain, St. Brown is the Lions’ No. 1 receiver and has 12 catches for 173 yards this season.
The Lions are 3.5-point favorites at home against the Falcons.
The third week of the 2023 NFL season kicked off on Thursday with a win by the 49ers and it continues with 13 more games on Sunday, which means that the 26 teams in those games submitted their final injury reports of the week on Friday.
The Eagles, Buccaneers, Rams, and Bengals play on Monday and their final injury reports will be released on Saturday.
Broncos at Dolphins
S Justin Simmons (hip) and DE Frank Clark (hip) are out for the Broncos. DT Mike Purcell (ankle) is listed as questionable.
Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle (concussion) practiced for the first time this week on Friday. He has been listed as questionable to play along with T Terron Armstead (back, ankle, knee), DB Elijah Campbell (knee), DT Raekwon Davis (wrist), TE Julian Hill (ankle), TE Tyler Kroft (back), and EDGE Jaelan Phillips (back). RB Salvon Ahmed (groin) is listed as doubtful and is expected to miss Sunday’s game.
Colts at Ravens
Colts QB Anthony Richardson (concussion) and C Ryan Kelly (concussion) were ruled out on Friday.
WR Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle) missed half of last week’s game and the Ravens ruled him out for all of this Sunday. RB Justice Hill (toe), T Ronnie Stanley (knee), C Tyler Linderbaum (ankle), LB Odafe Oweh (ankle), CB Marlon Humphrey (foot), and S Marcus Williams (pec) are also going to miss this weekend’s game.
Titans at Browns
WR DeAndre Hopkins (ankle) didn’t practice on Friday, but will travel to Cleveland with the Titans. He’s officially listed as questionable along with CB Anthony Kendall (hip), DT Teair Tart (knee), and DT Denico Autry (foot, groin). G Peter Skoronski (illness) will not play.
CB Greg Newsome (elbow) is out for the Browns and T James Hudson (ankle) is listed as questionable.
Bills at Commanders
The Bills have no injury designations for this week.
Commanders WR Curtis Samuel (illness) and S Kam Curl (illness) are both questionable, but head coach Ron Rivera indicated that they will play. TE Logan Thomas (concussion) has been ruled out.
Falcons at Lions
RB Cordarrelle Patterson (thigh) and CB Jeff Okudah (foot) are questionable to make their first appearances for the Falcons this season.
Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (toe) is listed as questionable, but practiced fully Friday and said he intends to play. T Taylor Decker (ankle), G Halapoulivaati Vaitai (knee), S Kerby Joseph (hip), and DB Emmanuel Moseley (knee/hamstring) will not play and RB David Montgomery (thigh) is considered doubtful. WR Josh Reynolds (groin) joins St. Brown in the questionable group.
Saints at Packers
RB Jamaal Williams (hamstring) is out for the Saints and TE Foster Moreau (ankle) is expected to miss the game as well after drawing a doubtful tag. CB Paulson Adebo (hamstring) and S Ugo Amadi (knee) are listed as questionable.
The Packers hope to get RB Aaron Jones (hamstring), WR Christian Watson (hamstring), and T David Bakhtiari (knee, rest) back after listing them as questionable. CB Jaire Alexander (back) is also questionable after a limited practice Friday. LB Lukas Van Ness (elbow) rounds out that group while G Elgton Jenkins (knee) and S Zayne Anderson (hamstring) have been ruled out.
Texans at Jaguars
LB Denzel Perryman (hand, wrist), S Jalen Pitre (chest), CB Derek Stingley (hamstring), and CB Tavierre Thomas (hand) are all out for the Texans. T Laremy Tunsil (knee) is their lone questionable player.
The Jaguars ruled S Antonio Johnson (hamstring) and WR Zay Jones (knee) out for Sunday. LB Josh Allen (shoulder), DT Folorunso Fatukasi (shoulder), and S Andrew Wingard (shoulder) are questionable to play for the home team.
Chargers at Vikings
The Chargers will not have RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) or LB Eric Kendricks (hamstring) this weekend. EDGE Joey Bosa (hamstring) is listed as questionable along with LB Daiyan Henley (hamstring), DL Christopher Hinton (back), and LB Chris Rumph (hamstring).
T Christian Darrisaw (ankle) is set to return for the Vikings. DE Marcus Davenport (ankle) won’t play and C Garrett Bradbury (back) is listed as questionable.
Panthers at Seahawks
Andy Dalton will start at quarterback for the Panthers with Bryce Young (ankle) ruled out. EDGE Justin Houston (calf) is questionable to play.
The Seahawks list WR DK Metcalf (ribs) as questionable, but head coach Pete Carroll said he’s on track to play. T Charles Cross (toe) and CB Coby Bryant (toe) have been ruled out and CB Riq Woolen (chest) is expected to miss the game after being listed as doubtful. S Julian Love (hamstring), NT Jarran Reed (groin ), S Quandre Diggs (hamstring), G Phil Haynes (calf), S Jamal Adams (knee), and RB DeeJay Dallas (illness) round out the questionable group.
Cowboys at Cardinals
Cowboys C Tyler Biadasz (hamstring) and G Zack Martin (ankle) are listed as questionable. CB Trevon Diggs (torn ACL) will be headed to injured reserve.
DE Carlos Watkins (biceps) and LB Josh Woods (ankle) won’t play for the Cardinals. DT Leki Fotu (shoulder) has a questionable designation.
Bears at Chiefs
LB Khalid Kareem (hip) is out for the Bears and S Eddie Jackson (foot) is doubtful. G Nate Davis (personal) is listed as questionable.
The Chiefs won’t have LB Nick Bolton (ankle) and WR Richie James (knee). LB Willie Gay (quadricep), RB Isiah Pacheco (hamstring), and WR Kadarius Toney (toe) make up their questionable contingent.
Steelers at Raiders
WR Gunner Olszewski (concussion) is out for the Steelers. No other players received an injury designation.
Raiders WR Jakobi Meyers (concussion) has been cleared to return, but DE Tyree Wilson (illness) is listed as questionable.