How Will LaFleur Handle Packers-Broncos Game?

After playing just three snaps in Saturday’s win at Cleveland, will Packers quarterback Jordan Love and the rest of the starters get more snaps at Denver next week?

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws a pass against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday. / Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love against Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain?

For Friday’s joint practice in Denver? Yes. Against the Broncos in Sunday’s preseason game? No.

After the Packers drubbed the Cleveland Browns 23-10 on Saturday, Packers coach Matt LaFleur said he was leaning toward not playing his starters in next Sunday night’s second preseason game.

“Too early to tell but, right now, I don’t anticipate those guys playing vs. Denver, the majority of the starters,” LaFleur said. 

“There might be a select few, but I think what we’re going to do just because we have the competitive practice vs. the Broncos, use that as their game reps and let the other guys play for the most part in that second preseason game, then we’ll re-evaluate it for the third one.”

With that, it’s possible Love’s preseason will consist of three snaps and two passes – highlighted by a 65-yard touchdown bomb to Dontayvion Wicks.

The Packers are scheduled to conclude the preseason on Saturday, Aug. 24, against the Baltimore Ravens. Two days earlier, the teams will hold a joint practice. Thirteen days later, the Packers will play the Philadelphia Eagles in the regular-season opener in Brazil.

While it’s certainly possible Love – and the rest of the starters – could get a series against the Ravens, it’s also possible that LaFleur will be thrilled with the practice-field work against Denver and Baltimore and turn his focus to a season-opening game that could be dripping with playoff ramifications.

Love’s predecessor, Aaron Rodgers, famously despised preseason games. Speaking before LaFleur after Saturday’s game, Love said he looked forward to getting more preseason snaps.

“I think we could just jump into the season, but I think maybe getting a couple more snaps here in the preseason would be nice,” Love said. “We only got three plays tonight, so just being able to get back out there, get in that mode, it was nice to get in the game today. But I think getting a longer drive, putting a couple more plays up might be nice.”

Perhaps Love and LaFleur have had the discussion already and the plan is for Love to play against Baltimore at Lambeau Field, with LaFleur being coy to give himself a bit of wiggle room should changing circumstances force a change of direction.

If Love’s preseason really will consist of the best possible three-and-out series, then it ended in spectacular fashion. On third-and-5, Love spotted receiver Dontayvion Wicks matched one-on-one against a safety.

Wicks won the route with ease. Starting in the slot, Wicks ran straight at the defensive back, Ronnie Hickman, then veered outside and stepped on the gas. Love’s pass traveled about 40 yards and landed right in Wicks’ hands. The final 35 yards was no contest.

“We had a great play dialed up for that situation, one-on-one with Wicks in the slot,” Love said. “Faking the handoff and he ran a great route, kind of lulled him to sleep at the top and then was able to go past him, and (I) just put the ball out there for him and he made the rest happen. Great play by him.”

Said Wicks: “I seen the coverage and I knew it was man. I just knew I had to get on his toes and win and J-Love was going to give me a chance. That was it.”

And that was that for the No. 1 offense.

Love “liked” the decision to bring in the backups for the rest of the game.

“That was the goal we wanted, was to go out there, get our series in and put up points,” he said. “So, I was happy with the way it went out.”

More Green Bay Packers Training Camp News

#Packers coach Matt LaFleur loved how his team competed in the preseason win vs. the Browns.

Here is our updated game story. ⬇️https://t.co/ank4JamXNr

— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) August 10, 2024

Packers vs. Browns: Packers 23, Brown 10 | Four takeaways in victory | Live updates | Five things to watch | Players who need a big game | How to watch

Latest news and analysis: Why three kickers? | Monk gets massive opportunity | All-newcomer team | Power rankings | New kicker’s crazy story | Zach Tom is back | Tucker Kraft on his comeback | Takeaways from first depth chart | Rookie Ty’Ron Hopper adjusting to NFL | Roster projection 2.0 | Week 2 medal winners | Week 2 stock report | New outlooks for Colby Wooden, Karl Brooks | Javon Bullard looking smooth

Training camp highlights: Practice 13 | Practice 12 | Practice 11 | Family Night | Practice 9 | Practice 8 | Practice 7 | Practice 6 | Practice 5 | Practice 4 | Practice 3 | Practice 2 | Practice 1