Jordan Love Leads 46-Yard Packers Drive for 3 Points in Preseason Opener

Q: Could Trey Smack’s booming preseason kicks become the Packers’ biggest takeaway from a night when Jordan Love barely played?

Yes. On a night when Jordan Love played only one 10-play series, Trey Smack looked like Green Bay’s most meaningful storyline. Love’s appearance was efficient but brief: 3 of 5 for 18 yards, highlighted by a 19-yard throw to Jayden Reed before Matt LaFleur turned the offense over to Tyrod Taylor. That gave little new information about the starting quarterback beyond confirming the Packers’ cautious preseason approach after last year’s thumb injury. Smack, by contrast, gave the Packers something tangible to evaluate. He hit from 58, 37 and 38 yards, and his first 58-yarder was good as well before a Steelers penalty erased it and extended the drive. That kind of leg strength was one of the main reasons Green Bay drafted him, and LaFleur said afterward that the rookie “delivered.” The context matters. Green Bay’s offense struggled badly after Love exited, the Packers lost 28-9, and special teams became one of the few clear positives. Smack’s night also stood out because kicker has been an unsettled position for Green Bay, making any evidence of range and poise especially important. It is still only one preseason game, so it would be premature to declare the competition over or project long-term reliability from one strong outing. But given Love’s limited work and the team’s otherwise uneven performance, Smack’s booming kicks were arguably the Packers’ biggest takeaway — and perhaps the most encouraging development of the night.

3 articles · Updated · NBC Sports · Aug 13

Love played only Green Bay’s opening series Thursday, guiding a 10-play, 46-yard drive that ended in a field goal before giving way to Tyrod Taylor.
A Dean Lowry unnecessary-roughness penalty extended the possession after Trey Smack drilled a 58-yarder, and the Packers chose the penalty before settling for a shorter kick.
Love finished 3-of-5 for 18 yards, highlighted by a 19-yard completion to Jayden Reed; a pass to MarShawn Lloyd lost 4 yards late in the drive.
Pittsburgh took the opposite approach at quarterback, with Aaron Rodgers sitting out and Mason Rudolph starting under coach Mike McCarthy in the preseason opener.

Sources

NBC Sports6d ago

Jordan Love Leads Packers to Field Goal in Preseason Opener

Sports Illustrated6d ago

All Not Lost for Packers in Preseason Loss at Steelers

Yahoo Sports6d ago

Should Love play in Packers’ preseason opener?

Could Trey Smack’s booming preseason kicks become the Packers’ biggest takeaway from a night when Jordan Love barely played?

Did one sharp drive from Jordan Love prove enough, or are the Packers risking too much by keeping their franchise quarterback on a preseason snap count?

With Aaron Rodgers sidelined and Mason Rudolph starting, what did the Steelers really reveal about their crowded quarterback pecking order?