The defensive heroes of the San Francisco 49ers are aware that they will have their hands full against Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love on Saturday. In the Divisional Playoff game at Levi’s Stadium, defensive end Nick Bosa is aware that it will be up to him and his pass-rushing colleagues to put Love under duress.
“I don’t think many teams have made him uncomfortable yet, so stopping the run and covering up those easy, open guys is something we have to do,” Bosa stated to reporters on Tuesday.
If Bosa and company are unable to disrupt the quarterback, one of the players assigned to make sure Love doesn’t make big plays will be cornerback Deommodore Lenoir. In his last nine games, Love has thrown 21 touchdown passes and just one interception. In Sunday’s Wild Card blowout against the Dallas Cowboys, Love completed three touchdown passes.
“He’s a great QB, knows how to fit the ball in tight spaces,” Lenoir stated. “He has a good arm, and he trusts his receivers.”
Love’s role in helping the Packers turn around their season following a 3-6 start has been praised by another 49ers defender.
Linebacker Fred Warner remarked, “The way that he’s playing right now is really great.” “He’s doing a wonderful job in the gun and under centre, as seen by some of the mannerisms and things that you see popping up, which are certainly things that he acquired from Aaron [Rodgers].
“You want the best out of a young guy at that position, and he’s making the throws and wise choices. It will undoubtedly present us with great challenges.
Kyle Shanahan, the head coach, attributed the Packers’ success this season to their ability to guard the football. He said, “When you don’t turn it over, no matter what happens, you got a chance to win in every game.”
Love’s outstanding judgement in the closing moments has been largely responsible for that.
“You talk about the decision-making for a young player,” Warner pointed out, “and it’s obviously his first year starting at that position, so you want to make sure that player is taking care of the football and making the plays when they should be made, off-schedule.
“And I believe that’s where he’s improvedârecognizing that the ball is precisely where it should be, but he can also use his legs to check the ball down and avoid forcing anything if it’s not there. I believe he has most improved upon that.
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