Packers Make Statement With Dominant Win Over Patriots

The Green Bay Packers came away with a dominant 45-27 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday.

The Packers dominated in all three phases of the game to take down the reigning AFC Champions on the road. 

Jordan Love established his place in the MVP race as he completed 23 of 29 passes for 372 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Love also rushed for a 13-yard touchdown.

Love diced up New England's defense, connecting with his top two receivers, Christian Watson and Matthew Golden, for huge games.

Watson had seven receptions for 171 yards and a touchdown, while Golden had 10 receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown. They are proving to be one of the best receiver tandems in football, making it easy for Love to connect with them on deep balls.

Savion Williams caught the other touchdown for Green Bay, finishing with three receptions for 25 yards while rushing for 13 yards on three carries. 

In the run game, the Packers were without Josh Jacobs for most of the game, as he exited with an injury. Kaleb Johnson stepped up as the lead back, rushing for 68 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Johnson made the run game look more effective than it has been this season.

On defense, Green Bay's safeties played at an elite level. Xavier McKinney is a former All-Pro, and Evan Williams is proving he could be an All-Pro as well; their execution against the Patriots only increased those odds.

McKinney came down with two interceptions off Maye while Williams had one. On the day, Maye completed 21 of 38 passes for 299 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions. They also limited New England in the run game up until garbage time.

The Packers' pass rush was also strong, as Karl Brooks had two sacks, Isaiah McDuffie had one, and Dani Dennis-Sutton and Brenton Cox Jr. split one. 

Green Bay's special teams also played well, including rookie kicker Trey Smack, who has been inconsistent. Smack made all four extra-point attempts and all three field-goal attempts, including a 51-yarder.

If Smack can be a consistent kicker down the stretch for the Packers, it will help them contend for an NFC North title and a spot in the postseason.

Green Bay's schedule doesn't get easier next week, as they take on the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers need to carry this momentum into that game, as winning their divisional matchups is pivotal to a chance at the division title.