You know how people will often use the phrase, “It’s not even close” when, in fact, it is close? Well, no quarterback in the NFL pushes the ball downfield more than Jordan Love and it truly is “not even close.”
Per PFF, Love has attempted 52 passes of 20-or-more air yards. That’s an average of 6.5 per game. Number two on the list, C.J. Stroud, has thrown 35 over seven weeks (5 per), and Drake Maye 34 (4.25 per).
“He hunts explosives,” Patriots defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr said.
“They take a lot of shots,” Christian Gonzalez noted.
No argument here. Love has a huge arm, but also two of the speediest wideouts in football: Christian Watson and Matthew Golden. Watson has 13 receptions for 20 or more, and Golden has 9 (that number would be higher if he caught the ball consistently). The Pats, in theory, have the corners to stand up to a bombs away type of game, assuming Gonzalez (who should shadow Watson) and Carlton Davis are at the top of their game, or at least better than they were in Miami.
“That's a nasty duo there about taking the top off,” Kuhr said.
“Watson may be the fastest receiver in the league,” Kevin Byard added. “He's always a big play threat anytime he touches the ball. But also Matthew Golden… has a lot of juice. He's building a really good rapport. I know he's dropped some passes and stuff like that, but he's getting open. He's creating separation.”
Love is hardly a one-trick pony. His head coach, Matt LaFleur, claims his quarterback has “got to be the best I’ve been around in terms of protections and adjustments, and rarely does he get out-schemed.” That drew rebuke from his previous QB in Green Bay, the always agreeable Aaron Rodgers (sarcasm intended). But the Pats are picking up what LaFleur put down.
“Whether he's sight adjusting and the ball's coming out quick, or he's changing the protection and making a call, communicating, I think I've seen that growth over the last couple years,” Mike Vrabel said. “A quarterback that’s wildly efficient. He has a few off days, but they’re few and far between.”
“He does a great job of taking the quick throw,” Kuhr said. “He's got a pretty fast average time to throw, and he does good against pressure and sees it quick and gets rid of it quick. But also he does a great job if he feels like he's not under duress. Like he just stays in there, calm feet, delivers.”
Staying calm isn't easy for any quarterback, but especially for Love. If you thought the Pats offensive line was suspect, let me