Can Jordan Love, Packers pull off another upset against the 49ers? | The Exempt List
Yahoo Sports NFL writer Charles McDonald is joined by The Athletic’s Nate Tice to discuss the rise of Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love and whether or not the underdog Packers can beat the top-seeded 49ers. Hear the full conversation on “The Exempt List with Charles McDonald” - part of the “Zero Blitz” podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.
Video Transcript
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CHARLES MCDONALD: Jordan Love's good. One of my buddies texted me during the game. He was like, I didn't realize Jordan Love had gotten this good. I was like, yeah, man. Because he kind of wrote them off earlier in the season once they started losing and hadn't really watched them again until this game. He was like, what the hell has happened here? Is this repeatable for them? Can they go to San Francisco and do this? I imagine it might be a little bit tougher against that defense.
NATE TICE: I think it's a little tougher. I think the offense will find ways. You can run on San Francisco. And that is one thing you can do on them. They are a little boom-busty against the run because it's just the guys they have, Bosa, Chase Young, Hargrave, those guys want to get upfield. Passing will be interesting. I'm very curious because that 49ers back end, pretty good. And they might get a little physical. Charvarius Ward might be getting a little physical with some of these young Packer receivers. So I'm curious how that'll play.
I think the other side of the ball-- I'm curious how the Packers will hold up. Joe Barry against a Kyle Shanahan offense does not have me very optimistic. This Packers defense is playing way better. But still, this is what they're known for. And now the 49ers have a week off. They have a game plan. They've played this defense before, or at least know stylings against it. So I think they'll struggle on that, unless they can force a turnover, which is-- any time you play Purdy and the Shanahan offense, you've got to get a turnover or two. But I think that, actually, the offense will have some moments. I actually the offense will hold up OK. So maybe a little bit of a shootout in San Francisco.
CHARLES MCDONALD: I'd be here for it. I hate to say this for Packers fans. But I think Jordan Love walking in there and beating this 49ers would be a crazy good story. I'm pretty here that.
NATE TICE: Oh, it would, wouldn't it?
CHARLES MCDONALD: Yeah.
NATE TICE: I am too.
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
It's not lucky. It's not lucky, how the offense plays and how Love plays. This is very, very real, which is very frustrating, I'm sure, for a lot of NFC North fans right now.
CHARLES MCDONALD: Yeah.
NATE TICE: That's what they have to deal with.