Coach Kyle Shanahan of San Francisco and linebacker Fred Warner of the 49ers had nothing but respect for the opponent quarterback, Jordan Love, as their team got ready to play the Green Bay Packers in the divisional playoff round on Saturday.
Shanahan showered Love with praise prior to practice on Tuesday, praising his growth over the season.
“What progress he’s made.” Shanahan informed the press. “He’s performing at such a high level; to be thrust into the starting lineup early in the season and experience some ups and downs (though he also performed well earlier in the year), but also to not win all those games when you have a challenging record in your first year, the pressure that accompanies that, and simply to watch him play every game, he’s been consistent.” It is amazing how well he has handled the ball: in the last ten games, he has scored 21 touchdowns and only had one interception.
The 49ers have taken note of Love’s offensive prowess in his first season as Green Bay’s starting quarterback, as he led the team to a 9-8 regular-season record and a thrilling upset of the Dallas Cowboys in the wild-card round.
Warner also showed reporters how much the 49ers’ defense has been observing Love’s growth this season and how difficult it will be to play against him in a win-or-go-home game. Warner was highly appreciative of the young Packers quarterback.
Warner told reporters, “I’ll just talk to Jordan Love, and his current style of play is really great.”
“He’s doing a tremendous job in the gun and under center, as seen by some of the mannerisms and things that you see popping up, which are certainly things that he learned from Aaron [Rodgers]. It will undoubtedly be a major test for us since he is making the throws and wise choices that you look for in a young player at that position.
At the beginning of the season, there were many doubts about Love’s potential to succeed Aaron Rodgers. Despite Love’s early growing pains, the Packers, who had one of the youngest teams in the league, found their rhythm and qualified for the NFL playoffs.
With 32 touchdown passes in the 2023 regular season, Love trailed only 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy in that category.
With this game marking an NFL record tenth time San Francisco and Green Bay have squared off in the NFC playoffs, the 49ers and Packers’ next battle is shaping up to be another classic chapter between the two famous clubs.
The 49ers have triumphed in the last four postseason encounters between the two clubs, the most recent of which took place at Lambeau Field in the 2022 NFC divisional playoff round with an incredible 13-10 victory.
The 49ers and Packers will play on Saturday, January 20, at 1:30 p.m. at Levi’s Stadium.
