Jordan Love Led to Packers’ Controversial Call

All things considered, it’s probably not what the Packers should have done. And it was not coach Matt LaFleur’s first instinct, not with this team trailing by three points and facing a fourth-and-two from the Arizona 29-yard line with 2:32 to play. In fact, LeFleur had sent out the field-goal unit for a try of about 46 yards.

But as he sent out kicker Lucas Havrisik, the fill-in for the injured Brandon McManus who set a franchise record by making a last-second 61-yarder at the end of the first half, LaFleur caught sight of quarterback Jordan Love.

Then he called a time out and called Havrisik back in, deciding to be aggressive and go for the first down there. After the game, LaFleur was asked why.

“I saw the disdain on the quarterback’s face,” he said.

Jordan Love felt the Packers could convert the first and push for the go-ahead touchdown. He was right. The Packers completed a 15-yard pass, and three plays later, they scored a touchdown to take a 27-23 lead, the final score of the game in Arizona.

Jordan Love Found Tucker Kraft

The key play was the 15-yard throw from Love on that fourth down just before the two-minute warning. It went to Tucker Kraft, who beat Dadrion Taylor-Demerson on the left sideline for the 15-yard catch.

Kraft, Love said was not the first option. But he was the open one, and Kraft made his fifth catch of the day (for 58 yards)

“We had two plays called, and the play we called really wasn’t designed for Tuck but we got three options right there,” Kraft said. “The first two they did a good job, and Tuck did a great job going up and being able to win. It’s all one-on-one, it’s all man across the board. Someone’s gotta win there, and Tuck did.”

The Packers ran three plays to Josh Jacobs to punch in the touchdown.

Packers Now 4-1-1

But while the Packers looked sloppy and overmatched for much of the game, the fourth-down decision was the talk of the postgame.

“It’s a tough one,” Love said. “You’re sitting there and you’re thinking what the situation is. Three points ties it up, but you sit there and you’re like, man there is a lot of time left. They can go down there and kick a field goal with that for the win with that much time and the time outs.”

For the 4-1-1 Packers, it was a major decision, Love said.

“It’s big time,” he said. “Obviously I think for Matt to go for that in that situation, and to have confidence in us to go make a play and for us to go out there and do it, that’s one of those decisions that is gonna suck if we don’t get it but when you do, it made us able to go out there and get the win. It’s big time, big-time play by Tuck to go out there and get that. And obviously to finish it off with the touchdown is huge.”

Packers’ Jordan Love Credits Coach

Love said he loved the decision and while LaFleur credited Love’s disdain for the Packers’ aggressiveness, Love said the choice belonged to LaFleur.

“It was quick. I could see us deciding what we were gonna do, obviously sent the kick team came out and we were still thinking about it,” Love said. “Matt ultimately decided we were gonna go for it, so he called that time out. But that’s really all Matt having that confidence.”

LaFleur explained the willingness to gamble.

“Scared money don’t make money,” the coach said.

Ex-Steelers QB Kenny Pickett Faces Big Adversity In Raiders Debut

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Kenny Pickett hoping that he could be the face of the franchise. At first, things started off reasonably well, as Pickett showed the promise of a young quarterback steadily improving. He frequently delivered in high-pressure situations, helping guide Pittsburgh on game-winning drives and earning the trust of coaches and teammates. Fans were optimistic that he could develop into a cornerstone of the Steelers’ offense.

However, after just two seasons, Pickett decided he wanted a fresh start, and the Steelers traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles. His time in Pittsburgh had been a mix of encouraging moments and growing pains, but the move marked the end of his tenure with the team that had drafted him. While he had flashes of brilliance, the fit ultimately wasn’t what either Pickett or the Steelers had hoped for in the long term.

Pickett is now with the Las Vegas Raiders, and on Sunday, late in the regular season game, he made his debut with his new team. The performance gave fans a first look at him in a Raiders uniform. However, it couldn't have started much worse for Pickett. He fumbled the snap right away, giving the football back to the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Pickett gave the ball away right when he got in the game, causing him to miss out on a potential drive. The Raiders’ starting quarterback, Geno Smith, signed a massive deal with the team in the 2025 offseason. However, he has struggled significantly to start the season. On Sunday, Smith played so poorly that the Raiders fell behind badly, prompting the team to put Pickett into the game.

When Pickett entered, he completed both of his passes for a total of eight yards. With the game already out of hand, he did not have much of a chance to show what he could do. Still, his brief appearance has sparked conversation about what the Raiders might do at quarterback moving forward.

It does not appear that Smith will be benched, despite his struggles, but his poor play has put Pickett’s name back into the discussion. Fans and analysts may start to wonder if he could get a larger opportunity as the season continues. It will be interesting to see how the Raiders handle their quarterback situation in the coming weeks. 

With so much money committed to Smith and Pete Carroll’s strong faith in him, it is hard to believe he will be benched. However, anything is possible when you are playing as poorly as he has.

Steelers' Former First-Round Pick In Kenny Pickett Fumbles In Raiders Debut

Any time a player gets an opportunity to enter a game as a backup, it is never ideal to start with a turnover. That could not have been easy for Pickett, but it was adversity he had to face and overcome. 

The fumble will not help his case as he tries to challenge a struggling veteran quarterback in Smith, but it is a moment that tests a player’s resilience and poise under pressure. Pickett surely would have wished his first drive had gone much differently, but with Smith struggling, he now has a chance to earn more opportunities moving forward. 

Pickett will be working extra hard in practice as he tries to take advantage of any opportunity moving forward. Steelers fans will continue to follow along his journey.

 

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