NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Packers QB Jordan Love is expected to play Sunday against the Vikings. Love missed the past two games after spraining his left MCL late in the Week 1 loss to the Eagles. Malik Willis started in his place for victories over the Colts and Titans.
Willis played surprisingly well across his two starts after failing out in Tennessee. But Love's return will dramatically change the Green Bay offense.
The Packers passed slightly over expectation in Week 1 (1%) with Love behind center for nearly the whole game. The past two weeks found them throwing the ball at 21% under the expected rate.
That plan clearly worked for the mobile but passing-challenged Willis. Green Bay might still lean run, with Love surely not back to 100% just three weeks after his initial injury. But we should see significantly more passing volume.
Love's 34 pass attempts in Week 1 were one more than Willis totaled over the past two weeks.
We'd try to avoid starting Love against a Vikings D that has played very well through three weeks. But he sits just above the middle of QB2 range if you need him.
That delivers a clear boost to all Green Bay pass-catchers.
We've had Love projected to play since the Week 4 rankings came out, so this news doesn't bring about any movement. But it solidifies WR Jayden Reed as a low-end WR2 option.
WRs Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs both sit in WR4 territory against a Vikings defense that ranks No. 1 in overall DVOA so far, No. 2 against the pass.
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