Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans made some noteworthy comments about quarterback Jordan Love on Monday. While previewing the Texans’ Week 7 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, Ryans pointed out that the outcome could largely depend on how well Houston’s defense can contain Love.
“Going against Jordan Love this week, he’s going to be the best quarterback we’ve seen this year,” the Texans said. the head coach said. “It’s going to be a really, really tough match.”
Ryans’ claim is bold but it carries weight. Love ranks second in the league with 12 passing touchdowns and averages 282.7 yards per game while recovering from a knee injury he suffered late in Green Bay’s loss in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil.
Jordan Love receives high praise from DeMeco Ryans
Love is coming off a breakout 2023 season, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 32 touchdowns in his first year as the Packers’ starter. Even if he still makes costly mistakes, the Texans will look to exploit those vulnerabilities. Despite this, Ryans’ view aligns with a growing consensus about Green Bay’s quarterback potential.
The second-year starter has just put together his best performance of the season. Love passed for 258 yards and four touchdowns in a 34-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, completing 22 of 32 attempts.
DeMeco Ryans defense stifled former MVP favorite Josh Allen, limiting him to a career-low 30 percent completion rate in their Week 5 win over the Buffalo Bills. In their next game, the Texans intercepted third-overall 2024 draft pick Drake Maye three times, dominating the New England Patriots with a 41-21 victory.
Ryans hinted that Jordan Love could outperform Josh Allen in their next match. Allen, widely considered one of the best quarterbacks in the league, struggled in a recent game against the Texans.
Love, who hasn’t played every game this season, has shown promise, but suggesting he could surpass Allen’s performance has sparked controversy and speculation among fans and analysts.
Ryans puts some love on Josh Allen
Allen struggled against Houston, completing just 9 of 30 passes for just 131 yards and a touchdown. These statistics are below his usual performance levels.
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According to ESPN stats analyst Alaina Getzenberg, Allen’s 30 percent completion rate marks the lowest for any quarterback with 30 or more attempts over the past three decades.
Texans safety Calen Bullock, who caught Maye’s first career interception, acknowledges they will face a higher level of competition this week.
“Jordan Love is a talented, talented quarterback. I think everyone knows that. He’s in a good zone with Green Bay. He has a good receiving corps that he believes in. A lot of these guys are fading, and we know we have to be ready for that challenge,” Bullock said via Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle.
Love has thrown 12 passing touchdowns in just four games this season, missing two games with a sprained MCL. His total ranks second in the league alongside Joe Burrow and places him just three touchdowns behind NFL leader Baker Mayfield, who has 15. Love’s touchdown totals through his first four games reflect some of Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre’s MVP seasons.
The matchup between CJ Stroud and Jordan Love should be one of the best quarterback battles in the NFL this season, reinforcing Ryans’ statement. The two teams will meet at Lambeau Field at 1 p.m. Eastern, with the game airing on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
