One drive, three plays, 65 yards. Touchdown. Just like that, Jordan Love set Lambeau Field ablaze. In a preseason clash that had fans buzzing, the Green Bay Packers steamrolled the Cleveland Browns 23-10. While Love was busy lighting up the scoreboard, one notable absence on the Browns’ sideline caught his attention.

When asked about not having to face Myles Garrett, the reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year, Love couldn’t help but crack a smile. “Yeah, no, definitely. Not having him on the field, just the freak player that he is, definitely makes me feel a little bit better being out there,” Love quipped during the post-game conference. “But no, he’s a phenomenal player, so I’m excited to watch him this season.”

Love’s respectful admission highlights the respect Garrett garners across the league. The Browns’ decision to rest their star defender might have given Love a sigh of relief, but it left Cleveland’s defense looking weak. Garrett’s absence was felt deeply by the Browns, who struggled to contain the Packers’ offense throughout the game. It’s a stark reminder of Garrett’s recent comments about the team’s defensive challenges.

“Red zone defense, and defense when we’re playing away,” Garrett had pointed out as areas needing improvement as per Brownsnation. “If you’re slightly off of your P’s and Q’s, that can be a touchdown instantly,” he added, emphasizing the razor-thin margins at play.

Garrett’s words carry extra weight following the Browns’ playoff exit last season. After their loss to the Texans, Garrett called it “the most painful” of his career, vowing to use it as motivation. As the Browns plan to build on last season’s defensive prowess – they allowed the least passing and total offensive yards to opponents in 2023 – Garrett’s presence will be important. For now, though, Jordan Love and the Packers can enjoy a victory and a promising start to their preseason campaign.

It wasn’t just Garrett who was missing from the Browns’ lineup. The team took a cautious approach, resting several key players including star receiver Amari Cooper and Pro Bowl left guard Joel Bitonio. Quarterback Deshaun Watson, coming off right shoulder surgery, also sat out.

In Watson’s absence, backup Jameis Winston got the start for Cleveland. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski seemed pleased with Winston’s brief outing: “I thought he operated well. I know we talk about that word operation, but it’s getting your team from the huddle to the line of scrimmage, making the correct run checks, pass checks, that type of thing. I thought he did a nice job.”

While the quarterbacks grabbed the headlines, the Packers’ kicking game also showed promise. The competition between Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph remained tight, with both kickers performing well. Carlson nailed field goals from 46 and 33 yards, while Joseph booted a 35-yarder. But it wasn’t the final score that stole the show, it was Love’s lightning-quick strike that had Cheeseheads dreaming of a new era.

Jordan Love gets the eye candy goal!

On just the third play from scrimmage, Love connected with rookie Dontayvion Wicks for a 65-yard touchdown pass. The play was a masterclass in precision and timing, leaving the Browns’ defense in the dust. “That was the goal. We had a great play for that situation,” Love explained post-game. “One slot was a little off, and he ran a great route. He was able to go past him, and, you know, I just put the ball there for him and he made the rest happen. Great play by him.”

Love’s brief but brilliant outing – completing both his pass attempts – was a tantalizing glimpse of what was to come. The 25-year-old, fresh off signing a whopping $220 million contract extension, seemed ready to pick up where he left off last season.

But Love’s appetite wasn’t quite satisfied. “I think maybe getting a couple more snaps here in the preseason would be nice,” he admitted. “We only got three plays tonight. So, just being able to get out there, get back into that mode, it was nice to get in the game today. But I think getting a longer drive and putting a couple more plays up might be nice.”

Talk about leaving them wanting more. Love’s hunger for game action speaks volumes about his drive to prove himself worthy of following in the footsteps of Brett Favre and Rodgers. It’s worth noting that Love isn’t entirely green – he led the Packers to a respectable 10-9 record last season in his first year as a starter.

Love’s connection with Wicks wasn’t a one-off miracle, either. “Yeah, definitely not surprising,” Love said of the rookie’s performance. “Since we started camp, Grant’s been making plays every day. He’s been controlling what he can control. When the ball comes to him, he’s making big-time plays.”

Even Packers coach Matt LaFleur shed light on the team’s preseason strategy: “We just wanted to get their feet wet a little bit. Knock some rust off. It’s always good not only to go out there and play but just the preparation mentally to play a game.” Love’s performance, albeit brief, has set the stage for what promises to be an exciting season in Green Bay. And who knows? Maybe next time, he’ll get to test his mettle against Garrett himself. Now that’s a matchup worth waiting for.