Troy Aikman weighs in on Jordan Love's struggles, 'enormous pressure' on him

To say it was a rough night for Packers quarterback Jordan Love in Monday night’s game against the Raiders would be an understatement. The Green Bay signal caller struggled to get much of anything going in a 17-13 loss as Las Vegas defensive end Maxx Crosby was all over him and the Packers backfield.

Love finished the evening just 16-of-30 (53.3%) passing for 182 yards and three interceptions with no touchdowns. That included a pick on the Packers’ final drive of the game, which followed two incompletions and came with 44 seconds remaining to end hope of a comeback.

ESPN analyst Troy Aikman, who called the game, joined ESPN postgame to offer his thoughts on Love’s performance.

“I had his first start a few years back in his second year when he played in Kansas City,” Aikman said. “It was a tough game for him. Those are big shoes to step into. There’s no doubt. Aaron Rodgers did it when he replaced Brett Favre and now it’s Jordan Love’s turn.

“There’s a lot of expectations and you’re right. We’re in an age where we don’t really allow guys to develop. Granted, it’s his fourth year. So it’s not like he’s a rookie player that just played his sixth game. But there were a lot of things working against Jordan Love today.”

Ultimately, Aikman cited Crosby and the Raiders pass rush as being the difference. Love was never truly able to have much time to throw the ball, which is more on the offensive line than him. Crosby finished the game with one sack and four tackles for loss.

Love started the year off hot, throwing for six touchdowns with no interceptions through his first two games. Since then, however, he has just two touchdowns to six interceptions.

Watching the Packers QB, Aikman believes that has something to do with the pressure to live up to expectations that Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre created before him.

“I think when I watched him coming into this game, there’s been times when he’s looked really good,” Aikman explained. “I also sense that he feels an enormous amount of pressure. When I watch him, it seems like he knows that pressure is there. It’s on his face.

Tonight, I don’t know that it much mattered. I don’t think it would have mattered who was playing quarterback. He didn’t have much time. Maxx Crosby, of course, was the issue. They weren’t able to run the football and, quite honestly, that’s been a problem for this team throughout the season.”

The loss was the second straight for Green Bay and its third in the past four games as it fell to 2-3 on the season. Jordan Love and the Packers will hope to get back on track next week as they have a quick turnaround against Denver on Sunday.