Packers drop 45 on Patriots as Love throws for 372
Green Bay's quarterback and receivers combined for 478 total yards, while New England committed four turnovers and set a franchise record for points allowed at home.
By Pedro Barnes ·
The New England Patriots gave up 45 points on Sunday, a new franchise record for the Gillette Stadium venue since its opening in 2002. The loss to the Green Bay Packers, 45-27, left the hosts with a 5-4 record and highlighted a defensive collapse that has plagued the team all season.
Jordan Love led the Packers' offense with a performance that included 372 passing yards and 372 total yards. He completed three passes of at least 43 yards and seven of 28 yards or more. Coach Matt LeFleur noted that Love makes difficult throws look easy, describing them as low percentage plays that still connect with receivers.
The receiving corps contributed heavily to the high score. Christian Watson caught seven passes for 171 yards and a touchdown, while Matthew Golden hauled in 10 receptions for 164 yards and a score. Kaleb Johnson and Savion Williams also found the end zone on the ground and through the air, respectively. Green Bay finished with 478 total yards of offense.
Turnovers decided the game. The Packers scored 21 points directly from four Patriots turnovers. Drake Maye threw three interceptions on the day, completing 21 of 38 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns. Maye had thrown only one interception in his previous four games but now ties Justin Herbert for the most in the league with 11.
Maye acknowledged the error rate as a key factor in the loss. He stated that the team has not had a clean game without turnovers yet and that it starts with him. He described ball security as one of the biggest differences between winning and losing in football.
Green Bay, which entered the game last in the NFL in rushing with an average of 60.6 yards per game, managed 129 rushing yards on Sunday. The team improved to 6-3, marking its fifth win in its last six contests. The last time the Packers scored 45 points or gained 450 yards was in Philadelphia on November 11, 1962.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel conceded the defeat plainly, saying the team was kicked in the rear end with no two ways to look at it. Fans in the stands chanted for Love as an MVP candidate late in the game. Love called the feeling surreal and said he could not remember a better game.
