Fresh off signing a new $220 million contract, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love wasted no time creating a big play with a throw to one of his many ascending wide receivers to open the 2024 preseason.
On the third play from scrimmage during Saturday’s preseason opener in Cleveland, Love went deep to second-year receiver Dontayvion Wicks for a 65-yard touchdown. The Packers took a 7-0 lead and never trailed again in the 23-10 victory over the Browns.
How did the explosive play happen?
Start with the alignment. On 3rd-and-4, the Packers came out in a trips (three receivers to a side) formation, with Wicks aligned centrally, Jayden Reed lined up inside Wicks and Luke Musgrave as the perimeter receiver.
The Browns matched with a single high safety and Ronnie Hickman — the second safety — lined up over Wicks in the slot. You can bet Love saw this pre-snap and knew exactly where he was going with the ball.
“We had a great play dialed up for that situation. One-on-one with Wicks in the slot, and the safety was a little off him,” Love said post-game.
Two things happened from there.
First, Love used his eyes to manipulate the single high safety. Keying on Reed running an over route from right to left drew the safety and took him out of the picture, giving Wicks half the field to work his route-running magic in one-on-one coverage.
Using a touch of Davante Adams wizardry, Wicks hesitated at the top of the route, got Hickman to stop his feet and then used a subtle outside move to blow past him. It’s possible a quick slot corner would have had a chance to recover. Hickman, a safety, had no chance.
Wicks executed the slot fade — a staple route for the Packers under Matt LaFleur — to perfection.
“He ran a great route. He lulled him to sleep at the top and was able to go past him,” Love said.
Well, that’s one way to start: Love to Wicks 65-yard TD.
Wicks vs. a safety. Love liked that matchup. (via @NextGenStats) pic.twitter.com/E9Om7p2FwI
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) August 10, 2024
Inside the pocket, Love hit his back foot and delivered before Wicks was even past Hickman. The throw was almost perfect, hitting Wicks in stride and giving him a chance to run away from Hickman and into the end zone.
Love launched from his own 26-yard line. The ball ended up in Wicks’ hands at the Browns’ 45. Given the accuracy, it was like Love handed the ball off to Wicks 30 yards down the field.
“Put the ball out there for him and he made the rest happen. Great play by him,” Love said.
Love’s deep ball accuracy was a little erratic to start his first season as a starter, but he caught fire during the second half of the season and was one of the NFL’s better quarterbacks attacking downfield to end the year. His throw to Wicks on Saturday suggests his deep ball is only getting better.
…gonna be a problem if Jordan Love is playing faster, manipulating defenders, and finding matchups like Dontayvion Wicks vs a safety.
Doubs, Reed, Wicks are a dynamic young trio in Green Bay. Good to have football back, baby!! pic.twitter.com/cuQzgERpRM
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) August 11, 2024
Love’s final stat line on Saturday: 2/2 for 63 yards and a touchdown, with a perfect 158.3 passer rating. He departed after the opening touchdown drive.
Wicks was even more efficient. He played exactly one snap from scrimmage. His final stat line: One catch, 65 yards, and a touchdown.
