The Green Bay Packers have an important divisional matchup when they take on the Detroit Lions this Sunday in Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season. Head coach Matt LaFleur’s side are battling for first place in the NFC North, and while it has not yet been confirmed whether quarterback Jordan Love will start, one of the star’s teammates has had some choice words for his opponents.
While LaFleur has spoken well of his rival Jared Goff, the rest of the Packers‘ squad is not in a good mood when it comes to the Lions. There has been some debate about the Detroit franchise’s approach at the end of games when they have a big lead, such as trying to tackle touchdown-eligible passes.
Jordan Love’s teammate who sent a strong message to the Detroit Lions was none other than Xavier McKinney. “In my opinion, I think they’re trying to embarrass people and I think this organization and the players that we have here are not going to take that lightly. We know that’s what they’re going to come in here and try to do. I really don’t respect that,” McKinney warned in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
It’s clear that games are often won in the details. In this case, the Packers safety noticed a type of strategy he did not approve of. The intensity of the quest for a fifth consecutive win against division rivals is palpable in the atmosphere.
Xavier McKinney’s performance in the 2024 NFL season
McKinney is in his first season with the Packers and has already become an important player to go along with Love in the goal of going far in the league. In the current campaign, the former New York Giants safety has played all eight games as a starter, recording 36 combined tackles (26 solo).
Jordan Love in doubt for game against Lions
The Packers’ starting quarterback remains day-to-day after leaving last week’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a groin injury. Love is listed as questionable after being replaced last weekend by Malik Willis, who has already started two games this season and proved he can be a key player.