If Jordan Love is very invested in something beyond football, it’s Halloween. Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love and his wife, Ronika Stone Love, have been known for their extravagant costumes. This Halloween, though, the holiday is in the backseat. Just days before the Packers face the Carolina Panthers, Love revealed that his usual Halloween plans have been changed and there’s a good reason why.

On the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams, Love stunned everybody with the surprise cancellation. As Adams inquired, “What’s the plan for this year? You guys really go all in. I love Halloween plans.” Love stunned her with his response. ”We do, we do — we’re taking this Halloween off,” he chuckled. Adams was surprised and reacted, “You’re that dialed in??”

It’s a minor decision, but it says volumes about where Love’s head is at. As they will be playing the Panthers on Sunday, he doesn’t want any distractions before that. Halloween will be celebrated by the quarterback, not under party lights but under the bright lights of Lambeau Field.

And as the captain of a revitalized 5-1-1 Packers team, it’s a testament to commitment, even on one of his favorite holidays. We can take an idea from August, the Packers, after the training camp arranged a “Throwback Night,” dressing in vintage 1970s-type attire. Love’s retro all-black outfit, including his gold “peace” chain, and Ronika’s coordinating earrings, soon were splashed all over TikTok. The choreographed dance duo’s routine was a playful highlight and wink to Love’s easy-going off-field personality.

That is why this Halloween pick stands out.

The couple who went all out for the themed holiday are missing one of their usual traditions. But they’re not eliminating the holiday. Love indicated they’ll still be handing out candy to trick-or-treaters in the neighborhood.

The Packers themselves pre-gamed Halloween spirit a bit sooner this month. Lambeau Field was turned into a “Spooktacular” family event. Children filtered in costume to enjoy cookie decorating, craft booths, and activities. It provided the Green Bay community with something to cheer for, and the leader of the team kept his eyes firmly set on next Sunday’s game.

Professionally, he’s performed as well as anyone, having just equaled Brett Favre’s franchise record of 20 straight completions in Green Bay’s 35-25 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was a statement game validating his increased confidence and accuracy as the Packers’ franchise quarterback. With the offense humming along all cylinders and the defense remaining the course, Green Bay’s balance makes them a genuine NFC contender.

Love’s Packers vs Panthers

Carolina, which was bashed by the Buffalo Bills in its last game, will look to rebound. “We looked at the tape in the film and discussed what the reason was behind it, and from that we just fixed things and moved forward,” Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard said this week. “We got Green Bay this week, so that’s where our focus is.”

History is not on the Panthers’ side. The Packers are 6-12 all-time against the Panthers, 0-1 in postseason play. They last played Christmas Eve of 2023, and that was a normal win for Green Bay by the narrowest of margins, 33-30. The Packers have been difficult to beat at Lambeau Field, and when Green Bay’s offense gets going, the Panthers have a mountain to scale at Lambeau.

In the meantime, the Packers have a great deal of momentum heading into this game.

Love and wideout Romeo Doubs’ rapport is still at the forefront. The two players had already connected 27 times this season for 350 yards and four touchdowns. Doubs is reliable and works well with Matthew Golden, who catches for an average of 12 yards each time.

Running back Josh Jacobs contributed versatility with 19 catches for 191 yards out of the backfield. Overall, it’s this balance on offense that provides Love a variety of weapons and the ability to change his style of play.

It’s not Halloween that sits at the forefront of franchise quarterback Jordan Love’s mind. The main event starts at Lambeau.