Malik Willis led the Green Bay Packers in a 30-14 victory over the Tennessee Titans in a performance that had both personal and professional significance.
Malik Willis Leads Green Bay To A Resounding Victory
Traded from Tennessee to Green Bay just before the season began, Willis filled in for the injured Jordan Love, guiding the Packers to their second straight win. His success was all the more remarkable given the Titans' strong defensive performance and their need for a win.
For Willis, the win against his former team marked an important step in his development, especially considering he had just started working with the Packers' playbook.
Willis showed versatility as both a passer and runner, a combination that helped him navigate Tennessee's defense.
Despite his short stay with the team, he caught key passes, including a 30-yard toss to Christian Watson and an 18-yard pass to Romeo Doubs. His mobility also played a crucial role, as he led the team in yards per carry with 73 on six carries.
Instead of running away under pressure, Willis showed calm, using his athleticism to make smart decisions that resulted in positive yardage. In just two games as a starter, Willis has amassed a passer rating of 123.8, with 324 yards per pass, two touchdowns and no interceptions on just 25 attempts.
Packers Defense Smothers Titans With Relentless Pressure
While Willis' performance was a key factor in the Packers' victory, the defense played a dominant role in slowing down the Titans. The Packers' defensive front recorded eight catches, overwhelming Tennessee's offensive line.
The Titans struggled to establish their ground game, finishing with just 33 yards on the ground and being forced to abandon the ground attack after falling behind early. Devonte Wyatt and Preston Smith stood out, each contributing two catches and two tackles for loss of yardage.
The constant defensive pressure also affected Titans quarterback Will Levis, who had little time to throw effectively as the Packers' defense stifled Tennessee's offense.
Xavier McKinney, a recent addition via free agency, has quickly made his presence felt in the Green Bay secondary. With three interceptions in three games, including another standout performance against the Titans, McKinney has bolstered the Packers' defense.
He also recorded five tackles, four of them solo, along with a pass breakup, providing much-needed leadership and consistency in the secondary.
The game also highlighted the growing role of Emanuel Wilson, who has taken over for injured rookie MarShawn Lloyd. Wilson rushed for 50 yards on 12 carries, showing patience and vision while waiting for running lanes to open up.
His contributions were not limited to the ground game, as he caught two passes for 35 yards and a touchdown, showing his versatility and ability to gain yards after reception (YAC). Wilson's performance suggests he could maintain a role in the rotation even after Lloyd returns from injury.
Penalty Problems
On special teams, Daniel Whelan, the Packers' kickoff returner, continued to make a quiet but critical impact. Although his yards-per-clearance averages place him lower in the league rankings, the strategic placement of his clears has helped limit opponents' field position.
His 63-yard clearance during the game was one of the highlights, and while his overall stats may not reflect it, Whelan has been effective in controlling field position, tailoring his clearances according to the situation.
However, the Packers' victory was not without its faults. The offensive line was responsible for 10 penalties, totaling 75 yards. Rasheed Walker, in particular, struggled with penalties, especially illegal formations, which have been costly for the team.
These problems slowed momentum in the first quarter and remain a point of concern, especially given the league's emphasis on enforcing these rules.
Narveson and Areas of Concern for Green Bay
Concerns with kicker Brayden Narveson also continue. Although the stat sheet shows a clean performance thanks to a missed field goal being negated by a defensive penalty, Narveson effectively finished 3-for-4 for the third straight week.
His current 75% conversion rate, particularly on attempts of less than 50 yards, has yet to cost the Packers a game, but the growing inconsistency could become a liability as the season progresses. If Narveson doesn't show improvement soon, the team may have to explore other options.
Defensively, the Packers showed encouraging signs of growth, holding Tennessee under 300 total yards and making strides in the play of their linebackers, particularly against the run. However, concerns persist in coverage, as the linebackers have been vulnerable at times.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has begun to roll out more aggressive blitz packages, including zero-coverage schemes, but consistency remains key.
Jaire Alexander's interception returned for a touchdown was a highlight, his steal resulting from a perfectly executed decoy to the Titans quarterback, further cementing his status as a playmaker in the secondary.
What a job by Malik Willis 👏 pic.twitter.com/SZs3ggg5xz
- Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 23, 2024
Difficult Decision
The Packers face a major decision regarding their quarterback situation. With Jordan Love pushing to return from injury, the team must weigh the risk of lining him up against a tough Minnesota Vikings defense known for its aggressiveness and dominance.
Given Willis' recent performance and the success in game planning by head coach Matt LaFleur, there is an argument to be made for allowing Willis to be the starter again, especially if Love is not fully recovered.
The risk of a relapse in a high-stakes game could be costly, and Willis has proven capable of running the offense effectively in Love's absence.