Things were starting to look bleak again for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Down seven to the two-win New York Giants, drops from their receivers and corners on big plays. Josh Jacobs had already left the game due to injuries, and now Jordan Love was headed to the locker room after taking a big hit on a run.
Out came Malik Willis, with the Packers facing a 2nd and 16 at the Giants’ 40-yard line. Chris Brooks made it a more manageable 3rd-and-8, and with the wind howling, a field goal would be a tough get from that distance. Willis did what he does best, pulling back the inside zone handoff and taking it himself for 16 yards to pick up the first down.
Just a few plays later on 3rd-and-goal, Willis found Christian Watson in the endzone on an incredible throw and catch to put the Packers on the board. Love returned on the next drive and continued to play a great game despite the drops, leading the Packers to a much-needed win in the Meadowlands.
Impact on the Packers
This is by no means saying Malik should start over Jordan Love moving forward, because that would be just a ridiculous take. What I will say is that without him, the Packers may not have won that game, and we may be having a completely different conversation right now.
The value of having someone like Willis, who can come off the bench like that and have the offense not miss a beat, cannot be understated. This drive and touchdown gave the Packers life on offense and perhaps awakened something in Matt LaFleur that fans have been pushing for all season long.
Matt has a sheet of plays dialed up for Willis in case of moments like this one. Combine that with the fact that Jacobs (after the TD drive) was out for the game, and we saw the Packers’ head coach finally start calling some aggressive plays down the stretch. The play-calling then fed right into Love and the offense, and it showed immediately, then carried over into the 2nd half of the game.
Let Jordan Love Cook
From the moment the Packers took the field in the 2nd half, it was clear that LaFleur finally began to trust his quarterback and dig into his bag to draw up aggressive plays. Love threw the ball five times on that opening drive, and wouldn’t you know it, marched the offense down the field and found Josh Whyle in the endzone for the score.
Jordan started to look more confident in the pocket and made the plays when he needed to, including a perfect pass and an even better catch to Watson that ended up being the game-winner.
Love earned himself Pro Football Focus’ Offensive Player of the Week, with a career-high 93.1 PFF grade.
What it all Means
At 6-3-1 now, the Packers avoided a three-game slide and kept pace in the NFC North. Willis’ drive changed the narrative by showing that LaFleur can pivot when needed and return to a solid play-calling groove.
This isn’t hyperbole; Willis’ drive was the match-stick moment that ignited hope for the Packers. It unlocked their play-calling, steadied the offense, and gave the season a shot in the arm. For fans of the Green Bay Packers, it’s the kind of moment you remember when you’re looking back in January and asking: “What was this team’s key turning point?”
Now let’s ride this wave and continue to grow as the season progresses.
