So much for the season being over without Jordan Love. Backup quarterback Malik Willis delivered another stellar performance in leading the Packers to a 30-14 win over the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. That had to hurt the hometown fans who saw Willis traded a away three weeks ago only to lead the Packers to two wins while they sit at 0-3 with Will Levis at QB. At 2-1 the Packers sit one game behind the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North Division. The 3-0 Vikings will be at Lambeau Field Sunday for an early season division showdown.
The Packers changed their game plan from last week and came out passing pretty much like I thought they would try to do. Get the ball in their playmakers hands quickly and let them run with it. They also used a few more designed runs for Willis, who picked up 73 yards on six rushes in addition to his 202 yards passing. It was an amazing performance by Willis who will likely return to the bench next week with Love back.
Defense dominates
The real story of this game, though, might have been the Packers defense. While they did allow Will Levis to pass for 260 yards, the Titans only had 237 total yards. The defense held the Titans to 33 yards rushing and sacked Levis eight times for a loss of 56 yards. After playing contain the QB defense the first two weeks the Packers were allowed to straight up rush the QB this week and they were successful.
The Packers penchant for turnovers continued as well. They picked off Levis twice and also forced him to fumble in the second half which turned the momentum back the Packers direction in the fourth quarter. It was a solid all around performance by the defense but not exactly a great offense they shut down.
I expect Love to be back next week and it should be a dandy. The Vikings dominated the 49ers and Texans the last two weeks so the Packers will have their hands full. For now it’s another Victory Monday coming.