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Lions recognize threat from QB Malik Willis if Jordan Love can’t play

Sakege October 31, 2024

Allen Park – Packers backup Malik Willis has yet to catch on in the NFL as many expected after he served as a dual-threat quarterback at Liberty, but the danger of his mobility is something defenses still fear.

Just look at the end of Green Bay’s 30-27 win over Jacksonville on Sunday. After starting quarterback Jordan Love suffered a groin injury in the third quarter, the Jaguars staged a small comeback and tied the game with less than two minutes remaining. Willis recovered the ball and led his team down the field, setting up kicker Brandon McManus for a 24-yard play as time expired.

The difference in Green Bay’s winning drive came on the second play of possession, when the Packers used the threat of Willis’ wheels to scheme receiver Jayden Reed wide. With the ball lined up on the left side, Willis took the center and rolled to the right, manipulating the defense to follow him. Reed ran down the field and left himself wide open for a 51-yard pickup.

“Man, he’s a dangerous coder.” lions coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday. “That’s where it all starts for him. His ability to generate explosives, get out of the pocket and take off, that’s where he’s extremely dangerous.

“There, at the end of the game (against) Jacksonville, they threw a sneaky little one from behind to (Reed), who I think is possibly their best receiver… I mean, that won the game. That play right there did it. “And the rest was just to finish before the field goal. But it all starts with your legs.”

With Love’s status for Week 9 up in the air (he didn’t practice Wednesday), the Packers may turn to Willis in a pivotal matchup with Detroit. If that happens, it won’t be the first time Willis has stepped in this season. The former third-round pick was a two-time starter in 2024 while Love dealt with a previous knee injury, leading Green Bay to wins over the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans.

Willis has completed 29 of his 39 passes this season for 380 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also added 137 yards and a score on the ground. Among quarterbacks with at least 15 rushing attempts, Willis ranks No. 1 in yards per carry with 8.6.

“We probably just covered for a long time,” Lions nickel cornerback Amik Robertson said of the challenges that come with being paired with a mobile quarterback. “But like I said before, I know (defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn). He’s going to come up with a great game plan for this entire defense and this team to be successful. That’s something we can adjust to throughout the rest of the year. week, but I know AG has a good game plan.

Green Bay has the fifth-best rushing attack in the NFL with 156.9 yards per game, and that number skyrocketed to 224.5 yards in games Willis started. No matter who the quarterback is on Sunday, Campbell doesn’t think much will change for Packers coach Matt LaFleur. As Campbell said, he expects LaFleur to lean on his “bread and butter.”

“Very, very dangerous running back, very good athlete,” Campbell said of Willis, once again highlighting his ability to escape. “We’ll be prepared for anything that comes our way defensively.”

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