“Huge game” from Packers QB Malik Willis gets the win

He had 1:48 on the clock and two timeouts, but LaFleur wanted to pounce. The play he called wasn't even in the game plan, but on a keep or rob pass earlier, offensive passing game coordinator Jason Vrable realized the downfield shot might be there. So it was discussed on the sidelines and put on the (mental) call sheet if necessary.

Now the time had come. LaFleur called for a running play with a “can” or audible keep pass for the play-action – looking for the Jaguars to give them the right coverage look for the longer throw.

Willis didn't see it, so no change at the line on first down. But perhaps the conservative early run and the fact that the Packers were defending a lead with Willis lulled the Jaguars to sleep a little.

“I’m sure they thought, ‘What the hell are these guys doing? They’re going to play for overtime,'” LaFleur said. “I had a pretty good idea. Because of the amount of single safety they played throughout the game, there was a good chance we could get it, and we got it.”

On second down, the same play, the same “can” call, and the look was there. Willis checked it.

The defense held firm and Reed was wide open down the sideline to Willis' left. The throw was right for him and it made it to the Jacksonville 15-yard line, ending the game.

“I try to read it true,” Willis said. “J-Reed jumped up and I’m glad we brought it to him.”

It was a remarkable finish, especially for a quarterback who completes all of his practice reps on the scout team. His first team representatives during the week? “None,” Willis said.

Not that it bothered him.

“Every week we have two minutes (in training). Even though I didn’t get those reps done, they’re mental reps,” Willis said. “See how Matt calls it and gives intent to every play. I just try to stay on the same wavelength as him.”

“I mean, we've been fortunate to have a replacement that can come in and really be the guy that's really capable of creating things like that,” Jacobs said. “We all said in the huddle – Tucker Kraft said, 'Man, we've been here before,' and we all know how it felt.”

“We just had confidence in him and he came out and did what he always did. He played a ball.”

He also prevented Jacksonville from regaining possession of the ball. QB Trevor Lawrence played without his top two receivers (Brian Thomas Jr. and Christian Kirk) due to injuries, but that didn't seem to matter. Overtime, the way things were going, would have been a delicate matter at best.

“I’m really pleased with the performance of our group and the resiliency of our group,” LaFleur said. “That’s difficult when the momentum swings in one direction. It’s a crazy phenomenon.”

“To be able to go in there at the end of the game and have Jayden Reed make a huge play there….”