Malik Willis is a game-changer and changes the Packers' fortunes against the Jaguars

GREEN BAY, Wis. – With the game potentially on the line, the Green Bay Packers could have gone into overtime against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday and hoped for the best.

Instead, backup quarterback Malik Willis, who joined the team almost exactly two months ago, hadn't played a snap since Week 3 and didn't play a single snap with the offense in practice this week, changed the game.

Coach Matt LaFleur calls them “can” games. There is a play called “quarterback.” may Switch it to a second game.

Willis' decision was the decisive – unforgettable – play in Green Bay's 30-27 victory.

“Not only was it a can-do play, it was a play that we didn’t have in the game plan,” LaFleur said. “We talked about it on Tuesday. We thought there might be something there, decided against it and then let the goalkeeper run earlier in the game.”

The adjustment came at the suggestion of passing game coordinator Jason Vrable.

“He was like, 'Hey, it looks like the play is there,'” LaFleur continued. “And so we used it on the sidelines. So no repetitions in practice. I think it's a huge credit to our guys that they can go out there and make it happen. Jayden Reed, Tucker (Kraft), the O-line, the backs, everyone sells it. And finally Malik makes the throw.

“So that was pretty cool. Probably one I’ll never forget.”

The Packers gained possession on their 30th point with 1:48 on the clock. On the first play, it was a normal handoff to Josh Jacobs for 4 yards. Exactly 35 seconds later, the Packers grabbed the ball on second down.

Willis faked a handoff to the left and began kicking to the right. Tight end Tucker Kraft, who started as a winger on the left side, crossed the formation to his right at the snap. Receiver Jayden Reed, who started as a winger on the right side, collided with star defender Travon Walker.

It all looked like a bootleg, with Willis having a chance to run to his right or throw it into the flat for strength.

But none of it was true.

“We were looking for this particular look and didn't get it the first time,” Willis said. “We actually showed it twice and we only played the first play and then we played it again and we got the look we were looking for and just went for it. It was perfect. We love watching it.”

Instead of booting to the right, Willis lined up between the hashes. Instead of going to the flat, Kraft provided pass protection. Instead of staying in touch with Walker, Reed ran a cross route to the left in front of the linebackers and started upfield.

Security Andrew Cisco noticed too late. As he tried to keep up with Reed, he slipped on the grass.

Reed was open. Wide open.

“I'm sure they thought, 'What the hell are these guys doing?' They’re going to play for overtime,” LaFleur said. “I was just hoping there would be a strong rotation and with the amount of single safety they played throughout the game I had a pretty good idea that we could have a chance and we did. “”

The pass was perfect. Reed caught the ball at the Jaguars' 41 and was forced out of bounds by Darnell Savage at the 16.

“If you watch me on that play, I had my hands up. As soon as he caught the ball, I thought he was going to score,” Jacobs said. “We believe in him. There aren't many people in this league who can catch him running at full speed. For Malik to be able to make that play, for him to make the big catch and get the yards, that was definitely necessary.”

Jacobs ran for 3 yards on the next play. At that point, the Jaguars' only hope was to allow the Packers to score a touchdown. They tried, but Chris Brooks ran for 8 before sliding to the turf at 4. Willis went down a few times and Brayden Narveson hit the chip-shot field goal for his second game-winner in as many weeks.

“All I know is we’ve been here before,” Reed said. “It's not easy to win in this league. Every Sunday, so every Sunday you have to come in with that mindset and mentality and just play from start to finish.”

The Packers are 6-2, with three of their wins coming courtesy of Willis, who was a member of the Titans two months ago.

When Willis first faced the Colts in Week 2, he was tasked with following the most conservative game plan imaginable. On Sunday, LaFleur was anything but conservative when he credited Willis with winning the game.

“It was pretty damn impressive,” LaFleur said. “Impressive is the word.”

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