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

Allen Park – Packers backup Malik Willis has yet to catch on in the NFL as many had hoped after playing 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 went down with a groin injury in the third quarter, the Jaguars staged a small comeback and tied the game with less than two minutes remaining. Willis got the ball back and marched his team down the field, setting up kicker Brandon McManus for a 24-yarder as time expired.

The difference in Green Bay’s game-winning drive came on the second play of the possession, when the Packers used the threat of Willis’ wheels to open receiver Jayden Reed wide. With the ball on the left hash, Willis took the snap and rolled to his right, manipulating the defense into following him. Reed ran down the field and was wide open for a 51-yard pickup.

“Man, he’s a dangerous scrambler,” Lions Coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday. “That’s where it starts for him. His ability to generate explosives, get out of the pocket and take off is where he is extremely dangerous.

“There at the end of the game (against) Jacksonville they sneak out the back to (Reed), who I think might be their best receiver. … I mean, that won the game. That one game there it did, and the rest of it was just to end it for the field goal But it all starts with his legs.

With Love’s status for Week 9 up in the air (he didn’t practice Wednesday), the Packers could turn to Willis in a crucial matchup with Detroit. If that happens, it won’t be Willis’ first time in action this season. The former third-round pick has made two starts in 2024, while Love previously suffered a knee injury that led Green Bay to wins over the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans.

Willis has completed 29 of his 39 passes for 380 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions this season. He has 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 at 8.6.

“Probably just coverage for a long time,” Lions nickel cornerback Amik Robertson said of the challenges of 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 so that the entire defense and this team can be successful. That’s something we can adapt to throughout the game. ” week, but I know AG has a good plan.”

Green Bay possesses the NFL’s fifth-best rushing attack at 156.9 yards per game, and that number increased to 224.5 yards in the games Willis started. Regardless of who is at quarterback on Sunday, Campbell doesn’t think much will change for Packers coach Matt LaFleur. As Campbell put it, he expects LaFleur to lean on his “bread and butter.”

“Very, very dangerous runner, very good athlete,” Campbell said of Willis, again emphasizing the breakaway potential. “We will be ready for whatever comes our way defensively.”

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