The Green Bay Packers used two total touchdowns and another efficient performance from backup quarterback Malik Willis and another dominant showing from Jeff Hafley’s defense to cruise past the Tennessee Titans by a 30-14 final at Nissan Stadium on Sunday.
Willis ran in a touchdown on the opening drive, Jaire Alexander produced a pick-six and the pass-rush slammed the door shut on the victory in Nashville.
The Packers are now 2-1 overall and 2-0 with Willis under center in place of Jordan Love.
Here is an instant analysis of the Packers’ win over the Titans in Week 3:
Final score: Packers 30, Titans 14
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| GB (2-1) | 17 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 30 |
| TEN (0-3) | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
Scoring plays
First quarter
GB 7, TEN 0: Malik Willis 5-yard run (12:25)
GB 7, TEN 7: Nick Vannett 1-yard catch (7:15)
GB 10, TEN 7: Brayden Narveson 21-yard FG (1:05)
GB 17, TEN 7: Jaire Alexander 35-yard interception return (0:51)
Second quarter
GB 20, TEN 7: Brayden Narveson 26-yard FG (0:00)
Third quarter
GB 27, TEN 7: Emanuel Wilson 30-yard catch (8:25)
GB 27, TEN 14: DeAndre Hopkins 11-yard catch (4:55)
Fourth quarter
GB 30, TEN 14: Brayden Narveson 47-yard FG (3:07)
It was over when…
… Xavier McKinney ranged to his right and intercepted Will Levis’ desperate heave on 3rd-and-16 with just over two minutes to go in the fourth quarter. The pick was McKinney’s third in three games.
Xavier McKinney has a INT in every game this year! @mckinney15__
📺: #GBvsTEN on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/cBJg4xDZSE— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024
Game balls
Offense — QB Malik Willis: The Packers backup completed 13 passes for 202 yards and one touchdown, rushed six times for 73 yards and a second score and didn’t have a turnover.
Defense — DL Devonte Wyatt: He was the star of a dominant pass-rush, tallying two sacks and three quarterback hits.
Special teams — K Brayden Narveson: In his return to Tennessee, Narveson made all three field goals (one miss negated by penalty) and all three extra points.
Key stat
The Packers out-rushed the Titans 188 to 33. It was tough sledding at times for the Packers running backs, but Malik Willis made big plays with his legs, and Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson and Jayden Reed all had a run of 10 or more yards. The Titans rushed 11 times, and their longest non-scramble rush was a 6-yard run by Tyjae Spears. The defense forced the game into Will Levis’ hands, and he mostly gave it away under heavy and consistent pressure.
Deciding factor
The Packers defense created eight sacks for -56 yards, allowed only 33 rushing yards, created three takeaways and scored a touchdown. The Titans averaged 4.5 yards per play, had just two scoring drives on 11 possessions and finished 3-for-10 on third or fourth down. This was a dominant performance from Jeff Hafley’s defense.
Malik Willis watch
Another marvelous performance from the Packers backup, who is now 2-0 as the starter with Jordan Love injured. Willis completed 68.4 percent of his passes, averaged 10.6 yards per attempt and rushed for 73 yards, including another touchdown. He made big plays on third down and didn’t have a turnover for the second consecutive game. His passer rating finished over 120.0 for the second straight week, too. In terms of backup performances over a two-week stretch, this is about as good as it gets.
Play of the game
JA$ PICK 6!#GBvsTEN pic.twitter.com/3eDsTXxy0g
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 22, 2024
The pick-six — the first of Jaire Alexander’s career — put the Packers up 17-7 in the first quarter.
Injury updates
Tight end Tucker Kraft briefly left the game with a shoulder injury but returned.
What’s next
The Packers head back home for a big-time NFC North showdown with the 3-0 Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. The Vikings blew out the Houston Texans on Sunday to remain undefeated. The Packers could return Jordan Love for the rivalry game.
