Err on the side of caution.
I know that Jordan Love has been practicing and he is likely close.
But I don’t want the $55 million man to play in Nashville on Sunday. He may appear to look like the springy and untouchable Jordan Love, but I’d rather wait.
Mainly because the Packers got the win against the Colts this past week in a game where everyone knew what was happening. The only thing Packers coach Matt LaFleur didn’t do was get on a bullhorn and yell to the other sideline what was coming.
Of course the Titans know exactly what Malik Willis can and cannot do. He was drafted by Tennessee in the third round in 2022. They have seen him start three games with less than marginal results.
This isn’t about revenge for Willis. This is about making sure that Love is 100 percent healthy. It’s not worth trotting him out there in a game that isn’t that consequential. Granted, if this was a playoff game, there’s no doubt that Love would be playing.
But remember, the last regular season game is Jan. 5. This is a long season. It’s even longer when your starting quarterback gets dinged up in Week 1. Which is why making sure that he’s healthy is of the utmost importance.
The perfect time for Love to make his return would be the NFC North opener vs. Minnesota on Sept. 29. With the way the upstart Vikings are playing with Sam Darnold makes that game even more important because undefeated Minnesota has a scoring differential of plus-28 and is ranked No. 8 in rushing defense by allowing 88 yards a game.
The Packers will be forced to use Willis’ arm more this week. That doesn’t mean that the run will be forgotten, but after watching the game tape, Tennessee is going to force Willis to beat them with his arm. Giving it to Josh Jacobs 32 times will not produce a win this week.
LaFleur gave the Colts so many looks and ended up confusing the defense with motion and who was getting the ball. Similarly, he can do the same thing with the passing game. Put a lot of guys in motion presnap, run play-action, run swings and screens for tight ends who have not been utilized much this season.
The Titans are one of the flimsiest offenses in the NFL by averaging 17 points and 272 yards a game. This game is actually similar to the Colts game. The Packers shouldn’t need Love to play in order to win. The Packers have the better overall roster — it will just take solid execution to win this time vs. an opponent that has common knowledge.
This game will be like playing your older brother in the backyard. He knows that you cannot run him over but you can juke him out of his holy high tops. I can already see LaFleur laughing deviously as he prepares a game plan that’s similar to the Colts, only pass heavy this time.
I think Willis can do it. He really showed me a lot last week. He came to Green Bay Aug. 27 and he has absorbed so much info that he could be ready for the LaFleur’s Offensive Final Exam.
Hopefully this will be Willis’ last test this season. But even if it isn’t, he has proven that he can win in different ways. So expect the unexpected — even on the well worn party path of Broadway Street.
Still can’t get over this throw by Malik Willis. Look where Wicks is when Willis starts his throwing motion. Incredible anticipation and pinpoint accuracy. pic.twitter.com/6hnWM8Sbr6
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) September 18, 2024
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on “Clubhouse Live” and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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