The Green Bay Packers got back on track this week as they overcame a few injuries to snap a two-game losing streak and defeat the New York Giants, 27-20, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Nov. 16.
The biggest of those injuries came early in the game, as Packers quarterback Jordan Love appeared to injure his shoulder when he was tackled on a scramble. This called for backup quarterback Malik Willis to step in and throw for Green Bay’s first passing touchdown in the past nine quarters.
Willis was not relied on too long, though, as Love quickly made his return to the game on the very next drive.
“You know, it was tough. I went in and got evaluated and figured it was good enough to come back, so I came back in,” said Love, about his shoulder. “It was definitely not fun. It was just a small injury, so we will reevaluate it when we get back, look at it, see what’s going on, but it’s not fun.”
The second of the notable injuries for Green Bay in this game came by way of running back Josh Jacobs, who was forced out of the game after injuring his knee in the second quarter. While it is concerning that Jacobs did not return to the game, reports are that the injury is not significant enough to put Jacobs out for the rest of the season.
“I think any time a player, especially of his magnitude, doesn’t finish a game, you are always concerned about the welfare of them,” said Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
This win over the Giants saw the Packers score more points than during the team’s previous two games combined. Love finished the game completing 13-of-24 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns. In his lone drive in place of Love, Willis completed 2-of-2 passes for six yards and one touchdown.
“Just a big time job by (Willis),” said Love. “It is always tough being the backup. You know, you have to stay ready; you never know when that opportunity is going to come, and so it is tough. I have been there. But he did a great job staying ready, coming in and leading us to a touchdown drive. Doing exactly what he needed to do.”
Willis’ touchdown pass was completed to Christian Watson, who put together his biggest game of the season. Watson recorded four receptions for 46 yards and two touchdowns. Romeo Doubs was the only other Packer who caught more than one pass, as he finished the game with 53 yards on four receptions.
In the running game, Jacobs finished with 40 yards on seven carries. Emanuel Wilson added another 40 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, while the Packers finished the game with 128 total rushing yards.
For the Giants, quarterback Jameis Winston completed 19-of-29 passes for 201 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.
That interception came late in the fourth quarter as the Giants were marching down the field looking for a touchdown to tie or win the game. Winston dropped back and threw a pass to the corner of the end zone. Winston’s receiver appeared to cut the route short, and Packers safety Evan Williams came away with an easy interception.
With wide receiver Darius Slayton out of this game for New York, Isaiah Hodgins led the Giants in receiving, catching five passes for 57 yards. Running back Tyrone Tracy added another 51 yards on four receptions, while tight end Theo Johnson recorded 36 yards on three receptions.
In the run game, Tracy paved the way for the Giants, totaling 88 yards on 19 carries. Devin Singletary added another 44 yards on 16 carries.
The Giants came out and scored on their first drive, the first time the Packers have given up a first-drive touchdown this year. Green Bay receivers recorded a number of drops, and kicker Lucas Havrisik missed two extra points, but Green Bay was still able to get back into the win column before its gauntlet of NFC North opponents over the next three weeks.
Sitting at 6-3-1, Green Bay currently sits at the six seed in the NFC playoff picture, with a matchup coming next week against the Minnesota Vikings.
