Three Overreactions From Packers’ Victory Over Titans

Without Jordan Love, the Green Bay Packers went from prime Super Bowl contenders to start the season to underdogs against the lowly Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans.

With the Packers’ 30-14 trouncing of the Titans on Sunday for back-to-backup upset wins, they are back to being viewed as Super Bowl contenders. In updated odds at DraftKings Sportsbook, the Packers are +1800 to win the Super Bowl, the ninth-shortest odds. That’s right about where they were before the Packers lost the game and their quarterback against the Eagles in Brazil.

So, the Pack is Back. As are the weekly Overreactions.

Malik Willis Saved the Season

Could Malik Willis save the season? That was a fair question after Love’s injury.

After all, since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, just 9.6 percent of teams that started 0-2 rebounded to make the playoffs. According to the NFL, since 1990, just four of the 162 teams that started 0-3 bounced back to qualify for the playoffs. That’s 2.5 percent, and the equivalent of one team every six years.

While it’s true that it’s not how you start but how you finish, it’s also true that none of those 0-3 teams got hot and reached the Super Bowl.

Enter Willis, who did enough to beat Indianapolis 16-10 at Lambeau Field last week and more than enough to beat Tennessee in Nashville.

No question the Packers were fortunate to be served up the Colts and Titans on a green-and-golden platter. But Willis was by far the best quarterback on the field for both games.

The Packers didn’t need Willis to win the games. More than anything, they needed him to not lose the game. With zero turnovers – and, really, no turnover-worthy plays – and some rather exceptional play on third down, Willis did what was needed and much, much more.

“I’d say he’s exceeded my expectations, not because of his skills or his talent, but just because he was thrown into a tough situation,” receiver Christian Watson said.