Recently-acquired players shine in Packers win over Jaguars

GREEN BAY – For the second consecutive week, Brandon McManus kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired to lift the Green Bay Packers to a victory.

During the Oct. 27 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Packers relied heavily on acquired players — not drafted — to earn the win. 

A 24-yard field goal in the remaining minute by McManus, gave the Packers a 30-27 win improving them to 6-2 overall.

McManus  signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2013 and played with the New York Giants (2014), Denver Broncos (2014-22), Jacksonville Jaguars (2023) and Washington Commanders (2024).

He led the NFL with 28 field goals of 50-plus yards during the last four seasons — 2020-23.

He has played in just two games with the Packers.

Quarterback Jordan Love went out with a groin injury in the third quarter on Oct. 27, bringing in backup Malik Willis to help secure a tying game before the winning kick.

Willis completed 4 of 5 passes — including a 51-yard pass to Jayden Reed to get in reach of the winning kick —and one touchdown.

“I can’t say enough great things about Malik Willis, the job that he’s able to do, to go in there. The moment’s never too big for him. He made a lot of big-time plays in this game. Not only with his arm, but he had a big pickup with his legs,” Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur said after the win.

“It’s always hard when you turn to your backup quarterback because all of their reps are in practice running the scout team, so he didn’t get any reps with the plan… there is nothing like going out there and doing the real thing. I thought he played as well as we could ever expect him to. He did a really nice job.”

Willis was traded to the Packers during this year’s preseason.

Running Back Josh Jacobs, the NFL’s 2022 leading rusher, had 25 carries for 127 yards with two touchdowns against the Jaguars.

In the win, Jacobs recorded his 13th career two-touchdown game — his most recent coming against the Giants in November of 2023.

LaFleur said that he is impressed with Jacobs’ “physicality that he runs with.” 

“He looked a little gimpy at the end of the game and he still wanted to stay in, but I just thought it was best to get him out and get him checked out. But, he is a pro’s pro. I can’t say enough great things about him. We are lucky to have a guy like that — the way he comes in and communicates and works and demands it of himself, demands it of others as well,” LaFleur added.

“I love to see him go out there and do his thing. He’s a great running back; he is doing a great job for us. I’m glad he got his first receiving touchdown last week,” Malik said after the game.

Jacobs was a free agent acquisition from the Las Vegas Raiders during the off-season.