Derrick Henry, Ravens run all over the Packers | Video analysis
Pete Dougherty joins Dominique Yates for instant reaction to the Ravens’ 41-24 victory over the Packers at Lambeau Field.
Micah Parsons said it best while watching Malik Willis ball out before a national audience.
He’s “legit” in case anyone wasn’t familiar with the Green Bay Packers backup quarterback’s game.
And he was on fire.
The Green Bay Packers (9-6-1) lost to the Baltimore Ravens, 41-24, on Saturday night, Dec. 27, in a Week 17 game that ended their division title hopes and locked them into the seventh and final seed in the NFC playoffs.
But no one could put the blame on Willis, who was making his first start of the season and third in the last two years for an injured Jordan Love.
Willis has seen the field 11 times over the last two seasons in backup duty or when coming in mid-game when Love was hurt. On Saturday night this was the best of the 26-year-old.
He threw accurate deep balls, including on the Packers’ very first offensive play of the game, he showed his ability to slice up a defense with his arm and legs. He had a perfect passer rating in the first half and didn’t let setbacks or blunders like a turnover on downs or a lost fumble on a snap that hit him in the helmet on consecutive possessions in the second quarter bother him. It’s a shame that a nagging shoulder injury is what ultimately took him out in the fourth quarter.
Before that, Willis, who also battled the illness that was going through the locker room this week, was doing all he could to keep the Packers in a game they were playing from behind the entire time.
Ravens All-Pro running back Derrick Henry earned his king status in rushing for 216 yards on 36 carries and four touchdowns as he bullied a Packers defense that was humbled and embarrassed. The performance from Willis, meanwhile, should earn him a shot at a starting job somewhere in 2026.
After the game, the quarterback took to X to quote a Bible scripture while adding his own message:
“To God be the Glory in victory and defeat! Blessed to have this opportunity to glorify Him again! Gotta keep pushing.”
To God be the Glory in victory and defeat! Blessed to have this opportunity to glorify Him again! Gotta keep pushing 🙏🏾Matthew 6:33-34
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for…
— Malik Willis (@malikwillis) December 28, 2025Micah Parsons reacts to Malik Willis’ performance vs Ravens
Parsons, who is out for the season with a torn ACL, loved what he saw from Willis.
He gave him two fire emojis late in the first half. He deserved it. Willis completed all eight of his passes for 133 yards, one touchdown and a perfect 158.3 passer rating, plus four rushes for 21 yards and a late rushing TD to trim the Ravens lead to 20-14.
And then after Willis continued making plays and scoring another rushing TD in the second half, Parsons upped that to five fire emojis.
Packers fans reactions to Malik Willis
Packers fans agreed with Parsons. They applauded Willis and were disappointed that the defense wasted his effort.
Two people who made the most money this week:
Powerball winner
Malik Willis
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) December 28, 2025
Can’t be wasting a generation Malik Willis performance
— Ty Schmit (@tyschmit) December 28, 2025
Malik Willis got the full Packers quarterback experience by balling out just to have the defense completely let him down
— 𝐽𝐸𝑁 𝑀𝐴𝐶𝐾 🧀 (@BigMack_4) December 28, 2025
Malik Willis looks great. Another example of what going to a well coached environment and getting a chance to learn how to play the position at the NFL level can do for a young, talented player.
— Brian Hoyer (@bhoyer7) December 28, 2025
There aren’t 32 better QBs better than Malik Willis in the NFL.
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) December 28, 2025
Maliks Willis stats
Willis finished 18 of 21 passing for a career-high 288 yards and one touchdown. He posted a spectacular 134.6 rating.
He was also beating the Ravens with his legs and got out of some very difficult situations. He led the Packers with nine rushes for 60 yards and two read-option rushing TDs.
For his Packers career the last two years in 11 games, Willis has completed 70 of 89 passes (79.9%) for 972 yards, six passing touchdowns, zero interceptions for a 135.2 rating. He has 42 carries for 261 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.
Malik Willis highlights
Here are Malik Willis’ highlights and touchdowns against the Ravens. They all will likely be at the top of his audition tape as a free agent in the offseason: