Malik Willis has proved a lot of people wrong over the past two games, including his former team.
Even the most optimistic Green Bay Packers fans couldn't have expected Willis to play this well. He has completed 25 of 33 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 114 yards and a score in consecutive wins.
Willis achieved this despite only joining the team on August 26. He had less than three weeks to learn the playbook and get up to speed with Matt LaFleur's offense.
Nobody expected the offense to achieve these results without Jordan Love, but Packers fans had confidence in LaFleur's ability to build a game plan that could maximize Willis' strengths.
The former Tennessee Titans quarterback has silenced his doubters, and one former head coach was particularly critical of Willis. It's fair to say he was wrong.
Rex Ryan couldn't have got his Malik Willis any more wrong
Fans were understandably concerned about the Packers' chances of staying in the NFC North race if Love faced a multi-week absence. They had lost their season opener in Brazil and now potentially faced a significant portion of the season without their quarterback.
Former NFL head coach turned analyst Rex Ryan took it a step further, harshly criticizing Willis before the Packers' game against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2.
"Well, unfortunately, I've seen this Malik Willis play in the NFL, and no way in hell am I taking him," said Ryan on Sunday NFL Countdown. "I'm gonna take the Colts."
Well, unfortunately, Rex, we've seen Malik Willis play in the NFL, and he looked pretty good.
There's nothing wrong with having doubts about the Packers' ability to win without Love, especially with a quarterback who had only just joined the team. But Ryan didn't highlight any of that. His response was disrespectful and unnecessary, making it even more satisfying that Willis has made him eat those words.
Ryan had a 61-66 record as an NFL head coach. LaFleur is 58-28. One of them believed in Willis.
The Packers could get Love back for Sunday's huge showdown with the undefeated Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. Even if Willis doesn't play again this season, he has done his job. He helped save the Packers' season, made several big-time plays, and never even looked like turning the ball over. He produced two flawless performances, and Green Bay wouldn't be 2-1 without him.
It's about time Ryan gave him an apology.
