Tramon Williams hasn’t played in a meaningful January game since the final leg of his first stint with the Green Bay Packers.
But at 9-3, the team’s elder statesman in the secondary could finally be back in the playoffs — and that’s thanks in part to his performance in his 13th NFL season.
Williams has accounted for two interceptions in his last three games, most recently against New York Giants rookie quarterback Daniel Jones. But with Washington’s Dwayne Haskins on the slate for this week, Williams could build upon his recent success in terrorizing rookie quarterbacks.
It starts with not overlooking an inexperienced signal caller and a 3-9 team who has won two of its last three games.
“The first thing I look at when I see a young guy, I look at his physical traits,” Williams said after Wednesday’s practice. “Always look at their physical tools first and see what they’re capable of doing. He has a big arm; physically, he’s gifted. He can play — he’s gotten better over these last couple of weeks.”
Haskins was gifted with the starting job after Case Keenum’s struggles, and since his first start at the beginning of November, he has just one game in which he’s completed over 55 percent of his passes. In his last two games — wins for the Redskins — he didn’t throw a single touchdown. He has three times as many interceptions (6) on the season as he does touchdowns.
The Redskins spent a first-round pick on Haskins back in April, so if anything, it’s apparent the level of commitment they have in the former Ohio State standout. It’s something that Willams feels the Packers’ secondary can take advantage of, but like the opponent for this Sunday’s commitment in their juvenile passer, the level of preparation from the other sideline can’t falter.
It’s something the other sideline can’t afford with four games remaining on the schedule and a potential first-round bye still well within their grasp.
“He’s going to be a challenge for us. We don’t look at him any differently than any other quarterback,” Williams said. “We’re going to prepare for him like we’re playing Tom Brady or whoever it is; that’s just the way the league works. You have to continue to prepare for every guy the same, even if you know they’re not the same.”
Williams compared the Packers’ preparation for Haskins to that of their plan for Jones last week. The ability, regardless of the player or their tendencies, is what makes them a tall task to slow down.
Tramon Williams secures his second interception of the season against the New York Giants. (Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
At 36 years old, Williams has enjoyed something of a renaissance in his second season since returning to Green Bay. General manager Brian Gutekunst inked Williams to a two-year, $10 million dollar deal last offseason and he has since been a versatile, dependable option on the back end of the Packers’ defense.
Even after the Packers flipped former first-round safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to the Redskins at last year’s trade deadline, Williams showed off his multi-positional skill set by stepping in and fortifying the void left behind at free safety. Now after some stellar play through 12 games this season, the Packers may very well need to consider keeping Williams in the fold with a new deal if his desire to continue playing doesn’t wane.
While playing in the slot more than any other spot on the field, Williams has been targeted 37 times this season and has surrendered just a 62.2 completion percentage, according to Pro Football Focus. Of defenders on the team with more than 30 targets into their coverage, only Jaire Alexander has a lower number (55.7).
Williams has also allowed an 88.3 passer rating on 23 completions into his coverage. Using the same aforementioned metric of at least 30 targets, only Adrian Amos (84.4) is lower.
If defensive coordinator Mike Pettine reverts back to applying the same, consistent pressure he showcased against quarterbacks earlier this year, the Packers’ penultimate home game of the regular season could come down to whoever is more willing to make a play in the secondary and capitalize on their foe’s misfortunes.
“The record may not show it, but they’re a tough team when you look at them on film.”