Final Score: Packers 16 Colts 10
What Happened?
Despite the massive blow of losing their starting quarterback Jordan Love, the Packers managed to grab a gritty win this week over the Colts. With Malik Willis at QB, the offense was forced to operate in a unique fashion. Green Bay head coach Matt LeFleur concocted a magnificent gameplan that enabled his healthy players to get a win.
This game was an anomaly due to the Packers rushing the ball a whopping 53 times. The next closest teams in Week 2 had 44 rushes (the Jim Harbaugh-led Chargers), and 40 rushes (the Cardinals, who were winning by 3+ touchdowns for nearly the entire game). Most teams around fell in between 20-30 total rush attempts. LeFleur’s gamble paid out, as the Packers ended up with 261 rushing yards on the week and a win to add to the column.
It wasn’t only starting running back Josh Jacobs who contributed, although he’ll be discussed shortly. In addition to the veteran running back, Malik Willis added 41 yards on 6 rush attempts (6.8 yards per carry) and wide receiver Jayden Reed tacked on another 37 yards on 2 carries (18.5 yards per attempt). The Packers absolutely bludgeoned the Colts front-seven on the ground.
As for the other side of the ball, Colts QB Anthony Richardson and the Indy offense could never string anything together. They kicked off the game with 3 straight 3-and-outs, setting the tone for the afternoon. Indianapolis only had 3 points on the board until a garbage-time touchdown (their only of the day) with 1:47 left in the 4th quarter.
Richardson threw 3 interceptions and just 1 touchdown. The Colts’ best receiver, Michael Pittman Jr, only reeled in 3 catches for 21 yards. The only bright spot on the offense was RB Jonathan Taylor, who had an extremely efficient day (103 rushing yards on just 12 carries). Since the Colts were losing for the duration of the game, the Packers were willing to give up rushing yards in place of potentially long, explosive pass plays.
Player of the Game
Josh Jacobs
Packers RB Josh Jacobs was absolutely the star of this game. He racked up 151 rushing yards on 32 carries, slotting him in at 1st in Week 2 rushing yards. The Packers won because of the way that they ran the ball and Jacobs was at the forefront. The high amount of career carries hasn’t caught up to Jacobs yet as he continues to put up monster statlines.
What Does It Mean?
From this game, I can conclude that Green Bay can win any game, any week. Even down Jordan Love, Matt LeFleur was able to come up with a unique gameplan tailored to the strengths of him team. With a coach like him, the Packers have a chance on any given Sunday.
As for Indy, Week 2 was a step in the wrong direction. Currently, most pressing issue is the inability to contain opposing rushing attacks. The Colts defense has allowed the most rushing yards in the NFL through 2 weeks, and it’s not even close (474 yards; 2nd place is 399 yards). The lack of production out of WR Michael Pittman is also concerning. I expected him to build off of a very nice 2023 season, but he and Richardson haven’t been on the same page. This was only one week, but I am getting a little worried about the Colts’ 2024 outlook.