The Green Bay Packers will welcome the Indianapolis Colts to Lambeau Field for the home opener on Sunday afternoon. The matchup will be just the fourth between the Packers and Colts in Green Bay since 2000.
Like the Packers, the Colts are 0-1 entering Week 2 after losing to a contender in the season opener. While quarterback Anthony Richardson created a few highlight plays, Shane Steichen’s team lost 29-27 at home to the Houston Texans in Week 1.
What should Packers fans know about the Colts?
To help preview Packers-Colts in Week 2, we asked five questions of Colts Wire managing editor Paul Bretl:
1. What big things should Packers fans know about Colts QB Anthony Richardson?
Bretl: The rare combination of size, athleticism, and arm talent allows Richardson to do it all and gives him a sky-high ceiling. If the Packers aren’t disciplined with their rushing lanes, Richardson will hurt them with his legs. If there’s an opportunity downfield, Richardson will capitalize on the defensive miscue. If the pocket is collapsing, he still has the arm strength to get the ball anywhere on the field. Now, with that said, he’s only played in five regular season games, so there are still ups and downs that come with Richardson and the offense. Last week, in addition to the big throws, he missed some layups as well. We saw the big play abilities he possesses in Week 1, but the consistency to sustain longer drives is what needs to come next.
2. The Packers just played a great Eagles offensive line. How good are the Colts up front on offense?
Bretl: This is a Colts’ offensive line unit that ranked top 10 in yards per rush and pressure rate allowed in 2023 and they’re returning all five of those starters for the 2024 season. They did really well at giving Richardson time last week. Jonathan Taylor would average just 3.0 yards per attempt, but my guess is that will end up being an outlier performance this season. That combination of Taylor and Richardson in the backfield has the potential to be a real horizontal stressor for opponents–helping to open up running lanes and opportunities in the pass game off RPOs. The Colts offensive line will be another good test for the Packers’ defensive front.
3. The Colts gave up over 200 rushing yards in the opener. What went wrong?
Bretl: Two things here. One, defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said earlier in the week that the Colts went light in the box to help out their secondary against a dynamic trio of Texans receivers. Second, there is a night and day difference in this run defense unit when Grover Stewart is on the field versus off. According to Next Gen Stats, with Stewart on the field, the Colts gave up 4.0 yards per rush. Without him, that figure jumped to 7.8 yards per carry. The run defense depth was also an issue last season.
4. Who are some underrated players on the Colts roster?
Bretl: I think this is a pretty well-rounded receiver room that the Colts have. I’m sure everyone knows Michael Pittman, but last week, we saw the vertical presence Alec Pierce brings to the offense on display. Rookie AD Mitchell has the ability to impact all levels of the field with his explosiveness and route running. Meanwhile, Josh Downs–and we don’t know if we will play yet as he’s dealing with an ankle injury–had one of the more productive 2023 seasons among slot receivers, totaling 771 yards. One other name I’ll mention is rookie defensive end Laiatu Latu. Latu was the first defensive player taken off the board in April and has looked the part since arriving in Indianapolis.
5. With a backup QB likely to start, what must the Packers do to beat the Colts?
Bretl: For the Packers, this all starts with Josh Jacobs. If he can find success in the run game, it will make things so much easier for Malik Willis by putting him in manageable down and distances. This then opens up the playbook for LaFleur and passing game opportunities against a Colts’ secondary that is filled with question marks. On the flip side, if Jacobs is unable to find regular success, that puts Willis in predictable passing situations where the Colts’ pass rush–the strength of this unit–can pin its ears back.