The Green Bay Packers won their 12 consecutive home opener and successfully avoided an 0-2 start with a 16-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
Without Jordan Love under center, the Packers got a dominant performance from the run game, a handful of important big plays from Malik Willis and a standout effort from Jeff Hafley’s defense in what must be seen as an excellent example of complementary football.
Style points don’t exist. In the end, the Packers accomplished what was needed: winning a game with a backup quarterback.
Here’s what went right, what went wrong and what it means for the Packers moving forward:
What went right
— The Packers ran the football down the Colts’ throat, especially in the first half. Green Bay produced 164 rushing yards in the first quarter, 237 in the first half and 261 total. The Colts eventually adjusted, but for 30 minutes to start the game, the Packers dominated up front. Credit to the offensive line and run scheme — the Colts knew the run was coming early but couldn’t stop it.
— The defense produced three more takeaways. That’s six in two games. For the second straight week, Xavier McKinney had a pick early. The final takeaway — Evan Williams’ interception on the Hail Mary — ended the game. The Packers were +2 in the turnover category for the second straight week and are +4 to start the season.
— Josh Jacobs battled, turning 32 carries into 151 yards. He ran into a lot of heavy boxes but consistently found the right hole and gained yards after contact. His burst looks excellent to start the 2024 season.
— Linebacker Eric Wilson made two huge plays in the second half. On the first, he diagnosed an option play and made the stop on third down, forcing a field goal attempt from 50 yards that missed. One drive later, he picked off Anthony Richardson with the Colts driving.
— Malik Willis completed 86 percent of his passes, didn’t have a turnover, didn’t take a sack and converted four third downs via completions, including a dart to Dontayvion Wicks for a 14-yard touchdown and a 39-yarder to Romeo Doubs in the second half. He also rushed for 41 yards.
— The Packers had four players produce a run of at least 10 yards: Josh Jacobs (34 yards), Jayden Reed (22), Malik Willis (19) and Bo Melton (16). Six different players carried the ball. The Packers rushed 53 times and held the ball for over 40 minutes, dominating possession.
— Devonte Wyatt had a run stop and a sack, creating two tackles for loss, plus two quarterback hits. He was a game-wrecker at times.
— Punter Daniel Whelan pinned the Colts at the 8-yard line in the second quarter, unleashed a 59-yard bomb to flip the field in the third quarter and then pinned the Colts at the 5-yard line to start the final drive.
— The Packers dominated situationally, converting 10 of 17 chances on third down. They had to play it safe on a few third-and-longs, but the offense generally stayed on schedule. Defensively, the Packers allowed only three conversion on third or fourth down.
— Rookie Evan Williams confidently recovered the onside kick with under two minutes to go.
What went wrong
— The Packers didn’t score a single point off three takeaways, even though 10 were readily available. Josh Jacobs fumbled at the goal line after Xavier McKinney’s pick, and Brayden Narveson missed a field goal after Eric Wilson’s pick. The Packers now have nine points scored on six takeaways in 2024.
— Narveson missed another field goal. He made his first three in Brazil but then missed a 43-yarder. He once again made his first three kicks on Sunday but then missed a 45-yarder in the second half. The lost points didn’t hurt the Packers on Sunday but kept the game interesting late.
— Jonathan Taylor gashed the Packers a few times, particularly in the second half as the Colts offense finally got going. He finished with 103 rushing yards on 12 carries, so the Packers have allowed 100-yard rushers in back-to-back weeks.
— The Packers hit a rough stretch in the third quarter. The run game produced -7 yards in the third, while the Colts started hitting a few big plays. Credit the Packers, who limited the damage overall. What could have been a game-changing quarter ended up in a 3-3 tie.
— The Packers defense had a chance to slam the door shut late, especially on a 4th-and-11 play inside the red zone. Anthony Richardson escaped and picked up the first down, and he hit Alec Pierce for the Colts’ only touchdown a play later.
— Rookie MarShawn Lloyd left with another lower-body injury, his third since the start of training camp. First-round pick Jordan Morgan exited with a shoulder injury.
What it means
The Packers avoided the 0-2 start and stole a game with a backup quarterback. Who knows how long Jordan Love will be out, but the Packers will feel good knowing what they accomplished in terms of complementary football with Malik Willis at quarterback on Sunday. If Love needs more time, the offense can grow and expand as Willis gets more comfortable. If Love is back soon, even a single win with a backup quarterback could be huge down the stretch. On a hot, sunny day at Lambeau Field, the Packers reinvented themselves with Willis under center and beat an uncommon opponent.
What’s next
After a week home, the Packers go back on the road next week. The Week 3 trip is to Nashville, where the Packers will take on the 0-2 Titans. Tennnesse blew a win in Chicago in the opener and then couldn’t get past Aaron Rodgers and the Jets on Sunday. Both Malik Willis and Brayden Narveson, who were with the Titans this summer, will be returning to Tennessee. We’ll see if Jordan Love will be back in time for Sunday’s trip.