Up next on the schedule for the Indianapolis Colts is a matchup with the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, where both teams are looking to avoid going 0-2.
Only one game into the 2024 season, the stats that we see should be taken with a grain of salt, to a degree, simply given the small sample size. Whether good or bad, there are stats behind each team’s Week 1 performance that just won’t hold true over the course of the season.
But with that said, I did find a handful that I believe help somewhat paint the picture of this Packers team–or at the very least what the Colts are up against in Week 2.
7.1 yards per play
The Packers currently lead the NFL with 7.1 yards per play. Obviously, having Malik Willis under center instead of Jordan Love changes the complexion of the Packers’ offense, but what I believe this figure showcases is the playmaking abilities that are still around Willis. The question is whether or not he can capitalize on any opportunities that come his way.
In the backfield with Willis will be Josh Jacobs. At receiver, the Packers have five legitimate options that they consistently rely on, while at tight end, Green Bay also has a dynamic duo there as well. The Colts’ secondary is in store for a huge challenge.
3 Turnovers
The name of the game in football is winning the turnover battle. Under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, the Packers were able to generate three takeaways last week and missed out on two others via dropped interceptions. The Packers pass rush has the ability to be quite disruptive, while a new vision-based approach on the back end had these players in a consistent position to make plays on the ball.
5.3 Yards per carry
The Colts defense is coming off a game where they gave up 159 rushing yards to Joe Mixon. This week they face another test against Josh Jacobs, who rushed for 5.3 yards per attempt against a good Eagles’ front. With Willis likely at quarterback, we could see the Colts put more defenders near the line of scrimmage this week. Indianapolis is also going to need improved play from their run defense depth when Grover Stewart isn’t on the field.
67 Pass attempts
67 pass attempts–that is all Malik Willis in his two-plus NFL seasons. And he’s struggled with those opportunities, completing only 52 percent of those throws with three interceptions to no touchdowns. As alluded to, the Colts need to slow Jacobs and put Willis in obvious passing downs where the pass rush can pin its ears back. The defensive goal for the Colts needs to be putting the ball in Willis’ hands as much as possible.
3.8 Yards per carry allowed
Against Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts, the Packers were able to bottle the two up for much of the game. Barkely finished with 109 rushing yards at 4.5 yards per carry on 24 attempts, but for 23 of his rushes, he averaged only 3.2 yards per carry. With Hurts, the Packers pass rush approach was to keep him in the pocket, which again, they did for much of the game, holding him to just 33 yards on 13 carries.