Looking to bounce back in their home opener following a tough loss in Brazil last Friday, the Green Bay Packers host the Indianapolis Colts at Lambeau Field in week 2 of the NFL season. The Colts are coming off a tough 29-27 loss to the Houston Texans at home last week. We still don’t know who the Green Bay Packers will start at quarterback after Jordan Love’s injury. Kickoff is at noon CST on FOX. Here is a preview of Sunday’s game.
Will the Green Bay Packers Start Jordan Love?
The biggest story in this game is if Jordan Love will play. After suffering an MCL sprain last week, Love has not yet practiced this week, but has also not been ruled out for this game. This makes me think even if Love is not able to play Sunday that this long won’t keep him out long.
If Love can’t play, Matt LaFleur said the Green Bay Packers will start Malik Willis. Willis is in his third season out of Liberty. He has three career starts under this belt, all with the Tennessee Titans. Willis is still a a raw talent, but has all the tools to be a starting caliber quarterback in this league. The playbook will be limited as Willis has only been with the team for a few weeks.
Run the Ball, Run the Ball, Run the Ball
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
The Colts gave up 213 rushing yards to the Texans last week. In particular, Joe Mixon ran for 159 yards on 30 carries, C.J. Stroud only had 204 yards passing, but it was the running game that won the Texans that game.
The good news? After a slow start rushing the ball in Brazil, the Green Bay Packers needed up with 178 yards on only 21 carries, an average of almost eight yards. It was Emmanuel Wilson that got the run game going with runs of 14, 4, and 18. After that, Josh Jacobs was able to settle in and ran the ball much better in the second half.
Regardless who the quarterback is, I expect the Packers to run the ball a lot. Willis will only know a portion of the playbook. If it’s Love, I imagine Green Bay would be extremely cautious with him. I like their chances if they have a similar running game this week.
Prediction
Before the injury to Jordan Love, this seemed like a game the Green Bay Packers would win comfortably. That is not the case anymore. Do I think Green Bay can win this game with Malik Willis? I do,
However, the defense will have their hands full with Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor. Richardson has the best arm of any quarterback in the NFL and he is a threat with his arms and legs. If he is able to settle in early, it will be long game. He is also prone to turnovers as well. If the Green Bay Packers defense can rattle Richardson early, I think it sets up well.
Taylor, the former great Wisconsin running back, is a threat anytime he touches the ball. He is one of the best backs in the league and is still relatively fresh.
In a way, this is a similar approach to the Eagles. Both teams with a dual threat quarterback and very good running backs. I think the difference is the quarterback. If Green Bay holds Richardson the way they did Hurts, I can’t see them losing a second game in a row. Taylor presents problems, but I think the defense can make key plays down the stretch.
Give me the Packers in a close home win and improve to 1-1 on the season.
Green Bay 24 Indianapolis 20
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