Playing without Jordan Love due to an MCL sprain, the Green Bay Packers were able to beat the Indianapolis Colts 16-10 with backup quarterback Malik Willis. In large part, the Packers ran the ball for 261 yards compared to only 14 pass attempts. Green Bay moves to 1-1 on the season while the Colts fall to 0-2. Here are three takeaways from yesterday’s win.
The Green Bay Packers Lived and Died by the Running Game
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You knew with Jordan Love not being available for this game that the running game was going to be important. The Houston Texan ran all over this Colts defense last week. The Green Bay Packers were able to do that right away.
Josh Jacobs was the bell cow yesterday as he ran the ball 32 times for 151 yards, most of that coming in the first half. However, he did fumble the ball in the end zone that took away seven points that would have made the score 17-0. It was an early chance to put this game away.
Green Bay is not use to a running back taking that many carries in a game since probably Eddie Lacy. It has been a two running back system for a number of years now. Jacobs, while only 26 still, showed that he can put a team on his back especially in an unusual hot September home game. He was great yesterday,
Malik Willis did What was Asked of Him
Willis has only been with the Green Bay Packers for three weeks. There is no way he knew the entire playbook coming into this game. In a way, that can be challenging both for him and the coaching staff. Credit to Matt LaFleur for coming up a plan that was limited but still effective.
Willis only had to take one deep shot in the game and he connected to Romeo Doubs. It was all Green Bay needed and it felt like it ended up being the dagger. At the end of the day, Willis was 12-14 for 122 yards and one touchdown, but did not turn the ball over and added 41 yards on six carries.
The Green Bay Packers Defense was Phenomenal
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This was a game the Green Bay Packers defense had to step up and did they ever. The intercepted Anthony Richardson three times and never let him get in a rhythm. They also did a great job keeping him in the pocket. They did let Jonathan Taylor run for 103 yards on only 12 carries, but Taylor is one of the better backs in the NFL.
This was a good bounce back for a defense that struggled against Philadelphia last week, who also has a dual threat quarterback and solid running back. There is a lot of talent on the Packers defense and I’m glad they were the ones that took this game over and let the offense get into a routine. Will Levis, the next quarterback they face this week, will likely give them some turnover as well.
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