PACKERS WEEK 2 WINNERS AND LOSERS VS. THE COLTS

The Green Bay Packers had their home opener today against the Indianapolis Colts, and as expected (or not?) starting QB Jordan Love was out as he continues to recover from his MCL sprain. In his place was Malik Willis, who has officially been with the team for 20 days after being traded to the Packers by the Tennessee Titans.

Opening the season 0-1 with an injured starting QB, after being considered an NFC-favorite by most, wasn’t the most ideal scenario for fans, and the thought of falling to 0-2 had some panicking. Fear not, folks, the Packers are now 1-1 after defeating the Colts 16-10. Who came up big today? Let’s get into it.

Winner: Matt LaFleur

The last time HC Matt LaFleur had to start a backup QB, he looked (and admitted to being) unprepared when Jordan Love played his first game against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021. This go-around? Much better. LaFleur called pretty much everything the way he should’ve, and the team looked much better (admittedly, it’s the Colts, so...you know) as they ran all over the Colts. There was no need for Malik Willis to try and be a superstar today, and LaFleur certainly didn’t try to force it. The Packers finished the game with 261 rushing yards, 237 of which came in the first half (third-most by any team ever.) Great game by the Packers HC, aside from the weird challenge before the end of the game.

Loser: Jeff Hafley

It took us two weeks to get here, but we made it! The Indianapolis Colts are not a good football team. Their quarterback is fresh, their receiving room is underwhelming, and their offense relies on one guy: RB Jonathan Taylor. This did not stop the Packers D from keeping the Colts in the game the entire time, despite Indianapolis practically BEGGING Green Bay to win with multiple drops and picks thrown right to Packers DBs. We knew Taylor would be the key for the Colts, and the Packers' defense still allowed him 12 carries for 103 yards (an 8.6 average!) This game should not have been close, and with an inexperienced player leading Green Bay’s offense, the defense needed to come up much bigger.

Winners: Xavier McKinney, Eric Wilson, and Evan Williams

At least some guys on the field weren’t dropping Anthony Richardson’s passes.

Loser: Quay Walker

This was a really bad game by the Packers' LB. He was beaten repeatedly and was a huge reason the Colts were competitive up until the very last play of the game. To add insult to injury, he had an opportunity to close things out when he let a pass go right through his hands, into the arms of Colts WR Alec Pierce. Walker has had a rough beginning to the 2024 season, and cannot continue to be a detriment to this defense if the team wants to make a deep playoff run.

Winner: Josh Jacobs

RB Josh Jacobs had a heavy workload today, which wasn’t much of a surprise to anyone aware of the Packers’ current situation at QB. Jacobs saw 32 carries for 151 yards (third-most in his career), and had a touchdown which was called back after a flag on Rasheed Walker. The offensive line did what they needed to do, and Jacobs took advantage of the holes they were creating to give the Packers one of the best rushing performances they’ve seen in some time.

Loser: Josh Jacobs

Joshua...the fumble into the endzone. This was another opportunity for a touchdown which would’ve kept the game just out of reach for the Colts, but the opposite happened. This was Jacobs’ second fumble as a Packer. Reminder: he’s played two games for the team.

Winner: Malik Willis

I’m going to keep it extremely real with you: I didn’t have high hopes for the Packers’ new backup QB. We haven’t seen much from him at the professional level, and what he’s done has been underwhelming. I’ve also seen Sean Clifford play football, and don’t need any more of that. I went into this game simply begging for the Packers to remain competitive enough on offense to make the game interesting, and Willis got the job done. He finished the game 12 of 14 for 122 yards (126.8 rating), and threw the first TD pass of his NFL career to WR Dontayvion Wicks. He also had 6 carries for 41 yards. An admirable debut after just 20 days with the team. Things could’ve been much, much worse!

Loser-watch: Brayden Narveson

After a stressful preseason in the kicking department, the Packers cut ties with every kicker on their roster in favor of Brayden Narveson, who was released by the Tennessee Titans after being signed as a UDFA this year. Narveson certainly has a leg, nailing a 59-yard FG in the preseason with Tennessee. To start the season with the Packers, however, he’s been hot and cold. Last week in Brazil, he made 3 of 4 FGs, as well as both XP attempts. In today’s home opener, he again made 3 of 4 FGs, and his lone XP attempt. A couple of those FGs were narrowly made. We’re not in emergency-mode just yet, but it could get there. Until then, I suppose we’ll all just hold our breath until the refs give the signal.

The Packers travel to Tennessee next Sunday for another early game, and we are officially on Love-watch! The Packers’ starting QB has been labeled “day to day” by HC Matt LaFleur, and could be under center as the team tries to start the season 2-1.

2024-09-15T21:59:33Z dg43tfdfdgfd