All around, that was not a great performance from the Indianapolis Colts, who are now 0-2 following a loss to the Green Bay Packers.
If you’re up for it, let’s take a look at our instant takeaways from their performance with the game having just ended.
– So it looks like the Colts run defense has gone from an issue to a massive problem. The Packers ran wild over the Indianapolis defense, and when that is happening, winning becomes a nearly impossible task.
– Perhaps the worst part of the Colts inability to stop the run is that with Malik Willis at quarterback, you knew this was coming. The ultimate goal was to put the game in Willis’ hands and not Jacobs–a task that is admittedly easier said than done.
– The Packers utilized a fair amount of 11 personnel to spread the Colts out, just as the Texans did, and threw a lot at them, utilizing all three running backs, their receivers, and Willis in the run game.
– The Packers success on the ground resulted in them dominating the time of possession, limiting the number of opportunities for the Colts offense in the process, along with wearing down the Colts defense.
– Jonathan Taylor was able to find success in the run game, but there wasn’t a consistent passing game to pair with it and–again–the Colts offense just didn’t have a lot of opportunities.
– Anthony Richardson and the passing game couldn’t find a rhythm overall. The Packers were able to take away the downfield throws and dropped passes were a problem. If the Colts are going to struggle against the run that much each week, that is putting a lot on the plate of Richardson who is still going through his own learning curve.
– Yes, overall it was tough sledding through the air, but Richardson, particularly in that fourth quarter showed his ability again to will this team down the field–even getting the ball back late with the chance to win. But it wasn’t enough to overcome the other errors on both sides of the ball.
– The offense did find a bit of rhythm here and there in the second half, sparked by Taylor’s play on the ground, along with the offense going up-tempo.
– That forced fumble by Zaire Franklin near the goal line was a big play. As early as that was in the game, the Packers were on the verge of going up 17-0 at that point, and things were already feeling out of reach. But instead, it remained 10-0 and the Colts were in it up until the end.
– Without Julian Blackmon, the Colts moved Nick Cross to strong safety and started Rodney Thomas deep. Sam Womack got the start opposite of JuJu Brents opposite of Jaylon Jones but Dallis Flowers was worked in with him and Womack essentially splitting the defensive snaps.
– DeForest Buckner would exit the game with an ankle injury and Laiatu Latu with a hip injury.
– I guess if you want something positive, the offensive line performed well in pass protection, along with Taylor finding some room in the run game.
– Matt Gay missed a 50 yard field goal. 50-plus yarders were an issue in 2023 and during the preseason, he was just 1-for-4 on field goals overall.
