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Packers extend home opener win streak as Colts run defense reaches treacherous depths

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Packers extend home opener win streak as Colts run defense reaches treacherous depths


The Indianapolis Colts were steamrolled in Sunday’s 16-10 loss as Green Bay extended the NFL’s longest active home opener win streak and the second-longest streak in league history to 12 games.

Immaculate weather conditions at Lambeau Field are rare, even in mid-Sept. Packers starting quarterback Jordan Love was out with a sprained MCL. Backup QB Malik Willis – whom Green Bay acquired less than three weeks ago on Aug. 26 – was making his fourth career start.

It was Willis’ first start since Week 16 in ‘22 with the Tennessee Titans, but the dual-threat signal caller avoided making any mistakes in his home debut. Willis zipped his first career touchdown pass from 14-yards out to receiver Dontayvion Wicks. His longest completion of the game was his first deep pass downfield as receiver Romeo Doubs mossed Colts cornerback Jaylon Jones inside the red zone for a 39-yard gain.

Green Bay racked up 165 rushing yards on 20 carries in the opening frame, while Indianapolis scattered just three plays for positive yardage. Midway through the second quarter, Green Bay had outgained Indianapolis 248 total yards to 47. The Packers brutally punished the Colts with a lethal rushing attack that collected 261 yards on the ground on 53 carries, 4.9 yards per carry.

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The Colts struggled to set the edge and were unprepared in any sort of effort to contain Packers’ running back Josh Jacobs, the second veteran tailback to have a career day against Indianapolis this season. Jacobs finished with 151 rushing yards (third-most in his NFL career) on 32 carries (second-most in his NFL career), averaging 4.7 yards per carry.

On Indianapolis’ very first play inside Packers’ territory, second-year QB Anthony Richardson sailed his pass over the outstretched arms of receiver Alec Pierce. Packers’ safety Xavier McKinney sat back in centerfield to intercept the pass like a routine fly ball. Richardson’s second interception landed right into the chest of Packers’ linebacker Eric Wilson and his third pick on a Hail Mary heave ended the game. Richardson completed 17 of 34 passes for 201 passing yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.

In his 100th career game, Indianapolis’ team captain Zaire Franklin veritably had his back against the wall and heels in his own end zone as the Packers led 10-0 on the brink of extending the lead. Franklin met Jacobs in front of the goal line and punched the ball free to make perhaps the most impactful play of the game in regards to win expectancy. Colts first-round draft pick Laiatu Latu dove on the football to recover the fumble in the end zone and momentarily save the game. With his 23rd career game of 10-plus-tackles, Franklin tied former Super Bowl champion Gary Brackett for second-most such performances in franchise history.

Colts head coach Shane Steichen fed running back Jonathan Taylor on consecutive carries to ignite a much needed response midway through the third quarter. Taylor led the Colts with 103 rushing yards on 12 carries, 8.6 yards per carry. The former Wisconsin Badger accounted for (40%) of Indianapolis’ total net yards. It was Taylor’s 17th 100-yard-game, which is the third most games in franchise history. Taylor burst past defenders and kept fighting to gain extra yards with his best run of the game for 29-yards to drive inside Packers’ territory. Colts kicker Matt Gay delivered da 34-yard field goal to put the Colts on the scoreboard.

Indianapolis begins the 2024 regular season with a dreaded 0-2 record after perhaps the most disturbing performance during the Steichen era. The Colts pitiful effort featured punts on three of the first four drives, three interceptions, three fumbles and two turnovers on downs. Gay missed a 50-yard FG attempt wide left as the Colts failed to cash in an essential scoring opportunity early in the fourth quarter. Despite trailing for 55 minutes, the first win of the season was still there for the taking until time expired.

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“We just started out slow,” Richardson told reporters. “It’s frustrating when you have a decent week of practice. You execute a certain way in practice. You game plan a certain way and then you get to the game and some things are switched up and you adjust a little too late.”

Indianapolis is still searching for its identity as its offense has held possession for less than 40 minutes out of 120 minutes of football. The Colts have allowed a league-worst 474 rushing yards through two games and still have yet to solidify five starters in the secondary. To make matters excruciatingly worse, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner was carted off the field after he injured his right ankle late in the third quarter. There are 15 more guaranteed games this season, but concerns on all three phases are burgeoning on a weekly basis in Indy.



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Philip Rivers by the numbers: Age, passing yards, days between games, Hall of Fame, children, 44-year-old quarterbacks

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Philip Rivers by the numbers: Age, passing yards, days between games, Hall of Fame, children, 44-year-old quarterbacks


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Philip Rivers has joined the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad in the wake of injuries to Daniel Jones, Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson. Leonard (knee) is questionable for NFL Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks is uncertain, while Jones (Achilles) and Richardson (eye) are out. Brett Rypien is also on the practice squad.

Here are a dozen numbers related to the new Colts quarterback.

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Philip Rivers by the numbers

  • 63,440: Career passing yards for Philip Rivers, 7th most in NFL history. The Rams’ Matthew Stafford is 277 yards behind Rivers.
  • 2026: Year Philip Rivers is eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame (he is a semifinalist). If Rivers is signed to the active roster, that clock resets. Players must be 5 years removed from being active to be considered for the Hall.
  • 1,800: Days from Jan. 9, 2021 — the last time Philip Rivers played — and Sunday, Dec. 14, when the Colts visit the Seattle Seahawks.
  • 421: Career touchdown passes for Philip Rivers, 6th most in NFL history.
  • 44: Philip Rivers’ age; he’s older than Colts coach Shane Steichen (40).
  • 23: Age of Philip Rivers’ oldest daughter, Halle.
  • 23: Age of Colts quarterback Riley Leonard.
  • 17: Philip Rivers’ NFL seasons, from 2004-20.
  • 10: Number of children Philip Rivers has.
  • 4: 44-year-olds to start at QB in the NFL — Tom Brady, Vinny Testaverde, Warren Moon, Steve DeBerg.
  • 2: Weeks removed from coaching high school football for Philip Rivers.
  • 1: Number of grandchildren Philip Rivers has.

Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.



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Indianapolis City-County Council’s Vop Osili announces departure from council presidency

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Indianapolis City-County Council’s Vop Osili announces departure from council presidency


INDIANAPOLIS — The president of the Indianapolis City-County Council announced that he will not seek re-election after the end of his current term.

According to a news release, City-County Council President Vop Osili will continue to serve as the council president until the end of his term. After that, Osili shared his plans not to be considered for re-election to reprise the role. Instead, Osili will continue serving as a councilor.

Osili has served on the council since 2011 and as its president for the last eight years.

“Serving as Council President has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Osili said. “This
decision comes after deep reflection. Stepping back from the presidency allows me to focus
my energy where it’s most needed and continue serving our city with the same commitment
that has guided my work from the beginning.”

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Vop Osili (FOX59/CBS4)

Osili represents District 12, which covers parts of downtown Indy and the near west side, including IUPUI’s campus. In addition to his role as council president, Osili also serves as the chairman of the council’s Rules & Public Policy Committee and the Community Affairs Committee.

Osili said he would have more to share about his next steps soon.

“I will have more to share soon,” Osili said. “For now, my focus remains on the day-to-day work our neighbors count on us to do.”



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A first look: Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis expansion set to open Spring 2026

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A first look: Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis expansion set to open Spring 2026


INDIANAPOLIS — Big changes are coming to the near south side of Indianapolis in the new year.

The Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis (CAMi) expansion is set to open May 1, 2026.

WATCH FULL STORY BELOW

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Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis expansion set to open Spring 2026

The cultural campus, located in the Garfield Park and Bean Creek neighborhoods, consists of the CAMi main building, the Tube Gallery (formerly Tube Factory art space), and a public green space and art park.

“We’re looking at CAMi as art in a really broad sense. You get culinary arts, performing arts, you can a concert or a play. It’s also a space where you can have conferences,” Executive Director of Big Car Collaborative Jim Walker said.

This $7 million renovation transforms a 125-year-old former dairy barn and industrial space into a 40,000 square foot hub for art, performance, food, sound and creative enterprise.

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“When we came here in 2015, before we bought this property, half the houses were vacant. These two factories were vacant,” Walker said. “It went from this sort of forgotten, somewhat falling-down houses that were boarded up to this totally different place that’s really vibrant and definitely an anchor for the south side.”

The five-acre campus also includes 18 homes for long-term and visiting resident artists.

One of those artists, Rob Funkhouser, says Big Car has been fundamentally life-changing.

“When they started this affordable housing program, I was able to buy into a situation where, as long as I care to keep working, I know that my housing costs won’t go up,” Funkhouser said. “Being able to keep cost of living low and keep costs down allow artists to focus on their medium more often.”

Funkhouser says the CAMi expansion will further enrich the neighborhood he calls home.

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“This feels like we’re settling in and growing up a bit,” he said.

Garfield Park Neighbors Association President Rich Whitney agrees.

He’s excited for what the expansion will bring in 2026.

“The first ten years for GPNA has been about getting our footing, getting our neighbors involved, having events, connecting with the neighbors. This second phase is really gonna be about economic development, trying to pull people from Bean Creek and Garfield Park together,” Whitney said.

WRTV

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Nico Pennisi is the In Your Community reporter for Downtown Indy. He joined WRTV in October 2022. His passion has always been telling the stories of people who often get overlooked. Share your story ideas and important issues with Nico by emailing him at nico.pennisi@wrtv.com.





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