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.

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.

“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.