With Jordan Love missing the home opener, it was Josh Jacobs and the running game that led Green Bay to a 16-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2.
The Packers totaled 261 yards on 53 attempts on the ground, which totals the most rushing yards in a game by the Packers since 2003. Jacobs finished the game with 151 yards on 32 carries. The second leading rusher in the game for the Packers was Malik Willis, who filled in for the injured Love, totaling 41 rushing yards on six carries.
The rushing game was featured so heavily in this game partly due to Love’s absence, as he continues to deal with a knee injury. That led the way for Willis to slide into the starting position, who found himself in Green Bay no less than 20 days ago.
Willis’ debut proved to be a success as the Liberty University alum completed 12-of-14 passes for 122 yards and one touchdown, while adding those 41 rushing yards. Willis’ first-quarter touchdown pass to Dontayvion Wicks marked the first passing touchdown of his career.
With Willis under center, it seemed likely Green Bay would have to rely on the run to help integrate the new quarterback into the offense. Even though it was fairly obvious that Green Bay wanted to run early and run often, head coach Matt LaFleur said using a variety of schemes helped to be successful in that aspect.
“We had a variety of schemes up, and I think that you have to give credit to (offensive coordinator) Adam Stenavich and all of our coaches that came up with that run plan,” said LaFleur. “Just the diversity within our run game and then the ability to put guys in certain positions.”
LaFleur added that even though the offensive line had a rough week at practice, he knew that that unit was going to will the Packers to victory.
“We had a shaky day of practice, and I went in there and told them that we are going to win the game through those guys,” said LaFleur. “I thought they stepped up.”
While Green Bay found success on offense, it might have been its defense that won this game. The Packers held Indianapolis’ high-powered rushing attack to 140 yards on 18 carries.
Adding to that, Green Bay also forced Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson into three interceptions, including the game sealing interception on Richardson’s Hail Mary attempt to end the game. In total, Richardson finished the game with 204 passing yards and one passing touchdown.
The three interceptions in this game marks six turnovers for the Packers through its first two games, including five interceptions.
“The fact that (the defense) have been able to go out and execute and get our hands on the ball with these turnovers has been great,” said Packers defensive back Xavier McKinney, who has recorded an interception in each of the first two games.
With a new quarterback under center for Green Bay, setting the tone on defense was always going to be the key to victory over the Colts. Even though Willis was starting, McKinney said that keeping the same energy that the defense had with Love is the key to stay consistent all season long.
“It is always important (to set the tone), no matter who is out there – no matter who is starting,” said McKinney. “We hold ourselves to a certain standard, and we want to make sure that we hold up to that standard every time that we are out there on the field, so we try to go out there and play our best ball every time.”
While the defense excelled against Richardson’s passing, keeping his rushing in check may have been just as important. In his limited time in the NFL, Richardson has been noted for his strong rushing ability, proven by his five rushing touchdowns in six career starts.
“That is two weeks in a row where we are playing athletic quarterbacks. I know that our guys up front want to get those sacks, but I can’t tell you how proud I am of the discipline up front with our rush,” said LaFleur. “There were a couple of plays that he got out late, but I thought for the most part that we did a really good job up front being disciplined, collapsing the pocket in front of him and forcing him to make some bad decisions.”
As long as Willis is starting in place of Love, that defense will continue to need to play at a high level to continue to help the quarterback develop in the offense. In the upcoming matchup with the Tennessee Titans, Willis gets a chance to take on his old team, while the defense gets a chance to continue to thrive against a below average offense.
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