Cory’s Corner: Matt LaFleur Teaches Master Class

Everyone in Lambeau Field knew what the Packers were going to do. 

Yet, that didn’t stop the Little Engine That Could as the Packers beat the Colts 16-10 in the first game without Jordan Love this season. 

“I don’t think you guys can appreciate or even comprehend the task that Malik Willis (faced),” said Packers coach Matt LaFleur. “This guy got here three weeks ago.”

Willis was 12-for-14 with 122 yards with a quarterback rating of 126.8. He also tallied the first passing touchdown in his third season as a pro. 

This was a master class by LaFleur helping Willis cram for the final exam in the second game of the season but also by doing whatever it took to get a win. Whether that was running motion, running counters, little flare passes, etc. He knew that the Packers could not be 0-2 and have a legitimate shot at winning the NFC North. 

The Packers rolled up 261 yards on the ground. They absolutely steamrolled the Colts. And to be fair, what were the Colts thinking? Put eight guys close to the line of scrimmage and force Willis to beat you with his arm. I didn’t understand that at all. 

But in the NFL, a win is a win. It doesn’t matter how, just keep racking up the W’s. 

I really wanted to see if this team could grind out a win on the ground. And they just proved it. They can give it to their lead back 32 times and dominate time of possession by over 20 minutes. 

This win is going to come in handy when the weather gets nasty in December and January. When the ball turns into a rock, this team just proved that they can run the ball with ease. 

And they also infused a ton of confidence into a quarterback who was thrust into duty. The Packers traded for Willis on Aug. 27 and there were plenty of people that questioned that move — even though the Packers only gave up a seventh round pick for the former third rounder. 

Willis was in control of the offense and looked like he had been in Green Bay since minicamp. But it wasn’t just that he only had two incompletions, he gained the trust of his teammates. 

Now, moving forward, Willis should now have the confidence to operate in a play-action and deliver the ball. He knows what he’s working with on offense and he can approach the line of scrimmage with a devilish grin, knowing that he can deliver the ball to so many people and all of them have the capability to make explosive plays. 

But this game was about old fashioned football. This game was turned back about 60 years and the Packers just had their way with the Colts. This is a passing game now, but for one sunny afternoon, the Packers made everyone think that leather helmets were still en vogue.