Well, who saw that coming? Certainly not me. A creative, diverse run scheme and solid blocking to make it go? A veteran, mistake-free performance from Malik Willis, who was roasted mercilessly by the pundits all week? An embarrassing showing by a Colts team that has plenty of talent and an excellent head coach? It all added up to the Packers holding on — in spite of themselves late in the game — for a season-saving 16-10 win in their home opener.
Yes, season-saving. Had this game, and Willis’ performance in particular, gone as the football world expected, it would have been an 0-2 start from which recovery would have been nearly impossible. Now, the Packers shouldn’t feel any need to rush Jordan Love back into action. Next week’s matchup in Tennessee sets up well for Green Bay, and as a nice revenge game for ex-Titan Willis.
Most emphatically, it’s well past time Matt LaFleur is at the center of discussions for coach of the year. It’s a long season, sure, but this game, more than all his gaudy stats since he came to Green Bay five years ago, should place him atop any legitimate list for an award he should have won at least once already.
GAME BALLS
Malik Willis — Michael Lombardi, longtime NFL executive and talking head, proclaimed on a podcast this past week that Willis is not an NFL caliber quarterback and excoriated the Packers’ front office for acquiring him. Well Mikey, how about you go sit on a beach somewhere with a fruity drink and play with the little umbrella for the rest of your life. Willis has a ton of raw talent, and the trade was made because his ceiling is so much higher than that of Sean Clifford or Michael Pratt.
What no one could have expected was his game-ready, sparkling play under an intense microscope in a crucial spot for his team. Particularly impressive was that he was nearly always in the right place, doing the right thing, amidst an intricate, motion-heavy scheme of varied run looks and gap attacks. Despite limited game experience with the Titans and just three weeks to learn a brand-new offense, Willis’ revealed a high football IQ, with work-ethic and preparation to match. He calmly turned the correct way on a myriad of misdirection handoffs, understood where his receivers were supposed to be and left the pocket to pursue opportunity, not out of fear or confusion. His one deep ball was a tad short, but Romeo Doubs made a special catch to rescue it for a big gain. Willis’ short passes were accurate, and he finished with an impressive 12 for 14 for 122 yards and a touchdown, averaging 8.7 yards per throw. 🏈 🏈 🏈 🏈 🏈
Josh Jacobs — The comparisons with Aaron Jones will no doubt persist, but one area where Jacobs wins hands down is workload. Jacobs carried the ball 32 times for 151 yards, totals reminiscent of his 2022 season in Las Vegas, when he led the NFL with 1,653 rushing yards. Before the Colts run defense finally stiffened in the second half, Jacobs was in sync with the blocking scheme, was quick to the holes and extended gains after contact. His day was marred by an inexcusable, momentum-shifting fumble near the goal line late in the first half that would have given the Packers a 17-0 lead, on their way to a possible rout. Jacobs has struggled with fumbles throughout his career and he must do better. 🏈🏈🏈 🏈
Devonte Wyatt — Wyatt was an ongoing disruptive force on a D line that stymied the Colts until late in the first half and then sagged in the third quarter under tough pounding by Jonathan Taylor. Wyatt ended the day with one sack, two quarterback hits and two tackles for loss. It’s the kind of internal pressure DC Jeff Hafley’s scheme prioritizes, and Wyatt is clearly more comfortable than he was in Joe Barry’s operation. 🏈🏈 🏈 🏈
The offensive line — They did the job in both run blocking and pass protection. That all we ask. 🏈🏈🏈
UNSUNG HERO
Eric Wilson — Maybe the Packers have found, deep on their depth chart, a better-than-average coverage linebacker in Wilson, who made a key interception of an Anthony Richardson pass over the middle to Michael Pittman in the fourth quarter to end a Colts drive at the Green Bay 25. On the previous Colts’ drive, Wilson stopped an option play on third down and forced an Indianapolis field goal attempt that was missed from midfield.
LAME CALLS
Penalties — Again. For the second game in a row, the Packers got in their own way numerous times with offensive infractions that halted progress. It wasn’t as bad as last week in Brazil, but six penalties for 50 yards helped keep the game from being an early blowout.
Run defense — After some initial success, the Colts, and especially Taylor, torched the Packers for 140 yards on only 18 carries, nearly 8 yards per tote. Mysteriously, Taylor did not play in the fourth quarter, for no apparent injury reason and no explanation was given Sunday night. Perhaps something was amiss on the sideline, for which LaFleur should send Colts head coach Shane Steichen a thank-you card. Hafley’s troops are clearly still adjusting to his scheme, and the rookies are inconsistent. Quay Walker once again had decent moments but then dropped a late interception that would have iced the game. Edgerrin Cooper was still on an apparent snap count. Hafley’s crew has forced six turnovers in two games — a positive sign to be sure — but a team with a more competent offense on Sunday would have made this a much different game. I also remain baffled why, after all the off-season talk of being more aggressive, Hafley is so reluctant to occasionally bring the house. Well-timed corner or safety blitzes have been largely absent.
Brayden Narveson — The new kicker is now three for four on field goals two weeks running, with misses in each week under 50 yards. That’s not an acceptable percentage, and against the Colts the missed kick would have finished them off. The search for a reliable kicker might not be over.
FINAL WHISTLES
The scheme was the story against the Colts, and it was joyous. LaFleur dialed up the best version of his offense while simultaneously protecting Willis from dangerous situations. It’s the kind of offense — albeit without the flashy passing game — that ought to be in play all the time. Imagine the power of it when Love returns and the added dimension of the passing game is layered in.
That said, the reality is the Colts gift wrapped a weak, error-filled performance for Green Bay. Through another lens, it would be easy to make the case that the Colts beat themselves. The Packers only scored 16 points, which won’t often get it done under normal circumstances.
Still, it was a day worth celebrating, although Jordan Morgan MarShawn Lloyd sustained injuries of unknown severity. But with this version of Malik Willis, the future is once again bright. GPG.
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Jonathan Krim grew up in New York but got hooked on the Packers — and on hating the Cowboys — watching the Ice Bowl as a young child. He blames bouts of unhappiness in his late teens on Dan Devine. A journalist for several decades who now lives in California, he enjoys trafficking in obscure cultural references, lame dad jokes and occasionally preposterous takes. Jonathan is a Packers shareholder, and insists on kraut with his brats. You can follow Jonathan on twitter at @Jkrim.
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