And we’re back with Packers positives for week 2. Usually when the Packers win and all of Packers twitter is overwhelmingly positive, we go think about doing a Packers negatives article but today was a fun enough and close enough win that we’ll stick to positives.
• The run game looked as good as it ever has in the first half against a defense that had to know it was coming. Sure the second half didn’t go as well, but teams make adjustment – their coaches get paid too. The first half was amazing. 250 plus yards. Five different players had big carries. This is the type of run attack we longed for for years of McCarthy ineptitude.
o Part of this positive has to be that Josh Jacobs had 30 carries for 150 yards like it was just another day at the office. There was speculation all offseason that Jacobs could be washed up after a meh year last year and, I’ll admit, I was buying into it last week, at least at the start, when he hardly had more yards than carries at one point. Jacobs has proven that he still has it.
• Also worth noting that Malik Willis did complete some big passes once LaFleur opened that part of the playbook a little in the second half. Let’s hope for some more first down passing next week against the Titoons.
• On paper, the Colts offense is supposed to be just like this version of the Packers, just better at everything. Better QB, better RB, better line, better receivers, better QB run game, etc. You’d be hard pressed to find any offensive group for the Colts that performed better than their Packer counterpart today. Richardson had three picks. Jonathan Taylor had a great game but randomly ghosted the fourth quarter. Their receivers had plenty of drops. And the Packers rushing total and lack of pressures given up speaks for the line. Part of this success is thanks to a bounce back game from the defense.
• Last week, the Colts had 27 points and the highlight throw of the year. They had a few more yards this week (thanks largely to playing against a prevent defense for much of the fourth) but were shut down to the tune of just 10 points.
• The defense had seven passes defended, 3 interceptions and no third downs lining up five yards beyond the first down line. I wasn’t in to the prevent in the fourth quarter but you definitely have to admit that this defense is playing tighter than it ha in years.
• Eric Wilson had an incredible impact stopping a speed option play on fourth down and then later coming up with a pick. The linebacker position for the Packers is still leaving a lot to be desired but Wilson showed up with these two plays at least.
• Jaire Alexander had a bounce back game and didn’t give up any significant plays. Carrington Valentine also played well – taking a lot of snaps from Eric Stokes.
Mike Price is a lifelong Packers fan currently living in Utah. You can follow him on twitter at @themikeprice.
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