The Green Bay Packers will welcome the Indianapolis Colts to Lambeau Field on Sunday for their home opener. Like the Packers, the Colts are coming off a loss to a contender in their season opener and are hoping to avoid an 0-2 start to Week 2.
Unlike the Colts, the Packers have a gigantic question mark at quarterback. Jordan Love is questionable to play, and Malik Willis — a backup — has just three career NFL starts and less than three weeks of experience in Matt LaFleur’s scheme.
Will Love play? And if not, will the Packers find a way to steal the game at home?
Here are five things to watch out for and a forecast for Week 2:
Who plays the quarterback position?
The mystery remains after the Packers listed Jordan Love, who did not practice all week, as questionable. Most still assume Love will not play, leaving Malik Willis in the starting lineup. How will the Packers adjust if Willis is under center? It’s tough to say, given his lack of NFL experience and his lack of experience in Matt LaFleur’s scheme. The running game will be key, but so will the play-action passing game and the coverage game, and you can bet LaFleur will dial up some gadget plays. Add to that all the designed runs for Willis, who is a great athlete, and potentially some long shots, and the Packers have a chance. The offense is talented around Willis; LaFleur needs to push the right buttons at the right time, making life easier for the quarterback. Dusty Evely has more on what we could expect from the Packers team with Willis at quarterback.
Defense rally?
Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley admitted the defensive coaching and execution weren’t up to scratch in Week 1, but he was pleased with most of the overall performance and confident the Packers will start to improve Sunday. It’ll be fascinating to see how the performance compares, considering how similar the Colts are to the Eagles. The Colts have a talented and vigorous quarterback (Anthony Richardson), a versatile playmaker with elite skills (Jonathan Taylor), a legitimate No. 1 receiver (Michael Pittman Jr.) and complementary big-play weapons (Alec Pierce), plus a gigantic, experienced and physical offensive line. The Packers’ defense needs to bounce back, especially if Jordan Love isn’t available.
Winning the line of scrimmage
Running the ball and protecting the quarterback will be key regardless of whether Willis or Love starts. The Colts allowed over 200 rushing yards but also sacked Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud four times in the opener. Can the Packers get Josh Jacobs to play in the running game against a front that was cut open by Joe Mixon and could be without DeForest Buckner, who is questionable with a back injury? Willis’ biggest question mark may be in the passing game. He has historically been a quarterback who will handle the ball and invite pressure. Willis was sacked five times in the preseason. The Packers’ offensive line is robust in the passing game, but Matt LaFleur needs to get Willis playing time to avoid too many negative plays on Sunday.
Great arts
The Packers got touchdowns of 70 yards and 33 yards from Jayden Reed in the first game, while the Colts got touchdowns of 60 yards and 54 yards from Anthony Richardson in the first game. Willis is not expected to lead long, methodical plays. Richardson completed only nine passes but finished with more than 200 yards passing in Week 1. The team that can produce more explosive plays is the likely winner on Sunday. He may not have the experience, but Richardson’s legs and impressive arm pose a lot of potential problems. The same can be said for Willis, even if he doesn’t have that great film of Richardson yet. Which quarterback can make one or two gigantic plays that change the game on Sunday?
Beginning defenders
The Packers said linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and safety Evan Williams will play larger roles in Week 2. Cooper showed explosive playmaking ability in the opener but was on the field for only 11 snaps. He could double his playing time Sunday and will be key in containing Jonathan Taylor and Anthony Richardson as runners. Williams didn’t see much action in Week 1, but Jeff Hafley wants him on the field. That could mean multiple packages with Javon Bullard, another rookie, in the slot and Williams deep next to Xavier McKinney. Bullard and Williams will play gigantic roles in preventing the gigantic plays Richardson often chases as a passer.
Prediction: Colts 24, Packers 16 (0-1)
While there’s a chance Jordan Love will play, there’s little confidence in the Packers’ ability to win the game with Malik Willis under center. He may be talented, but Willis is an inconsistent thrower of the football who takes too many sacks and lacks experience in Matt LaFleur’s scheme. Jayden Reed is also dealing with a recent injury, potentially limiting Willis’ key offensive player. While Anthony Richardson has been sporadic, he’s a better candidate to create some gigantic plays on Sunday. In what could be an overall inconsistent game, I’m betting the Packers struggle offensively and can’t generate enough points to pull off a surprise with a backup quarterback.
