Official Packers vs. Colts Discussion Thread

[Joemailman]

Colts lead all-time series 23-21-1. 23-20-1 in regular season, 0-1 in playoffs.

Last meeting: November 22, 2020: Colts defeated the Packers 34-31. Aaron Rodgers threw for 311 yards with 3 TD's and 1 INT. Davante Adams caught 7 passes for 106 yards and 1 TD. For the Colts, Philip Rivers threw for 288 yards with 3 TD's and 1 INT.

Colts are coming off a 29-27 home loss to the Houston Texans. Anthony Richardson completed just 9 of 19 passes, but for 212 yards with 2 TD's and 1 INT. Alec Pierce caught 3 passes for 125 yards and 1 TD. Defensively, Colts allowed 417 total yards, including 213 on the ground.

Colts are favored by 3.
Over/under: 41.5
Moneyline: Packers +135, Colys -160

[Tony Oday]

We lose this one in a laugher, win next week and lose to the Vikes. 1-3 when Love comes back.

[Fritz]

The Flower is going to rip Half-Assley a new one so he's whole (and hole), and the defense will play better. Richardson will have some monster plays but screw up a lot and the Packers will tackle better.

On offense, Willis and Co. will look like a clanky, sputtering machine that occasionally roars.

Pack will do just enough to win. Nards redeems himself.

Green Bay 24
Indy 23

[run pMc]

Colts run D was porous, I would guess they will emphasize fixing that this week, especially since Willis is at QB.

Coin flip game but GB is at home and I think they will be motivated to wash the stink off from Game 1. They'll have had a few extra days to stew about it. I think GB wins an ugly one.

[Joemailman]

MLF said it will be Willis if Love is not cleared to play.

Said Love will not be put on IR

Said he failed to communicate which led to Nixon returning KO at the end. That was not supposed to happen.

[Fritz]

You do have to think the Colts will go all-out to stop the run, including Willis. He'll need to hit a couple of longer throws to burn the Colts and get them to back down a little.

Can he do that? We shall see.

Funny how ol' MLF is being coy, as if Love could actually start.

[bobblehead]

Colts hemouraged 200 ground yards, and we aren't talking 89 to a running QB. Houston showed the way but got hosed a couple ways. Mixon had 30 carries. We need all 3 guys active and pound the rock. Hell, line a guard up at FB. Don't let Stroud on the field.

[red]

i think if willis has this cannon of an arm that people say he has, then you start the game with him going deep, then do it a few time during the game to keep the D thinking, then pound the shit out of the ball with jacobs, willson and willis

[Vincenzo]

God help us with Malik Willis at the helm!

[Teamcheez1]

I feel like the offense will be completely bogged down all game.
Eventually, the defense wears down and the Colts pull ahead.

I think we do just enough to lose.

[Fritz]

I feel like the offense will be completely bogged down all game.
Eventually, the defense wears down and the Colts pull ahead.

I think we do just enough to lose.

Very likely going to be another ugly game. But I'm a little more optimistic than you are - I think the Packers will do just enough on offense and defense to squeak one out.

[wthigoot]

i think if willis has this cannon of an arm that people say he has, then you start the game with him going deep, then do it a few time during the game to keep the D thinking, then pound the shit out of the ball with jacobs, willson and willis

Willis hits Watson deep early and Watson fails to drop it. 7-0.
Willis to Wicks for several first downs.
Wilson for some good runs.

Win, just barely.

Agree with Fritz, take the under on this one.

[MadScientist]

The offense is going to be vanilla by necessity, and the new QB stares down receivers. The combination is not ideal for the Packers. The defense will have to look like a completely different unit than the one that shit the bed the final 3 quarters against Philly. Watching this game will be more curiosity than genuine excitement.

[MadScientist]

Agree with Fritz, take the under on this one.

I like your optimism that the overworked defense that can't tackle anybody will keep Indy under 42 points.

[Fritz]

I like your optimism that the overworked defense that can't tackle anybody will keep Indy under 42 points.

Mad, I get the pessimism, but it's too early in the season to be bitter!

[run pMc]

The offense is going to be vanilla by necessity, and the new QB stares down receivers. The combination is not ideal for the Packers. The defense will have to look like a completely different unit than the one that shit the bed the final 3 quarters against Philly. Watching this game will be more curiosity than genuine excitement.

That's not fair, they shit the bed in the first quarter too. Well maybe not the defense, but still.

Philly's first two possessions were turnovers and all GB could do is kick FGs.
That, plus the penalties and poor 3rd down conversion rate told a pretty bad story that GB did not execute well the entire game. And yet they scored 29 and had a chance to win in a minute left in the game.

[Joemailman]

Matt Schneidman
@mattschneidman

Joe Davis, Greg Olsen and Pam Oliver on the Packers-Colts call for FOX from Lambeau on Sunday.

[Fritz]

Greg or Merlin?

Glad Pam Oliver is still able to ply her trade. She’s brave.

[Joemailman]

Fox Single - Most of the midwest will see Colts at Packers. Joe Davis and Greg Olsen with the call. Northwest Wisconsin and much of Minnesota will get Los Angeles Rams at Arizona. (Late) Adam Amin and Mark Sanchez with the call. LP of Michigan will get Tampa Bay at Detroit. Kevin Kugler and Daryl Johnston with the call. Northwest, including Alaska will get Seattle at New England. Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma with the call.

https://506sports.com/2024/02-FOX.png

[Joemailman]

Love not practicing today. Everybody else is.

[Joemailman]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GXOJrwFWoAAGTdt?format=jpg&name=large

[Teamcheez1]

Latest line is Colts (-3.5)

[Fritz]

Latest line is Colts (-3.5)

That’s because Marshmallow Lloyd was limited in practice.

[Joemailman]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GXTRqRNXUAACxXe?format=jpg&name=large

[King Friday]

Can’t see how Green Bay wins if Willis is under center. I suppose Indy could shit themselves, but I can’t see our offense putting up more than 13. If we win, it will be ugly.

[ThunderDan]

Can’t see how Green Bay wins if Willis is under center. I suppose Indy could shit themselves, but I can’t see our offense putting up more than 13. If we win, it will be ugly.

Maybe we can pull a Steelers or Bears against them.

[Fritz]

Can’t see how Green Bay wins if Willis is under center. I suppose Indy could shit themselves, but I can’t see our offense putting up more than 13. If we win, it will be ugly.

For no good, logical reason, I think the Pack will win this one, maybe more handily than we’d even hope.

I am however notoriously poor at prognosticating.

[Patler]

I didn't want to see Willis this soon, or at all in critical situations this year; but, now that it is what it is, I am looking forward to watching him. I look forward to seeing what they cook up for an offensive game plan, and how they might use his athletic abilities. He seemed to have an OK preseason this year, for what it's worth.

It will be interesting.

[Fritz]

I didn't want to see Willis this soon, or at all in critical situations this year; but, now that it is what it is, I am looking forward to watching him. I look forward to seeing what they cook up for an offensive game plan, and how they might use his athletic abilities. He seemed to have an OK preseason this year, for what it's worth.

It will be interesting.

I don't like Packer QB's getting hurt, but I do enjoy the variability that a backup brings. Are you gonna get a Seneca-Wallace-like performance, in which the backup looks lost, lost, lost, are you you gonna get a Matty Flynn light-em-up performance, or a Brett Hundley very "meh" and middling performance?

I don't recall Green Bay having a running-type QB since they signed Bobby Douglas in the fruitless early-and-mid-seventies search for a QB. This should be interesting. I only hope I can get it on Sling TV, since the Loins game is going to be on here on Fox.

[MadScientist]

I don't like Packer QB's getting hurt, but I do enjoy the variability that a backup brings. Are you gonna get a Seneca-Wallace-like performance, in which the backup looks lost, lost, lost, are you you gonna get a Matty Flynn light-em-up performance, or a Brett Hundley very "meh" and middling performance?

I don't recall Green Bay having a running-type QB since they signed Bobby Douglas in the fruitless early-and-mid-seventies search for a QB. This should be interesting. I only hope I can get it on Sling TV, since the Loins game is going to be on here on Fox.

Seneca the Elder and Hundley had, to be generous, noodle arms. Willis has a live arm, but will likely have trouble with knowing what the defense is throwing at him. I'm guessing they will blitz plenty as that is where young QB's struggle. His timing with the receivers and ability to look off safeties will be a big worry as well.

[Fritz]

Seneca the Elder and Hundley had, to be generous, noodle arms. Willis has a live arm, but will likely have trouble with knowing what the defense is throwing at him. I'm guessing they will blitz plenty as that is where young QB's struggle. His timing with the receivers and ability to look off safeties will be a big worry as well.

You're right - it's just that I didn't make my point clear. It's more about the surprise that a backup QB brings - you just don't know what you're gonna get. Sometimes it's super ugly, and sometimes they're pretty okay.

I am sure you're right that Indy will bring the heat to try to make this kid hurry, and it'll probably work most of the time. If the kid can just get a couple bombs and make some big plays with his feet, and maybe not throw more than one interception, the Pack can win this game.

[NewsBruin]

Thr Colts might have a little more scouting on Willis, since he was in their division prior to ours.

[Joemailman]

Impossible to predict how Willis will react to being thrown in there so soon. But with the Colts having 2 starters from their defensive backfield out with injuries, the Packers receiver corps should have an advantage over the Colts defensive backfield.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GXYYXMVXAAATykx?format=jpg&name=small

[MadScientist]

You're right - it's just that I didn't make my point clear. It's more about the surprise that a backup QB brings - you just don't know what you're gonna get. Sometimes it's super ugly, and sometimes they're pretty okay.

I am sure you're right that Indy will bring the heat to try to make this kid hurry, and it'll probably work most of the time. If the kid can just get a couple bombs and make some big plays with his feet, and maybe not throw more than one interception, the Pack can win this game.

That's fair. We won't know what Willis can show until Sunday. I'm sure the Packers are preparing him for Indy bringing the heat. There might be an advantage for the Packers on the blitz. On a blitz, he will be geared up to go with the hot read, so he won't have time to over think anything, and staring down a receiver won't matter in that case. The flip side is that a dummy blitz could lead to a pick.

[texaspackerbacker]

I see Love is up to Questionable. I said a few days ago, 50/50 he plays. I will up that now to 55/45 - still not completely confident.

[smuggler]

Would be a shame to lose to the Colts, but not work risking Love in the game. I'm not watching.

[texaspackerbacker]

I seriously doubt it would be a risk to play him - basically no more so than sending him out there 100% healthy. The question is, would his play be impaired? And I tend to doubt he would be, not significantly at least.

The last game I saw in person was when Aaron Rodgers got messed up against the Bears and came out in the second half, leg injury and all, and won the game.

I read that Willis himself thinks Love is gonna play.

[Patler]

Willis is a very smart guy (scored 32 on Wonderlic) with a big arm (GB receivers have mentioned it since he arrived.) He has running ability many QBs do not have. What he lacks is experience. The coaches need to devise an offensive game plan that embraces both the positives and the negatives that he brings.

[Vincenzo]

Willis is a very smart guy (scored 32 on Wonderlic) with a big arm (GB receivers have mentioned it since he arrived.) He has running ability many QBs do not have. What he lacks is experience. The coaches need to devise an offensive game plan that embraces both the positives and the negatives that he brings.
We love this!
I mean fall asleep tonight dreaming we have a new hero.

[Fritz]

Willis is a very smart guy (scored 32 on Wonderlic) with a big arm (GB receivers have mentioned it since he arrived.) He has running ability many QBs do not have. What he lacks is experience. The coaches need to devise an offensive game plan that embraces both the positives and the negatives that he brings.

I would think there are long-term benefits to starting Willis for the next game or two. The experience would help, if he’s needed down the line, and you’re protecting your bajillion dollar investment in Love by not exposing that MCL to re-aggravation. I’d love to hear the Packer coaches’ conversations about whether they think they can squeak out a win this week.

Finally, I do wonder if players, being human, sometimes get a bit lax in their approach, as everyone around them says “it’s all about the star QB carrying the team.” Do they subconsciously maybe look at Love (or Rodgers or Favre) and wait for them to make it happen? We saw how the offense got stale when everyone waited around for Rodgers to do something.

I’m just throwing it out there. Might be nothing to it. I just wonder if it’d be really good for the psyche of the team to win one with the backup QB.

[ThunderDan]

I would think there are long-term benefits to starting Willis for the next game or two. The experience would help, if he’s needed down the line, and you’re protecting your bajillion dollar investment in Love by not exposing that MCL to re-aggravation. I’d love to hear the Packer coaches’ conversations about whether they think they can squeak out a win this week.

Finally, I do wonder if players, being human, sometimes get a bit lax in their approach, as everyone around them says “it’s all about the star QB carrying the team.” Do they subconsciously maybe look at Love (or Rodgers or Favre) and wait for them to make it happen? We saw how the offense got stale when everyone waited around for Rodgers to do something.

I’m just throwing it out there. Might be nothing to it. I just wonder if it’d be really good for the psyche of the team to win one with the backup QB.

Personally, I think the offense got stale when Fat Mike said the receivers need to beat their man 1 on 1.

MM developed an increadible offense. Once D coordinators had a few years of plays on film the O started to go down hill. Only ARods arm talent safed our O in stretches.

This is why I like young prodigies. They are constantly innovating which is what you need to stay on the leading edge of the NFL.

[Fritz]

Willis is a very smart guy (scored 32 on Wonderlic) with a big arm (GB receivers have mentioned it since he arrived.) He has running ability many QBs do not have. What he lacks is experience. The coaches need to devise an offensive game plan that embraces both the positives and the negatives that he brings.

To that end, I've been wondering if Malik Heath will get more snaps than usual, due to his blocking skill. It would make sense, if you're going to design some QB runs (I can see the fake handoff to Jacobs up the middle, then Willis sprinting outside with the option to run or pass), you'd want to maximize those with good downfield blocking. And now that Reed's questionable, that might just increase the chances further that Heath will get more snaps on offense. And he catches the ball pretty well, too. I think he's a pretty good red-zone target.

It'll be interesting to see how The Flower schemes this offense for this quarterback and this opponent.

[bobblehead]

Willis is a very smart guy (scored 32 on Wonderlic) with a big arm (GB receivers have mentioned it since he arrived.) He has running ability many QBs do not have. What he lacks is experience. The coaches need to devise an offensive game plan that embraces both the positives and the negatives that he brings.

He also has 3 training camps under his belt. I recall a QB last year in a similar situation that exploded last season. No one knew what to think for sure, but that guy came into his own.

I loved the trade even though it admitted failure on our other QBs. Lets be honest, Willis was a project coming out and went in the 3rd (sort of like Jalen Hurts). He looked great in this years fake games. I didn't want him on the field yet, I wanted him to get a year of wisdom from MiLF and Love, but we don't have that luxury. I'm excited to see if the guy who made Mariotta look serviceable can do the same or more for Willis.

edit: A point I forgot to make about drafting QBs. Which is a better investment (and its open to debate)....a 7th for a talented guy with 3 camps under his belt but in a situation that just didn't work out, or a 5th for Clifford or a 7th for Pratt??

[Joemailman]

Sean Clifford elevated to GameDay roster.

[Fritz]

Sean Cliffords . . . still the backup.

I've wondered what the hell happens to the offensive game plan if Willis goes down. After working to tailor a game plan to Willis's strong arm and crazy legs, what do you do when Cliffy comes into the game, he of the noodle arm and the leaden feet?

[Joemailman]

Jordan Love downgraded to doubtful.

[Patler]

After working to tailor a game plan to Willis's strong arm and crazy legs, what do you do when Cliffy comes into the game, he of the noodle arm and the leaden feet?

Handoff.

[bobblehead]

Sean Cliffords . . . still the backup.

I've wondered what the hell happens to the offensive game plan if Willis goes down. After working to tailor a game plan to Willis's strong arm and crazy legs, what do you do when Cliffy comes into the game, he of the noodle arm and the leaden feet?

Maybe after 3 camps in an offense not that different from our own the gameplan WON'T have to be dumbed down. We are all thinking of Willis as the guy coming out, not the guy 3 years in. This spring he looked good. I have no idea if its smoke and mirrors or not. Some guys...dumb guys, process athletic things really fast (Cam Newton). Some really sharp guys never are able to process athletic things in real time (Eli Manning). Time will tell if Willis will become an NFL QB, but I think as a backup it was a good trade.

[Fritz]

But the guy has 1) a different skill set than most Green Bay QB’s, and 2) had had two-and-half weeks to take in the complexities of the myriad different terms in the playbook.

I think it was a good trade and I am rooting for this kid. I just don’t know how NFL teams handle the game planning for situations like this.