The Indianapolis Colts will face the Green Bay Packers on the road in Week 2. In this game, backup quarterback Malik Willis will start for the Packers, as Jordan Love is sidelined with a knee injury. The Colts, still searching for their first win of the season, have an opportunity to bounce back after a close loss in Week 1. While there were some positive aspects to their performance, the Colts must address specific areas if they want to secure a victory. Two critical issues contributed to their Week 1 downfall, and improvement in these areas will be key to their success in Week 2.
Areas the Colts Must Improve Ahead of Week 2
Run Offense
In Week 1, the Colts struggled to establish a productive running game despite having star running back Jonathan Taylor on the field. The team managed just 48 rushing yards from their running backs, with Taylor accounting for most of it but only averaging three yards per carry on 16 attempts. Although the Colts totaled 104 rushing yards, quarterback Anthony Richardson was responsible for 56 of those, which is not an ideal situation for any offense. Taylor, who has historically excelled against the Texans, was the only running back to register a rushing attempt in the game, highlighting the lack of diversity in their rushing attack.
Although the Colts trailed for most of the game, they were never too far behind to abandon the run entirely. Head coach Shane Steichen could have incorporated other running backs, like Trey Sermon or Tyler Goodson, to keep the Texans’ defense off balance. Relying solely on Richardson’s legs isn’t a sustainable strategy, and to gain control of the line of scrimmage against the Packers, the Colts need to run the ball more effectively. A consistent and efficient ground game will allow them to dictate the pace of the game and keep the Packers’ defense guessing.
Run Defense
One of the most glaring weaknesses for the Colts in Week 1 was their inability to stop the Texans’ rushing attack. Houston ran for 213 yards, the highest total allowed by any team in the league in the opening week. The Colts gave up an average of 5.3 yards per carry, ranking 28th in the league, and allowed a 50% success rate on third downs, ranking 25th. Their run defense was among the worst in the NFL in Week 1, and this issue must be addressed immediately if they hope to win in Week 2.
With the Packers relying on a backup quarterback in Malik Willis, it’s expected that Green Bay will lean heavily on their top running back, Josh Jacobs. Jacobs had a solid performance in Week 1, rushing 16 times for 84 yards, averaging over five yards per carry. The Packers will likely attempt to set the tone by running the ball frequently, and the Colts’ defense will need to respond with physicality and discipline. Shutting down Jacobs and the Packers’ rushing attack will be critical to Indianapolis’ success.
Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley is under pressure this season after an underwhelming defensive performance last year. His unit’s rocky start in Week 1 only intensifies the scrutiny. However, Week 2 presents a chance for Bradley’s defense to redeem itself by improving its run-stopping ability and helping the Colts regain their footing.
In summary, if the Colts want to get their first win of the season against the Packers, they must significantly improve their rushing offense and defense. A balanced attack on the ground and a physical presence on defense will be essential to controlling the game and preventing Green Bay from capitalizing on their backup quarterback’s limitations.
