A four quarter fight

GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers (1-1) were able to find success against the Indianapolis Colts (0-2) on Sunday, Sept. 15, despite quarterback Jordan Love’s MCL sprain that forced them to rely on backup quarterback Malik Willis.
Willis took the Packers to a 16-10 win over the Colts at Lambeau Field, despite only being picked up by the team three weeks earlier.

According to safety Evan Williams, the Packers are imploring a game plan that they hope will carry them to the postseason, regardless of what injuries or issues befall the team this season.

“It definitely hurts not having 10 and with him on the sideline, but our mentality is really just next man up. With our defense, we shouldn’t really have to rely on one drive, or every other drive. I feel confident in our play,” said Williams.

“I think (Willis) did a great job just coming in and running that offense. You’ve got to give props to the O-line, just coming in and protecting him and just creating gaps for Josh (Jacobs) to just run through.”

Willis was 12/14 for completions and threw for 122 yards and 1 touchdown.
Though the last minute decision to pick up Willis and abandon Sean Clifford — who has known the Packers system for three years — seemed an improbable route for success, the team was able to put together a game plan that would lead to a victory on their home field.

Williams said that he felt the team played well on both sides of the ball.
“We know how important ball dominance in the secondary is,” said Williams.
“I still think we have other levels to tap into, but when we perform close to our best, we can come out with a result like this.”

The fourth-round 2024 Draft pick came up big for the Packers in their most recent game with an interception that he said he was proud to make.
“Whenever I can get on the field, I’m always going to take advantage of those opportunities,” said Williams.

Running back Josh Jacobs said that he also felt the Packers are on track for a successful season.

“It felt good. We knew what we were capable of throughout the week. We knew what it was going to look like if we got certain looks,” said Jacobs. “It played out good.”

Despite playing at Lambeau Field in the second hottest recorded game, Jacobs said that the only thing on his mind was his performance.

“I feel like I could play another half. It was hot — especially in the warm ups, but body wise I feel good,” said Jacobs.

Though the Colts were able to narrow the Packers’ lead to one touchdown, Jacobs said that he thought Willis’s performance — given the circumstances — was impressive.

“I think he did good with his opportunities. I think he was like 12/14 or something like that. I’m very impressed with how he goes about his work,” said Jacobs. “It’s only been two and a half weeks and he picked up the offense and did what was required of him.”

Despite Willis leading the team to victory, Jacobs said that overall the win required expectations to be met in every aspect of the field.

“We knew we had to set that tone,” said Jacobs. “It was definitely a team effort.”

Green Bay Packers Center Josh Meyers said he felt confident in Willis’s ability to lead the team because he had an experienced and steady demeanor all game.

“He was good in the huddle all day. Super calm. Great with the play calls. Really no issues from operation or a huddle stand point,” said Meyers.

Meyers said he was also proud of the performance put up by Jacobs in his first official home game as a Packers player.

“I think someone said he ran it 32 times for 152 (yards) and he was grinding out hard yards. They knew we were running the ball. He ran it hard. That was an impressive showing right there. That makes it easy on the O-line,” said Meyers.

Overall, Meyers said that the team’s preparation for their first game without Jordan Love paid off.

“Guys did a great job of giving Malik confidence. We attacked this game. We knew it was going to be a tough one to win and that it was going to be a four quarter fight,” said Meyers.

Meyers said that battling the heat was another added factor to hurdle.
The kickoff temperature of 85 degrees made the game the second-warmest home game at Lambeau Field in Packers history.

“Just getting my body as right as possible and getting my mind right, too and just make sure to hydrate knowing what kind of day its going to be,” said Meyers.

Despite taking extra steps to prepare for the weather conditions, when it came down to the game, Meyers left it all out on the field.

“I asked Malik why he didn’t throw the ball on that third down and he told me, ‘Josh threw up on the ball,’ and I was like, ‘That’s the first time I ever heard that,’” said Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur.

Meyers managed to get the snap off to Willis as he elected to run the ball towards first down territory in a critical situation.

The Packers hope to avoid another squelching hot day as they travel to Nissan Stadium to face the Tennessee Titans (0-2) on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 12 p.m. CST.