NFL Game of the Week: Packers vs. Colts
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers (7-2) are heading off to Indianapolis to square off against Phillip Rivers and the Colts (6-3).
The two veteran quarterbacks will be facing off on Sunday for the fifth time in their long tenured careers. Rodgers holds a commanding 3-1 lead in these matchups. However, this will be the first time Rivers is in a Colts uniform.
The Colts are coming off of a dominant victory over division rival Tennessee Titans last Thursday night. While Rivers has had a turbulent season thus far, he notched one of his best performances all season last week where he threw for 308 yards and one touchdown. While he hopes to build off this performance, he faces a stringent Green Bay secondary that has allowed just 195 passing yards in their last three outings.
The Packers, on the other hand, snuck out a four point victory against the pitiful Jacksonville Jaguars. While the 24-20 score may sound concerning, we can likely attribute this narrow margin to the brutal weather we saw at Lambeau Field last Sunday.
Rodgers was still electrifying in the victory, throwing for 325 yards and two touchdowns. The star-studded offense consisting of Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones and Davante Adams will likely face their toughest test of the season with the Colts who have allowed just 19.7 points per game. Their rushing attack ranks third in the NFL while their passing attack ranks second.
In order to beat such a superior secondary like the Colts, Rodgers is going to need options at the wide receiver position. Davante Adams has been one of, if not the best wide receivers in the NFL this season. Rodgers targets him an average of 12 times per game for 105 yards.
However, it is important to note that Adams was hampered by an ankle injury last week. He was able to finish the contest, even scoring a pivotal touchdown to cap off the victory. If Adams is affected in any way from this injury, we can expect to see Marquez Valdes-Scantling have an even larger role this Sunday.
Rodgers has been begging for help from receivers outside of Adams, and Valdes-Scantling has been delivering. He exploded for three touchdowns and 202 yards over the past two games.
A name to watch for on the other sideline that looks to disrupt the Green Bay backfield is defensive end DeForest Buckner. Buckner has recorded 2.5 sacks and 16 hits on the quarterback this season.
We can expect Rivers to look to try to outscore Rodgers by targeting his new weapon in Michael Pittman. The 6-foot-4 wide receiver out of USC was drafted this year with the No. 34 overall selection in the 2020 Draft. He is coming off of his first career 100 yard receiving game.
The Packers are currently tied for the one-seed in the NFC with the Saints. With Drew Brees injured, this could be an opportunity for Green Bay to take sole possession of the top spot.
The Colts currently sit atop the AFC South. However, they maintain the same record as the Titans. They look to build separation with a win on Sunday.
Chris Deptulski is a senior majoring in biorenewable systems. To contact him, email cgd5108@psu.edu.
