The Green Bay Packers sat 29 gamers for Saturday preseason recreation towards the Indianapolis Colts, together with most starters on either side of the ball, and Matt LaFleur’s group predictably fell behind 13-0 whereas dealing with a lot of the Colts’ starters within the first half. But as soon as the sport evened out, and Packers backups confronted Colts backups, Green Bay got here alive, out-scoring Indianapolis 20-6 within the second half to attain a 23-19 win at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Considering so many necessary gamers for the Packers did not take part, the issues of consequence have been few and much between.
Advertisement
Quick takeaways
— Jordan Morgan regarded snug once more at left sort out regardless of dealing with the Colts beginning defensive entrance.
— The Packers are deep at operating again. MarShawn Lloyd had a 33-yard catch on a wheel route, Emanuel Wilson created a 31-yard catch after breaking a sort out on a dump off move, Israel Abanikanda virtually single-handedly created a landing drive, had 5 kickoff returns and a sort out protecting a kickoff, and Amar Johnson powered his strategy to a 9-yard landing run. Who the Packers carry on the 53-man roster and the follow squad will likely be value watching as a result of many on the place have acknowledged a powerful case.
— Mecole Hardman had just a few good reps, and his selections on punt returns have been vastly improved. On a 3rd down within the first quarter, Hardman exploded off the ball, acquired a clear launch and was huge open for Malik Willis on an out-breaking route. He additionally had a 10-yard punt return and let one other punt hit on the 5-yard line for a touchback.
Advertisement
— The QB3 battle is heating up. Taylor Elgersma, the rookie from Canada, was the primary one up after Malik Willis performed three sequence. Elgersma wanted a second to get settled in after a shaky begin, however he finally led three scoring drives and flashed his big-arm expertise on a number of downfield throws. Sean Clifford did not enter the sport till halfway via the fourth quarter, however he led the game-winning drive.
— Who would be the ninth offensive lineman on the roster? Donovan Jennings, who began at left guard, actually struggled early, giving up a handful of pressures and committing a holding penalty that negated an enormous play. A evaluation of the tape will likely be required, but it surely did not seem as any of the offensive linemen took an enormous step towards profitable a roster spot on Saturday.
— Jeff Hafley and the Packers have been emphasizing takeaways, particularly compelled fumbles, and it was clear a number of gamers have been constantly ripping on the soccer. But the Packers did not get a takeaway for the second straight preseason recreation.
— Bo Melton, who began, had a move breakup on a slant and later blew up a run with a pressure inside, making a sort out for loss. He continues to look the half in his transition from receiver to cornerback.
Advertisement
— Isaiah Simmons had points in protection early and missed a sort out contained in the 10-yard line. For all his athleticism, Simmons nonetheless appears like a participant studying a brand new place.
— Julian Hicks ought to have had an even bigger day within the field rating. Two of his catches, together with an unimaginable one-hander within the first half, have been negated by penalty. Cornelius Johnson caught three passes, together with two changing huge first downs.
— The Packers have been 4-for-4 on fourth down and 3-for-3 scoring touchdowns within the pink zone.
— Isaiah Neyor acquired behind the protection at the very least twice, however Elgersma and Clifford each missed him quick.
Advertisement
— Daniel Whelan put all three of his punts contained in the 20-yard line, together with a 59-yarder that flipped the sphere. Rookie kicker Mark McNamee missed an additional level and a subject purpose, creating 4 misplaced factors. McNamee is getting his first style of NFL kicking.
Biggest play
Not lengthy after his scramble transformed a fourth down, quarterback Sean Clifford used his legs to place the Packers forward — and forward for good — on this 11-yard landing run with just below two minutes to go within the fourth quarter.
Standout participant
Running again Israel Abanikanda carried the load on the Packers’ first landing drive, completed with 12 carries for a game-high 43 dashing yards, averaged 24.0 yards on 5 kickoff returns and delivered a sort out protecting a kickoff. Can he push for a 53-man roster spot? He has velocity and one-cut capacity, and the Packers clearly like him as a kickoff returner.
Advertisement
Reason for optimism
The Packers second-string protection held its personal towards the Colts starters. Green Bay’s protection compelled a punt on the opening drive and was solely chargeable for giving up 10 factors contemplating a fumble arrange a brief subject for 3 factors. Again, this was all backups towards the Colts most popular starters. It wasn’t good however most of the second-stringers held up simply positive towards higher competitors.
Cause for concern
Rookie offensive sort out Anthony Belton dedicated 5 first-half penalties — together with three pre-snap infractions — throughout a sloppy first half-hour of soccer. Coach Matt LaFleur was visibly upset with the efficiency of his second-round decide coming off the sphere at halftime. To his credit score, Belton did not have a penalty and performed a lot better within the second half. He must get way more constant as a younger participant. Overall, the Packers had 11 first-half penalties, together with a number of wiping out huge performs.
Advertisement
Injuries
Three of word: Safety Omar Brown left on a cart and can keep in an Indianapolis hospital in a single day due to a chest contusion, rookie defensive finish Barryn Sorrell has a knee damage and operating again MarShawn Lloyd has an unknown standing after taking an enormous hit after his 33-yard catch within the first half.
This article initially appeared on Packers Wire: Quick takeaways from Packers’ preseason win over Colts