As the new NFL season enters its second week, the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts come head-to-head at Lambeau Field. Both teams are 0-1 after the opening round of games. The Colts are looking to bounce back from their eleventh straight Week 1 loss, while the Packers aim to recover after a nail-biting defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in the groundbreaking game held at Corinthians Arena in São Paulo, Brazil.
This will be the first meeting between the two sides without either Peyton Manning or Aaron Rodgers since 1997. The Colts and Packers have had many memorable clashes in recent decades, none more so than in 2012, when the Colts secured a dramatic 30-27 victory.
The most recent game between the two franchises was in 2020, with the Colts emerging victorious 34-31 in overtime. Over their last 10 meetings between 1985 and 2020, the Colts have had the upper hand, winning 7 games to the Packers’ 3. Overall, the two sides have met a total of 45 times, including both regular season and playoffs, with the Colts holding a 23-21-1 record against the Packers. The Colts are currently on a 3-game winning streak against the Cheeseheads.
New faces for Week 2 showdown
The Green Bay Packers suffered an injury blow in their first game, with star quarterback Jordan Love sustaining a suspected MCL injury. However, the Packers’ injury report released on Friday lists Love as questionable, offering a slim hope that he may play some part in the Week 2 clash. If Love doesn’t play, the Packers will start Malik Willis, who was traded from the Tennessee Titans just two weeks ago. Willis commented, “It’s pretty much been around the clock since I got here. That’s the reality of this thing. You try to come in and be ready to go if you’re called upon.”
Another key player listed as questionable for the Packers is wide receiver Jayden Reed, who picked up a shin injury and was added to the injury report on Friday.
On the Colts’ side, they also have several injury concerns, including safety Julian Blackmon, who is confirmed out of the game. Wide receiver Josh Downs, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, and defensive end Kwity Paye are all listed as questionable. Meanwhile, Colts kicker Matt Gay is back in contention for a starting spot.
Indianapolis quarterback Anthony Richardson joked in a recent interview that he’s glad the Colts are heading to Wisconsin in early September rather than December. “I’m a Florida guy,” he said. “I know it gets real cold there, and I don’t want to be freezing my butt off.” Wisconsin is notorious for its harsh winters, so the September temperature of a relatively warm 27°C (80°F) is a welcome relief for the southern-born Richardson.
Who will claim their first win of the season remains the big question.
Watch the Green Bay Packers face the Indianapolis Colts tonight at 6pm BST.
