The Green Bay Packers offensive line made the fans of old-school football proud as they helped lead the Pack to a 16-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
On a day that was the second warmest game at Lambeau Field with a kick-off temperature of 85 degrees, Rasheed Walker, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Meyers, Sean Rhyan, and Zac Tom controlled the line of scrimmage in the first half and helped the Packers skill players pick up 164 yards on the ground in the first quarter alone.
Tom, who sealed the right edge several times on big runs by Josh Jacobs, who ended the day with 151 yards, and Emanual Wilson and MarShawn Lloyd, was surprised to hear that was the most rushing yards by any NFL team in a single quarter since 2011.
“We came in here knowing what we had to do and we were executing and you know, Josh was toting the rock,” he told Seehafer News. “We knew we had we knew what we had to do, and that was a big emphasis this week. We came out and we did it.”
The main reason for the run emphasis was the fact that Jordan Love did not play, meaning Malik Willis had to make his first career start, and he looked good doing it.
On top of going 12-14 for 122 yards, and throwing his first-ever touchdown pass to Jayden Reed, Wills got it done on the ground as well, rushing for 41 yards on six carries.
Walker, who was protecting Willis’ backside, shared his thoughts on the young QB with Seehafer News.
“He was poised. He was confident in the huddle. He did what he was supposed to do,” he explained. “He did his thing. He got called on, and he stepped up.”
Jacobs also had high praise for the receivers, who had to do a lot more blocking than they usually would.
“We don’t have no selfish guys, especially on this offense,” Jacobs revealed. “These guys come in, and they take it personally…A lot of receivers don’t want to play that type of game, and our receivers…they want to catch the ball, didn’t want to get hit too much. So for them to be able to do it all and to show that they will do it all for their teammate, I think it means a lot. I think it shows a lot about this team.”
The Packers’ defense also had a stellar game, holding the explosive Colts offense to just 10 points, thanks in part to three interceptions by the defense.
Xavier McKinney came down with his second pick in as many games, while Eric Wilson also snagged one, and in the final play of the game, Evan Williams came down with the dagger interception with time expired.
That exact situation is one that Williams and McKinney had discussed during their preparation for the Colts.
Williams explained to Seehafer News, “I was like, ‘Would you ever knock the ball down in that scenario?’ and he’s like, ‘No, I’m never knocking it down. I’m always going for the pick it if it’s coming to me.’ And I was like, ‘Okay.’”
With the win, the Packers improve to 1-1 and must now get ready for a road trip Nashville.
The Titans lost to Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets in a game where Fond du Lac native and former UW Badger Braelon Allen rushed for his first career touchdown.
Kickoff in the Music City next Sunday is scheduled for noon, and will be aired on 107.9 FM WOMT.
