Matt LaFleur has work to do. The Green Bay Packers need to find a way to win without Jordan Love, who is expected to miss at least three weeks with a sprained MCL.
There were conflicting reports about the Packers' interest in free-agent quarterback Ryan Tannehill, although the latest from NFL Network's Tom Pelissero is that they haven't reached out to Tannehill or any veteran quarterbacks.
There is no ideal scenario without Love, but LaFleur must make a plan to get the Packers through the next few games, beginning against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2.
Thankfully, the Colts just provided the blueprint to beat them.
Colts' disastrous run defense is great news for Packers entering Week 2
Run the ball.
It sounds simple, but the Packers have to shift their philosophy when the Colts visit Lambeau Field next week. LaFleur's offense is built around Jordan Love, but they may need a more old-school, run-heavy performance to get the victory against Indianapolis.
Even with superstar C.J. Stroud at quarterback, the Houston Texans ran all over the Colts' defense in Week 1. Stroud threw 32 passes, but the Texans ran the ball 40 times, including 30 carries for Joe Mixon.
The result? Houston piled up 213 rushing yards with one touchdown at 5.3 yards per attempt, dominating time-of-possession by exactly 20 minutes.
With Love out of the game, the Colts may play more defenders in the box without the fear of getting burned deep. That adds a challenge, and Willis will need to play his part, but this is a game for the offensive line to do its thing—with a heavy dose of Jacobs mixed in with a change-of-pace from Emanuel Wilson, and, hopefully, a returning MarShawn Lloyd.
It will take a strong effort from every phase, especially on defense, to find a way past the Colts. But Indianapolis showed a weakness defending the run, and it plays perfectly into Green Bay's hands entering Week 2.
