Week 1 is thankfully and firmly in the rearview mirror. The Green Bay Packers now look ahead to their home opener this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Will uncertainty on offense provide Packers RB Emanuel Wilson a chance for have a monster game?
Indianapolis Colts & Packers Collective Run Defense Woes
Indianapolis Colts
Last week the Texans had their way with the Colts defense. Joe Mixon peeled off 159 yards on 30 carries in his debut with Houston. The Texans would also put up an additional 41 yards rushing by the remainder of their offense.
Indianapolis ended up dead last in run defense last week according to an article by Fox Sports.
Green Bay Packers
Yep, I know you know what’s coming here. Sure, Jeff Hafley’s new 4-3 scheme will need time to develop. That doesn’t take away the familiar sting of the following phrase.
The Green Bay Packers had no answer for the run yet again.
While the passing defense certainly had shining moments, including interceptions for both Xavier McKinney & Jaire Alexander, the narrative remained the same.
I will say that the defense initially came out strong with a serious lack of complimentary footbal from the offense. Being out on the field non stop with a runner like Saquon Barkley will inevitably lead to points.
Yes I also understand the field was less than desireable. Take a look at what Kenny Clark had to say during an episode of Clubhouse Live hosted by Brett Christopherson.
Excuses aside though, the Eagles played on the same field, and had no issues with limiting the progress of Josh Jacobs.
Mutual Defeat
The Packers and Colts respectively made Saquon and Mixon the NFC and AFC players of the week in their NFL season openers. This Sunday may indeed come down to which defense can withstand the run attack better.
With AJ Dillon out for the season, Josh Jacobs dealing with a bad back, and Marshawn Lloyd still looking to debut, Emanuel Wilson could find himself center stage.
Lastly, with the likely absence of Jordan Love on the field, you may just get a Malik Willis led north and south run attack at Lambeau this Sunday.
Emanuel Wilson, Elusive & Up To The Task
Emanuel Wilson stacked up 46 yards on 4 carries last Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Josh Jacobs took the lion’s share of the snaps, however he didn’t really get his footing until the second half.
Obviously, I expect that if he’s good to go, Jacobs will continue to get the bulk of the carries. However, I think between preseason and last week Emanuel is giving Packer Nation a lot of reasons to be excited.
In the limited opportunities Emanuel received, he showed out and looked the part. Take a look at this 18 yard pick up he had last Friday against the Eagles.
HC Matt LaFleur said in his presser after the game in Sao Paulo that the coaching staff and play calling was just as much to blame as the players lack of execution. We’ll see this week if he will dial up the run game differently. I certainly believe that should Jordan be out, (which is more than likely) that Malik Willis will be game managing with dink and dunk passes and hand offs.
I will admit that I have enjoyed the gamesmanship by LaFleur in floating Jordan’s name into the ether as a starter this week…..
This Sunday’s home opener will be a great chance for the crew to lick their wounds and get back on track at 1265 Lombardi Avenue.
For a full breakdown on the upcoming game, check out this great chat between Cheesehead TV‘s Aaron Nagler and ESPN’s Stephen Holder.
