Indianapolis Colts at Green Bay Packers: Behind Enemy Lines

The Indianapolis Colts head north to face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. The Colts are desperate for a win while the Packers need to bounce back from a close loss last week.

The Colts have watched their season slip away the past few weeks and currently sit at 3-5 at the halfway point. The Packers are 4-3, but suffered a one point loss last week at Atlanta that they’d like to forget.

We spoke with the editor of Lombardi Ave to get some inside info on this week’s foe. Editor Josh McPeak gave us the goods on the Packers prior to this week’s game.

Here’s what McPeak had to say:

There has been a lot of talk about Aaron Rodgers not looking like his old self. What do you believe the problem is (or has been) this season?

After the last two weeks, I believe that talk is hopefully coming to an end. However, I think his less than MVP form play, was due to an abundant amount of things. For one, the Packers don’t have the best running game when Eddie Lacy and James Starks are on the field. Needless to say the run game was all but abandoned, once those two went down with injuries.

Aaron Rodgers has a lot of weapons around him, but I think it takes time to earn his trust. Finally, some names other than Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb are starting to earn that trust. Green Bay hasn’t had that premiere tight end, which most top tier quarterbacks enjoy to top things off.

Is there any hope for offensive balance this week for the Packers? They’ve been awfully pass heavy since Eddie Lacy went down, is there concern here or just let Rodgers do his thing until his arm falls off?

James Starks has made it back to practice in limited form. My guess is Don Jackson will see the heaviest load in the backfield against the Colts. Ty Montgomery will also receive some carries, if he is able to return this week. Every week McCarthy talks about getting the run game going. However, you have to call run plays in order for that to happen. I honestly can’t see this team being balanced in the least during the remainder of the season. The Packers will live and die with the right arm of Rodgers.

There has been a lot of criticism lobbed at Mike McCarthy this season (and for years now). Is there any chance they Packers make a change in the near future with him?

I very seriously doubt it. Winning Super Bowl 45 ultimately awarded him a tremendously long grace period. It’s hard to fault a guy who usually makes the postseason each year. Until last year, the Packers had a dominant control over the NFC North as well. Do I think this team should have won another Super Bowl by now? Absolutely!

At times I believe Mike McCarthy is holding a team back with one of the best quarterbacks ever in his prime. Something drastic would have to take place for McCarthy and the Packers to part ways anytime soon.

If you could take one player off the Colts and add him to the Packers roster, who would it be and why?

Having Aaron Rodgers at quarterback already makes that a tough question to answer. Obviously, the first choice for most would be Andrew Luck. I think at this time, I would have to go with T.Y. Hilton. Hilton would give Rodgers another extremely deadly weapon to add in his arsenal. His 15 receptions of over 20 yards on-the-season would be huge, in opening up the Packers’ offense.

Who needs to step up for the Packers to come away with a win Sunday? Is there a player Colts fans likely haven’t heard of who will make a big impact this week?

With such a depleted secondary, the pass-rush has to be huge on Sunday. Luck now has Hilton and Moncrief back in his bag. If the Packers allow Luck to stand in the pocket, he will pick them apart. Hopefully, those protection woes for the Colts continue on Sunday.

The Packers’ third round pick from Utah State is probably not a household name for most Indianapolis fans. But, Kyler Fackrell, could very well be a game changer in this one. Clay Matthews will be back while demanding a lot of attention. Look for Fackrell to take advantage of that from the outside linebacker position, while getting to Luck a couple of times.

What is your prediction for Sunday’s game? Who wins and why?

I’m sure the Packers will be a popular pick. Just as they were a few seasons ago when the Colts made an epic comeback to overtake the Pack. This game makes me nervous. Luck is having a very good year statistically, while Moncrief will have another week under his feet in joining Hilton.

The Packers secondary and running back positions are completely wiped out. Cobb and Montgomery are not currently locks to dress on Sunday as well. A big fear is that a less than 100% Julio Jones downplayed the injuries in the Packers’ secondary a week ago.

It all boils down to the protection of Luck. The Packers will be able to reach him just enough. On top of that I believe Aaron Rodgers is out to put a muzzle on the “white noise”.

Packers 31 Colts 23