Indianapolis Colts outlast the Green Bay Packers, win 31-26
By Evan Reller
The Indianapolis Colts found a way to hold onto a win this week against the Green Bay Packers. The Colts need big plays at every position to come away with the 31-26 upset.
The Colts opened up Sunday’s game as well as humanly possible: a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Jordan Todman.
All afternoon, the Packers found themselves up against the impenetrable wall that has been the Colts defense all season long (editors note: this might not be factually accurate). Time and again the Packers found themselves in Colts territory, but came away with little to no points.
On paper, this game looked like a disaster for Indianapolis. On the road, against Aaron Rodgers, and with injuries across the offensive line. The Colts had players out of position, saw their quarterback throw multiple picks, and allowed the Packers to claw back into the game.
The Packers offense wouldn’t wake up until late in the fourth quarter, when the Colts had taken an 18-point lead. Two blazing fast drives by the Packers cut the Colts lead to five points with three minutes to play.
The Packers got the Colts into third and long but Andrew Luck was able to find Jack Doyle to keep the drive alive. He would find T.Y. Hilton later on the same drive to ice the game and seal victory for Indianapolis.
Luck finished today completing 23-of-36 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown. He did throw two interceptions in the first quarter alone, but settled down after that. His line did their part and only allowed two sacks this week, despite injuries across the board.
Frank Gore had a solid game on the ground, rushing for 60 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He seemed to pick up the tough yards when the team needed them most.
Hilton was, not surprisingly, Luck’s favorite target today. The fifth year receiver hauled in six passes for 82 yards all with a sore hamstring.
Donte Moncrief, in his second game back, made a number of big plays as well. He only had three receptions, but they went for 55 yards and included a touchdown (on a beautiful back shoulder fade from Luck).
Defensively, the Colts managed to harass Rodgers for much of the afternoon. He was sacked three times, hit four more times, and saw three passes batted out of the hands of his receivers. Darius Butler also managed to come away with a diving interception to end Rodgers streak without a pick.
The Colts will have a much needed week off before they host the Tennessee Titans on November 20th at 1:00 PM.