Don't let the slow start fool you. The Indianapolis Colts will pose a significant challenge to the Green Bay Packers this weekend.
After stumbling to a 1-2 start and scoring just 52 points over their first three games, the Colts have bounced back after their week 4 bye to score 31 points in each of two games. Their first 31 point effort was admittedly a bit of an aberration. The Colts scored three times in the last five minutes against the Houston Texans, aided by two turnovers by quarterback Sage Rosenfels. However, last week's game against the Baltimore Ravens was no fluke. Instead, it was an indication that the Colts might be getting their groove back. Before traveling to Indy, the Ravens were giving up just 14 points per game, but Manning and the Colts more than doubled that, rolling to an easy 31-3 victory. Manning threw for 271 yards and three scores without throwing an interception.
Colts running back Joseph Addai left the game early last week and is not expected to play on Sunday. As has been the case with the Packers, the Colts have been plagued by various injuries on both offense and defense, and their banged up offensive line undoubtedly played a role in the Colts slow start. It is also worth noting that Manning sat out the entire preseason with a knee injury, so it may be that he is now hitting his groove after having a few games to get into football mode once again.
On the Packers end, they need to simply play football. Coach Mike McCarthy does not like to get into changing schemes too much based on the opponent, believing that proper execution of the game plan will help beat most any team, particularly an opponent like the Colts, whose quarterback makes many adjustments at the line.
“It really goes back to the game of football. We need to make sure that what we set out to do with our call, the adjustments within every call, offense and defense alike, that we're lined up properly,” McCarthy stated when asked about the way Manning’s audibles. “We cannot let the opponent dictate how we're going to play the game, and that's a big part of it.”
The Packers are hoping to be aided by the return of defensive tackle Justin Harrell who is eligible for his first week of play after starting the season on the physically unable to perform list. Harrell participated fully in practice this past week, but the Packers had not made a decision on whether or not he would play. Given that the Packers have been rotating three players at defensive tackle (Ryan Pickett, Johnny Jolly and Colin Cole), the additional man would go a long way to keeping the middle of the line fresh towards the end of the game.
The defensive backfield was also hoping to get a boost from safety Atari Bigy this week, but it looks as though his return will have to wait until after the bye week. Cornerback Al Harris may also return at that time.
In the meantime, the Packers will continue to rely on Aaron Rouse at the strong safety position and Tramon Williams opposite Charles Woodson at cornerback. Rouse has filled in serviceably for Green Bay. He has not made any particularly spectacular plays, but he has avoided the kind of error that could turn a football game. For his part, Williams has had an impressive three games as a starter, intercepting a pass in each of his starts while keeping his man in check. Both he and Woodson will face formidable opponents as perennial Pro Bowlers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne line up across the line of scrimmage.
If the Packers can play within themselves and avoid getting locked into Manning’s signals at the line, they should not have a problem hanging with a team that put up 45 points against them last time they met in 2004, a game they lost by 14 points in Indy. In that game, Manning three five touchdown passes and no interceptions. The Packers will look to add to their 11 interceptions on the year and end the Colts winning streak at two.
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