Packers offense will be put to the test
Seldom have the Green Bay Packers struggled to move the football this season.
Seldom have they played a defense as dynamic as the one they’ll encounter Sunday.
The Packers and their explosive offense will be tested mightily by the Indianapolis Colts and their highly productive defense when they exchange unpleasantries in Indianapolis.
The Colts rank among the leaders in various defensive categories, one being yards allowed per game. Through nine games, in which they won six, the Colts ha171).ve allowed opponents to average a paltry 290.4 yards – or 45.5 yards more per game than the Packers.
The Colts also have yielded only 177 points, the fourth-fewest in the 32-team NFL. Only Baltimore (165), Los Angeles Rams (168) and Pittsburgh (171) have been stingier.
The Colts’ defense has been enhanced considerably this season by the additions of a pair of veterans: defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who played for the 49ers last season, and cornerback Xavier Rhodes, who played for the Vikings last season. Buckner has a team-leading 2.5 sacks and Rhodes has a team-best two interceptions.
While the stats speak volumes about the Colts’ defense, it should also be noted they have yet to play an offense as high-powered as the Packers.
The Packers rank sixth in the league in yards per game at 395.8 and rank fifth in league in points with 277. And they’ve posted those gaudy numbers despite injuries to standout receiver Davante Adams, star running back Aaron Jones and the offensive line.
This game has the makings of being a thriller, one that could be determined on the final drive, and should serve as a litmus test for two teams in quest of a Super Bowl appearance.
Prediction 27, Colts 20.
Gery Woelfel
Gery Woelfel is an award-winning reporter and columnist. Gery has covered a wide-range of sports over his three decades as a professional journalist. During his career, his primary beat has been the NBA and has been a recipient of the Pro Basketball Writers Association of America award. Gery has conducted one-on-one interviews with numerous legendary sports figures like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He has also been a regular contributor for HoopsHype.com and Lindy’s Pro Basketball Magazine and been on various sports talk shows around the country while serving as a pro basketball insider for WSSP (105.7 FM) in Milwaukee. Gery has covered every one of the NBA pre-draft camps, dating to the early ‘80s, along with numerous NFL combines.