The Indianapolis Colts will be looking for their first preseason win when they host the defending Super Bowl champs Green Bay Packers, a rematch from last year’s preseason, where the Packers routed the Colts at Lambeau Field 59-24, scoring six offensive touchdowns and two on special teams.
The game tonight in Lucas Oil Stadium begins at 8 p.m. and will be televised by WISH-TV (Channel 8).
The Colts will look to make strides this week on both sides of the ball being more proficient and committing fewer penalties. The starters will see more action against the Packers. In week one the Colts only had one penalty for five yards, but had eight penalties for 60 yards in week two.
“We go from week one not having any offensive or defensive penalties, to last week having a total of eight. We had a bunch of penalties and that just isn’t like us,” head coach Jim Caldwell said. “We just have to pick up the pieces. We have work to do and we have to stay at it.”
The Peyton Manning-less offense was very inconsistent and wasn’t able to move the ball well last week against the Redskins defense finishing with only 150 yards of total offense. The run game will need to be more solid in order to help back up quarterbacks Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky be more efficient in the passing game in Manning’s absence.
Manning hasn’t seen any action in preseason so far. The timetable for his return is uncertain.
“I certainly want to be out there, and its hard to keep track of the hours I’ve spent in rehab,” Manning said. “I was short-changed a little by the lockout, and I’m going to need every bit of the next two weeks, and then I can give you more of an update with where I am.”
The Colts defense needs to improve on last week’s performance, focusing on stopping the run and emphasizing better tackling. The Packers have an explosive offense that is capable of scoring in bunches when they’re allowed to get into an early rhythm. Even after last week’s performance, coach Caldwell is very optimistic. “We’re going to be able to put together a good football team here, its just going to take some work,” he said.
Green Bay, the favorite to win the NFC this year, is 1-1 this preseason. They’re coming off a 28-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals last week where quarterback Aaron Rodgers hit on 9-12 passes for 97 yards in just three series.
The Packers suffered a blow to their backfield last week when rookie second-round draft pick Ryan Williams went down with a knee injury. Look for veteran Beanie Wells to get more carries this week.
