GREEN BAY, Wisc. – The Colts were able to withstand an early ground onslaught but were unable to mount enough offensive momentum on Sunday, losing 16-10 to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
The Colts went into halftime down just 10-0 despite a first half in which Green Bay – which was without starting quarterback Jordan Love due to a knee injury – held a significant advantage in total yards (262-80) and time of possession (23:05 to 6:55). Running back Josh Jacobs accounted for most of that damage, with the veteran running back churning out 128 yards on 20 carries (6.4 yards/attempt) in the first half.
The Packers had over 100 rushing yards a little over nine minutes into the first quarter, and in the first 15 minutes Green Bay rushed for 164 yards on 20 carries. Those 164 rushing yards were the most any team has had in the first quarter of a game since the Denver Broncos had 167 rushing yards in the first quarter of a game in 2011.
Green Bay was consistently able to stay ahead of the chains on first down with their first-half run game. The Packers totaled 16 carries for 137 yards on first down in the first half, with Jacobs carrying 10 times for 72 yards on those plays. Wide receiver Jayden Reed gained 37 yards on two first down rushes as well.
The biggest play of the first half for the Colts came when linebacker Zaire Franklin knocked the ball out of Jacobs’ hands just before the goal line, with defensive end Laiatu Latu recovering the fumble in the end zone. The forced fumble and recovery kept Green Bay’s lead from ballooning to three scores in the first half.
