The Green Bay Packers fell to the Indianapolis Colts 26-31 on Sunday. This marks their second straight loss and drops them to 4-4. The Colts came into this matchup as one of the worst defenses in football, and it appeared to be a favorable matchup for the Green Bay offense. While the Packers were able to put up points, they were never able to come back from an early deficit. That may have cost them this game. Here are the Green Bay Packers week nine takeaways.
Green Bay Packers Week Nine Takeaways
Special Teams Falter
The Indianapolis Colts took an early lead and ran with it in this game. They returned the opening kick-off for a touchdown that put them up 7-0 with just seconds ticking off the clock. The Packers coverage on the kick was far from good and may have even cost a player his special teams job. Jermaine Whitehead, a strictly special teams player, was released from the Packers less than 24-hours after the game. He wasn’t completely at fault, but he failed to keep his outside contain and took out his own player, opening a huge hole.
The Packers kicker Mason Crosby also missed a 48-yard field goal in the first quarter of the game. This was just three plays after the Packers intercepted Andrew Luck on the Colts side of the field. The field goal would have put the Packers within a point of the Colts early in the game. The failed attempt would result in a seven-play drive that resulted in a touchdown for the Colts.
Ty Montgomery Plays Well
Ty Montgomery came off a missed game in week eight due to a kidney issue worsened by a Sickle Cell trait. He would return to his hybrid role against the Colts and play well out of the backfield. Montgomery is filling in for James Starks and Eddie Lacy while they are out with injuries, playing partially as a running back and a receiver. Montgomery caught three passes on three targets for 38 yards. He also carried the ball seven times for 53 yards. Montgomery showed that he can be a viable option when given carries.
He may not get a good chance for a bigger workload, as Starks could return in week 10. Starks will get the majority of the carries if, and when, he returns. This is a bit of sad news for Montgomery fans. He is a very talented player and seemed to be deserving of a bigger opportunity carrying the ball. He was a dual threat for Aaron Rodgers as he could run the ball and catch out of the backfield. It seems his time rushing the ball will soon be over.
Week 10
The Packers hit the road and take on the Tennessee Titans in week 10. They are currently sitting in third place in the NFC North and need a big win to turn themselves around. If the Packers now have three straight road games, all against tough opponents. If they want to have a chance at a playoff spot this year they need to set the tone of their second half of the season next week.
