It’s the Packers (7-2) and the Colts (6-3) in a Sunday afternoon thriller in Indy. This game is between two teams who are vying for playoff positioning in their respective conferences. The game was originally scheduled for a Noon kick off but the NFL flexed it to a 3:25 PM kick, making it a the must watch game of the week.

Packers at Colts

  • Where: Indianapolis, Indiana
  • When: Sunday, November, 22, 2020
  • Time: 3:25 PM CT
  • TV: Fox
  • Commentators: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
  • Spread: Colts -2.5

3 Things to Watch

Running Game vs Colts Run Defense

Everything that the Packers do on offense is based of the run. Matt Lafleur and Aaron Rodgers run offensive sets where a run play and pass play look the same pre-snap to allow for Rodgers to change to either a run or a pass. The run sets up the pass in the Packers offense. If they can get the run game rolling, it will loosen up the Colts stingy defense. Running the ball will be tough, as the Colts are allowing 3.5 yards a carry this season. When the Packers offense has struggled it is because they do not necessarily run the ball effectively. For the Packers to return home with a win, they will have to run the ball effectively.

Packers Run Defense

We talked about how important it will be for the Packers to run the ball offensively, it is going to be just as important for them to stop the run. The Colts drafted former Wisconsin Badgers running back Jonathan Taylor, which Packers fans should remember fondly. Taylor has been the Colts starting running back every game this season. Unfortunately for Taylor, his carries has dropped recently as the Colts have gotten Nyheim Hines more involved. The Colts running game isn’t exactly lighting up the scoreboard, as they are averaging 3.7 yards per carry. But what makes it scary, is that Hines is being used similar to how the Saints use Alvin Kamara. He is explosive out of the backfield and lined up wide. The Packers linebackers are going to need to do a much better job of tackling if they want to slow him down and force the Colts to be one-dimensional. When the Packers have lost, they have gotten beat by running backs.

Special Teams

The Colts have one of the leagues best special teams units. Their kickoff returner Isaiah Rodgers has a 101-yard touchdown and Hines has averaged 8.9 yards per punt return. Meanwhile, the Packers special teams units have given up some big plays in two of their last four games. Plus, the Packers punter JK Scott is struggling this season as he is third-from-last in net average. This does not bode well for the Packers. It is critical that they team contains the Colts return games. We all know that special teams can change momentum, and in a game that should be a hard fought game, special teams could make all the deference.

Final Analysis

This should be a thrilling mid-season game. I am glad that the NFL flexed this game, it means that both teams are playing well, in playoff of contention and the NFL is expecting a good game. This is going to be a hard fought game and the Packers are going to have to be at their best to came out victorious. Expect it to be a challenge from the start and to come down to a field goal at the end.

Go Pack Go!

Anthony Haag is a writer for PackersTalk.com. He has been a Packers fan since the day he was born and truly bleeds green and gold. He makes annual visits to Lambeau Field and has attended his fair share of games. You can follow Anthony on Twitter at @anthony_haag