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On Sunday, the Green Bay Packers entered the day at 4-3 and ready to host the Indianapolis Colts, who were reeling after losing at home to Kansas City the week before.
The Packers looked shell shocked in this game - they gave up a return touchdown on the game's opening kickoff and were listless through the rest of the game on both sides of the football. Aaron Rodgers had another subpar performance through three plus quarters, and ultimately an 18-point deficit was too much to overcome as the Packers fell by the score of 31-26. Green Bay got a pair of late scores in the fourth to make it interesting, but they needed one stop from their defense, who could not deliver.
FIRST HALF
The Packers got off to a really tough start as Jordan Todman took the opening kickoff back 99 yards for a touchdown on the game's first play. The Packers were able to respond with a field goal, but there was evidence of the “bad Packer offense” all over the place as the Colts’ man-to-man defense stifled the passing game and made Rodgers look like the indecisive quarterback we have seen far too much until very recently.
While the Packers were putting up 3s the Colts added another touchdown on the back of ageless wonder Frank Gore, and managed to force a 3-and out from Green Bay, but a nice interception by Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (his second in the first half) set the Packers up with nice field position, and a few backyard plays from Rodgers resulted in a ridiculous 26-yard TD pass (on a free play due to a defensive off-sides penalty) that probably should have been picked.
However, as the 2nd quarter began momentum turned yet again as Todman brought the kickoff out to the Green Bay 45, but the defense was able to hold them to an Adam Vinatieri field goal extending the Colts' lead to 17-10. The Packers then went 3 and out on three straight plays.
Clinton-Dix struck again on the next series, sacking Andrew Luck on third down and forcing a punt. However, the Packers did nothing on offense and turned the ball over to the Colts on a punt inside Indianapolis' 5 yard line. The Colts ddrive 94 yards late in the first half, culminating in a touchdown to Donte Moncrief that made the score 24-10.
SECOND HALF
On the Packers' first drive of the second half, they turned the ball over for the first time in the game. Aaron Rodgers led a decent drive down to the Colts' 30, but on third and 11 he was intercepted by Darius Butler on a pass intended for Davante Adams.
The Packers' defense held against Luck and company on the next series, and Rodgers led another field goal drive to pull the Packers to 24-13.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, a big sack by Morgan Burnett on third down of the ensuing series forced a punt. The Packers got a break on the punt, as they were called for a roughing the kicker penalty but the penalty was offset by holding on the Colts. The next punt went into the end zone for a touchback.
The Packers were forced to punt once again, and Luck connected with Moncrief on a big gain on the first play of the series to get into Packers territory. Frank Gore later pounded into the end zone for another touchdown, making the score 31-13.
The Packers finally moved the ball well on the next drive, thanks to a personal foul penalty on Vontae Davis and a big catch and run for Adams. Adams cashed in with a touchdown from two yards out to make the score 31-19, and a two point conversion attempt was incomplete.
The Packers forced a quick three and out though, getting the ball back to the offense with 5:28 to go. Rodgers led another quick drive, with big plays by Ty Montgomery and Rodgers himself on the ground picking up big chunks of yardage. Rodgers then found Randall Cobb in the back of the end zone for another score, pulling Green Bay back within a touchdown at 31-26 after the PAT with just 3:29 left.
The Packers kicked it away, and had a chance to take the ball back. However, Andrew Luck slipped out of a sack on third down and was able to move the chains and kill the rest of the clock.