Packers strike first against Colts on Robert Tonyan touchdown

The Indianapolis Colts’ defense was supposed to be the biggest challenge for the Green Bay Packers over the second half of the season. It’s early, but so far the edge goes to Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense.

Following a big gain off play action to Davante Adams on the first play of the game, the two teams traded fumbles on their first possessions. Corey Linsley snapped the football into his own rear end and Darius Leonard fell on the football for a turnover. But the Packers’ defense took the ball back on the next series, as Raven Greene pulled off a picture-perfect Peanut Tillman punch on the football, forcing Mo Alie-Cox to fumble as Darnell Savage recovered.

That set up the Packers at midfield, and Rodgers would convert quickly. With Matt LaFleur dialing up play-action early and often, Rodgers would find Robert Tonyan for a 25-yard touchdown to open up the scoring, giving the Packers an early lead:

Watch the route combination with the Packers’ tight ends on the right side of the offense, as Jace Sternberger runs a corner from the inside while Tonyan goes to the post from just outside. The play diagram from NFL Next Gen Stats shows how the Colts’ defense failed to cover these two players, leaving Tonyan wide open:

The Packers’ defense would fail to stop Indianapolis on their next series, however, giving up a 45-yard touchdown to Michael Pittman, Jr. to tie the score at 7. Keep it here at APC for more updates.