NFL Week 2 picks, predictions for Colts vs. Packers: What Green Bay's QB situation means

The Indianapolis Colts head into Lambeau Field to play the Green Bay Packers in NFL Week 2 action, and the script has flipped.

The Packers had been favored in this matchup, but with a knee injury almost certainly knocking quarterback Jordan Love out of this matchup, the Colts are now road favorites .

The Colts have injury questions on defense, while Green Bay quarterback Malik Willis will make his first start since his rookie season in Tennessee.

Know the foe: Packers scouting report vs Colts in Week 2

Colts vs Packers picks, predictions for NFL Week 2

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports : Colts 23-20

This will be Malik Willis for the Packers with Jordan Love out. That's a real challenge for Matt LaFleur and the coaching staff. The Colts hit some big plays on offense against the Texans, but gave up a bunch. The Packers will rally around their new quarterback, but it won't be enough. Colts get a road victory.

Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times : Colts 24-20

Lots of people are excited about Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, mostly because of his flashy plays, but he was 9 for 19. Packers will run it well, but Jordan Love being out makes all the difference.

Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk : Packers 17-13

Even without Jordan Love, the Packers are good enough to hold serve against a team that rarely sees Lambeau Field.

Greg Cote, Miami Herald : Packers 16-13

”AAWWK!” touts the Upset Bird. “Green Bay Paaawwwk!” Love is lost. But hope remains. Pack QB Jordan Love is expected to miss a month or so with his knee sprain, but I expect a rallying effect in Gee Bees’ home opener, with a big defensive effort and heavy lifting by RB Josh Jacobs, who has been slowed by a minor back ailment but should play. Pack will try to insulate fill-in QB Malik Willis, who has only been with the club a month. (They should sign veteran free agent Ryan Tannehill, it says here.) As is, though, Pack was 3-1 covering as a home dog last year, is rested after playing last Friday, and will get Jacobs going against a mediocre Colts run D. “Lambeau magic,” notes U-Bird. “Lambaaawwwk!”

Ali Bhanpuri, NFL.com : Colts win

Malik Willis is 1-2 as a pro with a 0:3 TD-to-INT ratio and 52.2 completion percentage. He's been sacked 15 times on just 94 dropbacks, including on one of his two snaps last week in Brazil. Willis' 16 percent sack rate is the highest of any quarterback with at least 90 dropbacks since 2018, per Next Gen Stats. As good of a coach as Matt LaFleur is, three weeks is just not enough time to work magic with Malik. Expect a classic Josh Jacobs bell-cow effort on Sunday, with a healthy amount of WR sweeps/quick-hitters mixed in, as well. Ultimately, I think the Anthony Richardson roller-coaster ride provides more peaks than valleys and the Colts' D-line applies too much pressure, pinning the Packers at 0-2.

Bill Bender, Sporting News : Colts 20-17

This line shifted dramatically because of the Jordan Love injury, and Malik Willis will favor a low-risk passing attack in his first start for the Packers. Anthony Richardson had 212 passing yards on just nine completions last week, so the Packers will have to stop the big plays. Brandon Jacobs and Jonathan Taylor also will have success. Green Bay falls to 0-2, but this one will be close.

Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report : Colts 23-20

Expect the Colts to load the box against the run and play better in that area than they did against the Texans.

Blake Schuster, For The Win : Packers win

I’ve seen this movie too many times. Green Bay will make Malik Willis look like Bart Starr and we’ll all wonder why the Packers were ever home dogs.

Jack Daugherty, Yardbarker : Colts 21-16

If Willis ends up starting this game, you should explore every avenue to fade him. The former third-round pick has no touchdowns, three interceptions and a 13.3 QBR in his career. He can't hack it in this league.

Matt Modi, Newsweek : Colts win

Assuming that Malik Willis plays in this game, the Colts could win by 21-plus. Not only has Willis not shown the ability to be a functional NFL QB, but he also joined the Packers late in training camp.

When do the Colts play in Week 2?

1 p.m. ET Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.

What channel are the Colts on against the Packers?

TV : Fox, Joe Davis (play-by-play), Greg Olsen (analysis) and Pam Oliver (sideline reporting)

Radio : 93.5, 97.1, 107.5 FM in Indianapolis, with Matt Taylor (play-by-play), Rick Venturi (analysis) and Larra Overton (sideline reporting)

Streaming : SiriusXM Channels 384, 813, Fubo (free trial)

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: NFL Week 2 picks, predictions for Colts vs. Packers: What Green Bay's QB situation means