The Malik Willis era begins for the Green Bay Packers in Week 2 when they host the Indianapolis Colts at Lambeau Field.
Willis will start in place of franchise quarterback Jordan Love, who sprained his medial collateral ligament at the end of the Packers’ Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil. Willis, who started three games for the Tennessee Titans in 2022, has never thrown an NFL touchdown and has a 1-2 record as a starter.
The Colts are also 0-1, but fought valiantly in their 29-27 home loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday. Indianapolis allowed 417 total yards of offense, but quarterback Anthony Richardson kept his team afloat with three total touchdowns and nearly beat CJ Stroud.
Both teams are underdogs when it comes to the playoffs this year, as Green Bay has +172 odds to make the postseason while Indianapolis has +198 odds to make the playoffs. FanDuel Sports Betting. A 0-2 start will further reduce the chances of the team that loses on Sunday, making the game important for both sides.
If you want to bet on this game at our favorite NFL Betting Sitesread on to find out our predictions and best bets.
Game details
- Comparison: Indianapolis Colts vs. Green Bay Packers
- Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024 (Week 2)
- Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Lambeau Field (Green Bay, Wisconsin)
- Regard: FOX
Odds overview
Quotas of FanDuel Sports Betting and are subject to change.
Colts vs Packers Moneyline
Love’s injury will get all the attention (and rightly so) as the Packers’ offense will need to regroup immediately, and their defense will also need to recover after giving up 34 points and 410 yards last week.
Willis will likely lead a run-first attack, as he has done so in his three stints as Ryan Tannehill’s backup with the Titans. Green Bay was also dominant on the ground last week with 163 rushing yards, including 84 from Josh Jacobs.
The Colts’ defense will also need to step up after struggling to get off the field last week. Houston ran 76 plays in its two-point win and used its running game to buy time, racking up 213 rushing yards and keeping the ball out of Richardson’s hands.
This game could come down to which quarterback is the last one on the field or avoids a devastating mistake. Green Bay has a two-day rest advantage over Indianapolis, so we like the Home team causes a small surprise.
Colts vs. Packers Spread
If you are not sure if the Packers will win without Love, get them at +3 on the distribution should be more tempting.
The Green Bay Packers defense struggled with difficult field conditions last week and faces a tough opponent this week against the Colts’ potent offense. Yet the Packers have remained within three points of their opponents in 10 of their last 13 games.
Love is obviously a big reason for this trend, and he is a far better quarterback than Willis. Still, Willis is 1-1-1 as a starter against a three-point spread.
As long as Green Bay’s defense is good enough, Willis is competent enough to keep his team within a field goal at home.
Colts vs. Packers overall
Given last week’s results, that total is shockingly low, as both teams combined to score 56 points and allow 63.
Even accounting for Love’s absence, there’s still plenty of offensive talent on both sides. Richardson has a good supporting cast in Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman Jr., while weapons like Jacobs and Jayden Reed should help Willis in his first start in two years.
Both teams can run the ball and should score a good number of points. The total score of 40.5 is a low hurdle, so take the over.
Colts vs. Packers Props
Anthony Richardson anytime touchdown (+140)
The Prop bet was a hit for us last week, so we’ll continue to recommend it until Richardson gives us a reason not to.
Following last week’s result, Richardson has now scored a rushing touchdown in all five games of his career. While his passing ability is still questionable (career success rate 57.3%), his legs are the most reliable part of his game.
Given Green Bay’s struggles against Saquon Barkley last week and Richardson’s significant number of runs (6.2 per game), keep pushing him to score points, especially at Plus odds.
Josh Jacobs over 66.5 rushing yards (-110)
With Love out, the Packers will likely rely heavily on Jacobs this week, especially after he rushed for 84 yards on 16 carries in Week 1.
Jacobs should have fresh legs after two extra days of rest, making him even more dangerous against a team that allowed a league-high 213 rushing yards last week. Jacobs will have a celebration in his first home game in Lambeau.
Summary of the best bets for Colts vs. Packers
- Moneyline: Packers (+132). The Colts are tough, but can you trust them to play on the road and win a game? Willis could surprise Indy, and Jacobs should have a field day in a surprise Green Bay Packers win.
- Spread: Packers +3 (-120). The Packers lost by just five points last week to arguably the best team in the NFC. Willis may not be Love, but he’s good enough to limit Green Bay to a field goal at home.
- Total: Over 40.5 (-115). Even without Love, there should be plenty of points in this game. Both offenses were excellent in Week 1 (56 points combined) while both defenses were terrible (63 points allowed), and that low total gives us plenty of room to play.
- Prop 1: Anthony Richardson anytime touchdown (+140). The young quarterback has scored a touchdown in all five games of his career, and in a favorable matchup this week, that streak could grow to six.
- Prop 2: Josh Jacobs over 66.5 rushing yards (-110). Indianapolis allowed 159 rushing yards to Joe Mixon last week, setting up Jacobs (84 rushing yards in Week 1) for a big game.
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
