Head Coach Matt LaFleur also dialed up a few designed QB draws for Willis, who contributed 41 yards on six carries. All the ground production aided the Packers in staying in front of the sticks and converting 10 third downs.
“It was definitely huge because obviously he’s only been here two weeks,” said Jacobs of Willis. “He did really good with what was asked of him, but we knew we had to come in and run the ball today. We knew we had to set that tone.”
Reed played a hand in that, too, whether it was motioning in the backfield or lining up as a running back alongside Jacobs in the two-RB “Pony” package. He busted a 22-yard run to key Green Bay’s only touchdown-scoring drive.
The Packers posted eight explosive runs (12-plus yards) in the first half, the most by an NFL team in a first half since New England recorded eight vs. Buffalo on Dec. 23, 2018.
“We just came in with the mindset that we were going to have to run the ball to win the game,” left guard Elgton Jenkins said. “I feel like we did that. I feel like we really left some yards out on the field. We were trying to go for 3(00) or 400 but it didn’t happen. Big ups to them, for sure, though. We came in with the right mindset to get the job done.”
The Colts clamped down better against the run in the second half, but the fast start on the ground helped Willis find his rhythm as a passer.
After completing five passes for 24 yards in the first half, the third-year QB completed 8-of-9 passes for 98 yards during the final two quarters to help the Packers seal the win.
Losing Lloyd late to an ankle injury, Jacobs carried the ball from start to finish. His 32 rushes were just one shy of his career high in Las Vegas. Jacobs said he felt fine afterwards, though he admittedly was ready to hit the ice tub.
“I feel like I could play another half,” Jacobs said. “It was hot, especially in warm-ups, but body-wise, I feel good, man. I told ’em, I don’t think I’ve ever had a game where I came out kind of like this clean. So, I feel good.”