NFL Preseason Week 2 is here. It’s another chance for these teams to tune up, settle camp battles, and assess the quality of their rosters. Both the Indianapolis Colts and the Green Bay Packers will relish the opportunity.
The Colts are -6 favorites at home in this game on DraftKings Sportsbook. Indianapolis is a -265 favorite on the Moneyline with the total set at 40.5 points. Let’s get into a preview, prediction and pick for this Colts-Packers game.
Colts vs. Packers preview, prediction
Indianapolis Colts
All eyes in Indianapolis are on the quarterback battle. There was concern that Anthony Richardson’s finger injury in Preseason Week 1 would muddy the showdown between him and Daniel Jones. Luckily for Richardson and the Colts, he returned swiftly and made big-time throws all week in joint practices with the Pack.
The plan is for Jones to start and play the majority of the first half before giving way to Richardson, the opposite of how Week 1 played out. A huge performance one way or the other could force head coach Shane Steichen to make a call before Week 3 of this exhibition schedule. In all likelihood, this could decide the favorite for the job, but they’ll let Week 3 decide things for good.
Week 2 is a chance for Tyler Warren to show more of his talents. The rookie tight end showed good rapport with Daniel Jones and may be positioning himself awfully high in the pecking order for targets. Another good showing could solidify him as the No. 2 passing game option behind Michael Pittman Jr.
Keep an eye on wide receiver Adonai Mitchell as well. Camp reports indicate he’s been the most explosive receiver of their group, and Saturday is a chance for it to pop on game tape.
Elsewhere, they have a cornerback battle coming down to the wire. The second spot on the outside behind Charvarius Ward is wide open with presumptive favorite Julius Brents injured yet again. Johnathan Edwards and Samuel Womack III are names to monitor, as they should get extended run with the first unit.
Packers Overview
The Packers have a different kind of quarterback issue. Jordan Love injured his non-throwing thumb and underwent a surgery that will keep him out for the remainder of NFL Preseason. That leaves things open for Malik Willis to start with camp arms Taylor Elgersma and Sean Clifford to back him up. It was an uninspiring group last week against the Jets, to say the least.
Green Bay opted to rest most of the presumed starting skill position players on offense. It left their depth running backs and receivers to duke it out, with UDFA RB Amar Johnson making the biggest impression.
It’s unclear if the starters will get more run, but with Love unable to play, there’s less incentive to figure it out now. The receiver battle is one they can settle during the early part of the regular season without sacrificing the quality of the team. Head coach Matt LaFleur isn’t in a rush to see what his talented group of pass catchers can do.
The defensive snaps bear watching. With Jaire Alexander gone, they have a new hierarchy to settle at cornerback. There’s a linebacker spot next to Quay Walker to be settled as well. It’s not the most eye-catching stuff, but for a team with Super Bowl hopes, these battles could be critical.
Colts vs. Packers pick, best bet
The gap at quarterback is hard to ignore. Malik Willis is a below-average passer who needs to cook with his legs to keep the chains moving. The guys fighting for QB3 didn’t show the necessary stuff to hang with NFL players in the first game. That gives a massive boost to the Colts.
Richardson and Jones are mistake-prone, but top to bottom, their play under center is superior as long as Love is sidelined. That overcomes the gap in quality elsewhere on the roster. It makes Indianapolis a smash spot at their -6 line in this Colts-Packers matchup.
