Green Bay Packers would like for the rest of the NFL season to look like the first half of the Colts game. It appeared that Green Bay might put 40+ points on one of the best defenses in the league, and the hype around the Packers would finally begin. But again, Green Bay let the haters walk through the backdoor and start the noise about Green Bay not being there as a football team. But the first half is why I think Green Bay was in a less than downtrodden mood after the game. This is the type of opponent that typically leads to a blowout loss under LaFleur and it didn’t happen. All Green Bay needed was one score in the second half. It didn’t happen and they lost.

FIVE STARS
Packers first-half offense – Man, it was cooking for Green Bay. Part of me wonders if the Packers got a chance to double-up, would they have blown out Indianapolis? Maybe. Green Bay had all the momentum on offense. Aaron Rodgers did whatever he wanted to that defense. With how Chicago plays next week, it gives me a lot of confidence going into that game. Packers are starting to figure out how to deal with blitz-heavy teams by getting Rodgers in space and using play action.

FOUR STARS
Jon Runyan Jr – Brian Gutekunst knows offensive linemen. The dude is just good at it. It appears that Jon Runyan Jr is his latest gem. Corey Linsley goes out with a back injury and instead of shifting Billy Turner instead, they go with Runyan Jr. at left guard. He did a great job against one of the best defenses in football. That is a huge win for Green Bay and their future state of the offensive line. If Linsley can’t go next week, expect Runyan Jr. to get his first start.

THREE STARS
Marquez Valdes-Scantling – Let’s talk about MVS. Last year, I said Kevin King is the prototypical three-star guy. He does some great things and then he does some head-scratching things. MVS might take the cake. If not for his speed, the Packers do not get to overtime. If not for his fumble, Green Bay might have won the game. He is maddening, but the potential is there. You see it. You have to ingest the bad with the good running alongside it. The important thing is that this doesn’t stick with MVS. Don’t be surprised if Aaron Rodgers tries to get him involved early next Sunday.

TWO STARS
Contain, contain, contain – This might be more of a one-star thing, but the Packers have to be better about contain with their EDGE rushers. Preston Smith gets sucked in every time and teams take advantage of it at least twice a game. Za’Darius Smith also gets suckered in too. They have to understand that teams are playing for this and expecting them not to keep the edge. It’s been bad all year and neither player seems like they want to fix it.

ONE STAR
Mike Pettine’s soft zones – This has got to stop, man. How many teams does it have to take for this soft zone to get exposed? How many? They’re giving up way too much cushion and allowing teams to pick up huge chunks. This team is not built for whatever Pettine is trying to do here. It’s completely maddening and let’s hope this is finally a wake-up call for him.

Charlie.