Next Game’s Revealing Stat: Colts’ First-Half Scoring

Halfway through the regular season, the Indianapolis Colts sport a disappointing record of three wins and five losses. Along the way, they have proven to be a slow-starting team, and one that is seldom able to come back from an early-game deficit.

In their five losses, the Colts have trailed by seven or more point at the half four out of five times. The only second-half comeback of sorts the Colts have managed was to go from a 13-13 halftime tie against the Chargers to a 26-22 win. They have yet to score more than 13 points in any first half this year.

Numerous other aspects of the two teams’ seasons to date also bode well for the Green Bay Packers.

• Indianapolis does not play well away from home – they sport a 1-3 road record on the year.
• The Packers’ troubled passing attack is on the mend – Aaron Rodgers had perhaps his best passing game of the year last week: 73.7 completion percentage, 125.5 passer rating, 32 points scored.
• Indianapolis is limping into its bye week, which follows this week’s game. They were without three starters on Sunday, plus cornerback Vontae Davis, tackle Joe Reitz, and receivers T.Y. Hilton and Phillip Dorsett were injured in that game.
• The Packers passed well last week even without Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery, who could be back for this game.
• Indianapolis has yet to beat a team with a winning record this year.
• Indianapolis is coming off their worst loss of the season – a 16-point home loss to the Chiefs.

Based on the Colts’ previous games, if the Packers come out on fire at Lambeau Field this weekend, they should be able to establish a lead that the Colts are unlikely to overcome. By all means, the Packers should elect to receive the ball if they win the pre-game coin toss.