“The center, Josh Myers, vomited on the football.” Wait, what? Yep, you read that right. In a game full of surprises, this might’ve been the most unexpected. But let’s rewind and dive into the real shocker – the Green Bay Packers didn’t just survive without Jordan Love, they thrived.

In a nail-biting 16-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, the Packers showcased their depth and adaptability. Malik Willis, the quarterback who’d been with the team for a mere three weeks, stepped up to the plate and knocked it out of the park. Willis completed 12 of 14 passes for 122 yards and notched his first NFL touchdown pass. Not too shabby for a guy who, according to Packers coach Matt LaFleur, faced a task that we “can’t appreciate or even comprehend.”

But the real star of the show? Josh Jacobs. The former Raider turned Packer was a one-man wrecking crew, bulldozing his way to 151 yards on 32 carries. As Chris Simms noted on Pro Football Talk, “What a great investment they made in this guy right here—Josh Jacobs. Good job by Brian Gutekunst, the GM, bringing him in.”

The Packers‘ ground game was so dominant, it felt like we’d time-traveled back to the days of Vince Lombardi. They ran the ball on a whopping 53 of their 67 snaps, amassing 261 yards on the ground. As Mike Florio pointed out, “Some teams are capable of winning without their starting quarterback, and the Packers are one of them.”

LaFleur’s play-calling was a masterclass in adaptation. The opening drive featured six runs out of eight plays, with constant pre-snap motion keeping the Colts‘ defense guessing. It was like watching a chess grandmaster systematically dismantle his opponent.

This win isn’t just about one game. It’s a glimpse into the Packers’ future and a reflection of a broader NFL trend. Teams are increasingly relying on versatile playmakers rather than solely on quarterback dominance. As Simms put it, “We need to respect the culture of the Green Bay Packers and the respect for Matt LaFleur, who’s one of the best coaches in football but kind of gets forgotten about all the time.”

Lessons from Malik Willis and Jacobs

When looking at future implications for the Packers, what have they learned from this win? Unquestionably, one thing is that a powerful ground attack is of no small importance. Jacobs’ solid footing in the run game allowed Willis looks in passing as well. That is just classic Packers football.

Furthermore, Willis’ steady leadership under tough circumstances is another important point to note. Although he was still relatively new to the team, he did an excellent job at quarterback. As LaFleur admiringly remarked, “This guy got here three weeks ago.” But to see him on the field, one could hardly tell.

The offensive line deserves a standing ovation. They not only paved the way for the run game’s success but also kept Willis clean – he wasn’t sacked once. This kind of protection is crucial for any quarterback, especially one still finding his footing in a new system.

Finally, the defense rose to meet the moment when it mattered most. They stripped Anthony Richardson of the Colts three times and held strong in critical moments. As Simms puts it, “Green Bay’s got a pretty good offensive line. They keep you off-kilter with some reverses and speed sweeps.”

With that kind of balanced team effort, now they’re one step closer to realizing the dream. Fortune favors the Packers–they’ve got more talent and better coaching than any other team in Green Bay history. In Florio’s words: “Any game they can win without Jordan Love, that’s money in the bank.”

The Packers’ victory over the Colts wasn’t just a win. It was a statement of intent. There is no longer any doubt that they can compete against the very best teams on even terms and win.