Packers 34, Colts 14: An Unexpected Whipping for the Pack

Quick: Who had "Packers by 20" for this one?

Yeah, me neither.

In fact, "Colts by 20" seemed like a much more likely option.

But I guess the Packers may have heard a few too many lines this week about their status as a home dog, or their two straight losses at Lambeau Field. Head coach Mike McCarthy has really emphasized winning at home since he got the job, and the results have been pretty good to this point. It made sense that a prideful bunch would step up their game in what was close to a national spotlight, with a large part of the country getting Sunday's game on CBS.

Or maybe the Packers are just pissed about the latest Favre story.

No matter the reason, the Packers played an inspired game today. The offensive game plan was pretty obvious. Green Bay wanted to control the ball and keep Peyton Manning from attacking the Packers' banged-up defense.

As we would find out, the ball-control thing worked well, but the Green Bay defense was the story of the day.

Manning was harassed all day. Even though he wasn't sacked once, the Packers did a good job pressuring him into poor throws. The secondary was smart and physical with the Colts' receivers, holding Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne to a combined four catches for 35 yards. They also picked Manning twice, returning both for touchdowns.

Of the two, a third-quarter pick-six by Nick Collins was probably the most damaging. You could argue that the Colts took some momentum into halftime, as Mason Crosby missed a 37-yard field goal to keep the score 17-7. Green Bay had dominated the first half, holding the ball for some 20 minutes, but they had only a ten-point lead to show for it, and Indianapolis was due to get the ball in the second half.

Instead of taking advantage, Manning misfired a bit on a throw to an open Wayne. The ball was tipped in the air, Collins ran under it, and he eluded pretty much the entire Colts offense on his way to the end zone.

Later, with the score 27-7, Manning thought he had found Anthony Gonzalez for a short touchdown. Instead, he found safety Aaron Rouse for a 98-yard score the other way.

Aaron Rodgers was solid, completing 16 of 19 passes in the first half and avoiding any sacks or turnovers during the game. Manning hit just 21 of 42 passes, with more than a few completions coming in garbage time.

Ryan Grant topped 100 yards and scored once, and Donald Lee caught a touchdown pass for Green Bay. Colts tight end Dallas Clark caught eight passes, but was held out of the end zone. Dominic Rhodes ran for both Indianapolis touchdowns.

The win puts Green Bay (4-3) in a tie for first in the NFC North with the Bears. Indianapolis falls to 3-3, and they now face a likely must-win at Tennessee (6-0) next Monday.

NBC's Keith Olbermann probably said it best.

"If Brett Favre told the Colts stuff, it's not working."

Either that, or maybe Favre should have helped Manning deal with the Packers' defense.