The Green Bay Packers pulled off a thrilling escape at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 2 of the preseason, even though it wasn’t without its hiccups. After resting 29 key players, the Packers found themselves in a 13-0 hole against the Indianapolis Colts at halftime. It wasn’t exactly a dream start, but credit to the squad for showing some grit. The second half told a very different story. A late touchdown drive orchestrated by Sean Clifford capped off a comeback that gave the Packers a 23-19 win, showing there’s some life in this team even with so many starters on the bench.
Looking back at the game, it was a classic case of preseason evaluation: flashes of brilliance mixed with glaring mistakes. Let’s break down the studs and duds coming out of this matchup.
Studs of the Game
LT Jordan Morgan has quietly been one of the Packers’ shining stars this preseason. Tasked with protecting the blind side against starting-caliber pass rushers, Morgan has been a revelation. The left tackle looked smooth and confident, moving with ease and not allowing a single pressure this preseason. His work against Colts defensive end Laitau Latu was particularly encouraging—flawless technique and strong awareness in both pass protection and run blocking. For a player who has quietly flown under the radar, Morgan is beginning to carve out a legitimate case for more playing time once the starters return.
LB Ty’Ron Hopper made one of the most eye-catching plays in the first half, showing why the Packers are excited about his development. On a key run play, Hopper beat a reach block from the right guard, flowed perfectly down the line, and stuffed the running back for a loss. Hopper’s consistency has been impressive: he’s looked assignment-sure against both the run and in coverage over two preseason games. For a second-year linebacker, he’s starting to look like he belongs on the field with confidence and instincts that make a difference.
WR Julian Hicks was electric, though a few penalties kept him from getting full credit on the box score. The wideout pulled in a jaw-dropping 31-yard sideline catch and followed it up with a 14-yard first-down conversion, though it was nullified due to penalties. Later, Hicks came up clutch with a contested catch to move the chains. The takeaway? Hicks is a legit playmaker, and when he can keep his discipline in check, he could be a real weapon in the Packers’ receiving corps.
P Daniel Whelan quietly dominated the field position battle. All three of his punts landed inside the 20-yard line, with the only return being a mere three yards. His 59-yard boot flipped the field entirely, pinning the Colts deep in their own territory. The numbers are impressive, but the bigger picture shows a punter who can control the field and make opponents think twice about starting near midfield.
CB Micah Robinson didn’t need to show off coverage skills to impress. The rookie wasn’t targeted all game but made his presence felt on special teams, assisting on two tackles while covering kicks and punts. While it’s early, Robinson is proving he can contribute immediately, especially in the often-overlooked phase of the game.
RB Amar Johnson put together a performance that could earn him more snaps down the line. Johnson bulldozed through multiple defenders for a 9-yard touchdown run, hauled in an 11-yard pass, and handled his pass-blocking assignments with aplomb. If you’re looking for reliability and toughness in the backfield, Johnson made a strong statement that he deserves a closer look.
Duds of the Game
Not every performance was encouraging, though. RT Anthony Belton had a rough night that was tough to watch. He racked up five penalties in the first half alone, four of which were totally avoidable: a false start, two illegal formation penalties, and a 15-yard unnecessary roughness call for a late hit from behind. On top of that, Belton allowed five pressures in pass protection, making it a night to forget. The flashes of talent are there, but consistency was missing for the 24-year-old second-rounder, who needs to clean things up fast if he hopes to see significant snaps in the regular season.
LB Isaiah Simmons continues to struggle with reliability, which explains why a former top-10 pick was still available deep into free agency. While his size and speed are undeniable, Simmons has consistently been out of position. He misread a boot action on the very first series, gave up a big completion, and got roasted by rookie Tyler Warren in coverage. Mistimed reactions in zone, getting pancaked at the point of attack by Quenton Nelson, missing tackles in the hole, and failing to finish on special teams all added up. Simmons has seen a team-high 88 defensive snaps this preseason, but it’s still unclear if he’ll click in time to make an impact.
LG Donovan Jennings struggled when matched against Colts starters, giving up three pressures, including a crucial quarterback hit on third down. His holding penalty wiped out a big gain by Julian Hicks, further highlighting his difficulties against starting-caliber defenders. Jennings evened things out against backups, but as a starter at left guard, this was a missed chance to prove he could handle tougher competition.
RB Emanuel Wilson showed flashes of talent, most notably a 32-yard reception that turned heads. But the play was marred by a lost fumble and a blown assignment in pass protection that led to a sack. For a young player competing behind Josh Jacobs, consistency is key, and Wilson needs to be more reliable to earn meaningful touches in the regular season.
K Mark McNamee had an international rookie’s baptism by fire, missing both a 39-yard field goal and an extra point. While preseason struggles are often forgiven, McNamee will need to find his footing quickly if he hopes to handle kicking duties for the Packers this year.
Key Takeaways
The Packers’ Week 2 victory may have come against a less-than-starter-heavy Colts lineup, but it offered a goldmine of insights into who’s stepping up and who’s still searching for form. Players like Morgan, Hopper, Hicks, Whelan, Robinson, and Johnson are building momentum, while Belton, Simmons, Jennings, Wilson, and McNamee have clear areas for improvement.
Another standout point? Depth is starting to show. With 29 players resting, the Packers relied on the next wave of contributors, and several rose to the occasion. The late touchdown drive by Clifford was a perfect example: even without a full complement of starters, the Packers executed when it mattered most.
From a fan’s perspective, the game was a rollercoaster. First-half struggles were offset by second-half heroics, leaving plenty of hope that this team can weather adversity and develop its younger talent. Preseason is all about evaluation, and Green Bay got plenty of data to work with. Some players confirmed their potential, some raised questions, and the coaching staff now has a clearer map of who might earn a roster spot and who still has work to do.
Bottom Line
Green Bay’s 23-19 win over the Colts was more than just a preseason scoreboard check—it was a showcase of talent, potential, and areas that need fine-tuning. The studs are flashing promise, the duds need to get back on track, and the overall takeaway is that the Packers’ depth is being tested and, in some cases, validated.
If the team can clean up the penalties, tighten coverage, and get the young backs and linemen to consistently perform under pressure, this could be a preseason well-spent. For now, the Packers have a mix of excitement and caution, a blueprint of who’s ready to contribute, and a long way to go before Week 1 of the regular season.
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