GREEN BAY – The custom gloves said it all.
Every game, Josh Jacobs sends his request in to Nike with the same inscription written inside: "Who" inside the left hand and "Cares" inside the right.
The words may have never held more meaning than Sunday, as the Packers and their All-Pro running back ventured into a home opener without their starting quarterback for the first time in more than 30 years.
"You've got to put your head down and get results, and that's what this business is," Jacobs said. "Make it happen. Who cares that the odds are against you, that you don't got your starting quarterback? Just make it happen."
Jacobs and the Packers' offense did. Playing without Jordan Love, the Packers installed a run-heavy gameplan that yielded historic results during a methodical 16-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts during an unseasonably hot 85-degree afternoon at Lambeau Field.
Green Bay overcame the elements to rush for 261 yards, its highest rushing total in a game since posting 262 against Denver on Dec. 28, 2003. The Packers' 53 rushing attempts were their most in a game since 1978.
With Malik Willis starting at quarterback just 19 days after arriving in Green Bay, everyone with a "G" on his helmet was prepared to do everything it took to build a winnable gameplan.
"Coach LaFleur told us at the beginning of the week, 'Man, get your blocking gloves on,'" receiver Jayden Reed said. "This was a blocking game for us. We went out there, we did our job, we did what we had to do. '8' (Jacobs) had a great day today, so kudos to the O-line, as well."
Individually, Jacobs led the way with 151 rushing yards and it started straightaway during a decisive first quarter for Green Bay, which staked itself to an 10-0 lead after imposing its will on the Colts' defensive front.
A week after Indianapolis conceded a league-high 213 rushing yards against Houston, the Packers opened with 164 rushing yards in the first quarter alone.
That was the most rushing yards Green Bay had posted in any quarter since it rushed for 166 yards in the third quarter at the St. Louis Cardinals on Sept. 29, 1985 (Elias Sports Bureau). The last NFL team to rush for that many yards in the first quarter of a game was the Denver Broncos (167 yards on Dec. 18, 2011).
Jacobs had one gaffe, fumbling near the goal line in the second quarter, but otherwise was a bulldozer in amassing 128 of his 151 rushing yards in the first two quarters. It was the most rushing yards by a Packers player in a first half since Ahman Green (133) in 2001.
"Unbelievable. Unbelievable," center Josh Myers said. "I know they said he had 32 rushes for like 150-something. Most of those were up the gut, hard, gritty, grimy runs. Unbelievable job by him. I can't imagine how he must be feeling right now."
It wasn't just Jacobs, either. MarShawn Lloyd and Emanuel Wilson carried the ball 11 times, while receivers Reed (two carries for 37 yards) and Bo Melton (16-yard run) also factored into the ground game.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur also dialed up a few designed QB draws for Willis, who contributed 41 yards on six carries. All the ground production aided the Packers in staying in front of the sticks and converting 10 third downs.
"It was definitely huge because obviously he's only been here two weeks," said Jacobs of Willis. "He did really good with what was asked of him, but we knew we had to come in and run the ball today. We knew we had to set that tone."
Reed played a hand in that, too, whether it was motioning in the backfield or lining up as a running back alongside Jacobs in the two-RB "Pony" package. He busted a 22-yard run to key Green Bay's only touchdown-scoring drive.
The Packers posted eight explosive runs (12-plus yards) in the first half, the most by an NFL team in a first half since New England recorded eight vs. Buffalo on Dec. 23, 2018.
"We just came in with the mindset that we were going to have to run the ball to win the game," left guard Elgton Jenkins said. "I feel like we did that. I feel like we really left some yards out on the field. We were trying to go for 3(00) or 400 but it didn't happen. Big ups to them, for sure, though. We came in with the right mindset to get the job done."
The Colts clamped down better against the run in the second half, but the fast start on the ground helped Willis find his rhythm as a passer.
After completing five passes for 24 yards in the first half, the third-year QB completed 8-of-9 passes for 98 yards during the final two quarters to help the Packers seal the win.
Losing Lloyd late to an ankle injury, Jacobs carried the ball from start to finish. His 32 rushes were just one shy of his career high in Las Vegas. Jacobs said he felt fine afterwards, though he admittedly was ready to hit the ice tub.
"I feel like I could play another half," Jacobs said. "It was hot, especially in warm-ups, but body-wise, I feel good, man. I told 'em, I don't think I've ever had a game where I came out kind of like this clean. So, I feel good."
