Packers go to Indy to play the Colts

The sixth road trip of the season takes the Green Bay Packers to Indianapolis to take on the Colts in a matchup of division leaders. 

• The last two games between the two clubs were decided by a combined eight points.
• It is the Packers' fifth regular-season game at Indianapolis, and Green Bay is looking for its first victory.
• The Packers last played at the Colts in 2012, a 30-27 Indianapolis win.
• The Packers are one of two teams in the NFC and one of four teams in the NFL with two or fewer losses so far this season (Pittsburgh, 9-0 / Kansas City, 8-1 / New Orleans, 7-2).
• Just like this season, Green Bay was 7-2 after nine games last season, making them one of two NFL teams to win at least seven of their first nine games in each of the past two seasons (New Orleans: 7-2/7-2).
• It is the first time Green Bay has started 7-2 or better in back-to-back years since 1996-97 (8-1/7-2).
• The Packers have won 12 of their last 14 regular-season games.

This is an abbreviated version of the Dope Sheet. Read the full version here (PDF).

AGAINST THE AFC

• The Packers are facing their third AFC opponent of the season, having previously defeated the Houston Texans in Week 7 and the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 10. Dating back to 2019, Green Bay is 5-1 against AFC opponents, an .833 winning percentage that is tied for No. 1 in the NFL over that span (New Orleans, 5-1, .833).
• Green Bay ranks No. 4 in the NFL in points-per-game (28.3) and No. 6 in the league in points per game differential (plus-6.7) against AFC opponents since 2019. The Packers have scored over 30 points in three of their last five games against AFC teams.
• QB Aaron Rodgers has registered a passer rating of 100-plus in six of the last eight games he has played against AFC teams, throwing 20 touchdowns and one interception in those contests. The Packers are 7-1 in Rodgers' last eight starts against AFC opponents.
• In two games versus AFC teams this season, WR Davante Adams has totaled 21 receptions for 262 yards (12.5 avg.) and three TDs. 
• Over the last 10 games he has played against AFC teams, Adams has tallied 10 receiving TDs.
• In nine games played versus AFC opponents, RB Aaron Jones has recorded eight TDs (five rushing and three receiving).

WITH THE CALL

FOX will broadcast the game to the majority of the country. Play-by-play man Joe Buck joins analyst Troy Aikman with Erin Andrews reporting from the sidelines.

• Milwaukee's WTMJ (620 AM), airing Green Bay games since November 1929, heads up the Packers Radio Network that is made up of 50 stations in four states. Wayne Larrivee (play-by-play), two-time Packers Pro Bowler Larry McCarren (analyst) and three-time Packers Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro John Kuhn (sideline) will call the action. McCarren first joined the team's broadcasts in 1995 and enters his 25th season calling Packers games. After originally being paired together in 1999, McCarren and Larrivee enter their 22nd season of broadcasts together. They surpassed Jim Irwin and Max McGee for the most regular-season and postseason games broadcast for the Packers with 313 at the 2018 season opener against Chicago.
• The broadcast is also available on Sirius Satellite Radio (WTMJ feed), WTMJ.com via desktop computer and on numerous devices through NFL Game Pass.
• ESPN Radio will air the game across the country with Marc Kestecher (play-by-play) and Barrett Jones (analyst) calling the action.
• DIRECTV subscribers can watch the game on Channel 714.

This is an abbreviated version of the Dope Sheet. Read the full version here (PDF).

THE DOPE ON THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT:

Packers vs. Colts:

• Regular season, all-time: 20-22-1
• All-time, Postseason: 1-0
• All-time, on road: 8-13-1 (0-1 at Lucas Oil Stadium)
• Streaks: The Colts are 4-0 while playing at home versus the Packers since the franchise moved to Indianapolis in 1984
• Last meeting, regular season: Nov. 6, 2016, Lambeau Field, Colts won, 31-26

COACHES CAPSULES

• Matt LaFleur: 20-5-0, .800; (1-1 postseason); 2nd NFL season
• Frank Reich: 23-18-0, .561 (1-1 postseason); 3rd NFL season
• Head to Head: 0-0
• vs. Opponent: LaFleur 0-0 vs. Colts; Reich 0-0 vs. Packers

MATT LaFLEUR…In his second season as the Packers' 15th head coach.

• In his 12th season in the NFL, having previously served as an offensive coordinator for two seasons (Los Angeles Rams, 2017; Tennessee Titans, 2018), a quarterbacks coach for six seasons (Washington Redskins, 2010-13; Atlanta Falcons, 2015-16), and an offensive assistant for two seasons (Houston Texans, 2008-09).
• In his first season leading the Packers in 2019, because the first coach in club history to lead the team to the playoffs in his debut season. Also led the largest one-year win improvement in team history (plus-seven wins).
• Became only the fifth coach in NFL history to win 13-plus regular-season games in his first season as a head coach (Jim Caldwell, George Seifert, Jim Harbaugh, Steve Mariucci).
• Guided the Titans' offense in 2018 to a No. 7 league ranking in rushing (126.4 ypg) as Tennessee registered 11 games with 100-plus rushing yards, tied for No. 2 in the NFL.
• Helped the Rams lead the league in scoring with an average of 29.9 points per game in 2017, more than doubling their average from 2016 (14.0 ppg).
• Tutored QB Matt Ryan, who led the league in passer rating (117.1) in 2016 on his way to being named NFL Most Valuable Player by The Associated Press, and QB Robert Griffin III, who became the first QB in Washington franchise history to win AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012.

FRANK REICH…In his third year as the Colts' 19th head coach. 

• In his first season as head coach of the Colts in 2018, led the team to the playoffs for the first time since 2014 after finishing with a 10-6 record. 
• After starting the 2018 season with a 1-5 mark, the Colts won nine of their last 10 games and became just the third team in NFL history to start a season 1-5 and make it to the playoffs. Additionally, Indianapolis was the second team in NFL history to start a season 1-5 and win a playoff game.
• Named the 2018 AFC Coach of the Year by the NFL 101 Awards.
• Has 29 years of NFL experience as both a player (1985-1998) and a coach (2006-2020), previously holding positions with the Eagles (2016-17), Chargers (2013-15), Cardinals (2012), and Colts (2006-2011).
• Enjoyed a 14-year playing career with the Bills, Panthers, Jets and Lions after being selected by Buffalo in the third round (57th overall) of the 1985 NFL Draft.

THE PACKERS-COLTS SERIES

• The teams have played nine games since the Colts relocated to Indianapolis from Baltimore in 1984.
• Starting in 1953, the clubs were division opponents and played twice each season up until the 1967 season when the NFL was realigned in preparation for the NFL-AFL merger.
• In the 1965 season, the Colts and Packers met in the NFL playoffs after a tie in the Western Conference standings. Green Bay came back from a 10-point deficit to win, 13-10, in overtime en route to the club's ninth NFL title.

NOTABLE CONNECTIONS

Packers DL Billy Winn played for the Colts in 2015…Colts CB Tremon Smith spent parts of the 2019 season on the Packers' active roster and practice squad…Packers assistant special teams coach Maurice Drayton held the same position in Indianapolis from 2016-17…Packers special teams quality control coach Rayna Stewart served as a training-camp intern for the Colts in 2004…Packers TE Robert Tonyan played at Indiana State from 2012-16...Packers inside linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti served as an assistant coach at Indiana State from 1998-99...Colts general manager Chris Ballard played football at the University of Wisconsin…Colts RB Jonathan Stewart played collegiately at the University of Wisconsin from 2017-19…Colts special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone was coached by Packers special teams coordinator Shawn Mennenga while playing for the Browns from 2011-12…Colts DT DeForest Buckner, Packers S Will Redmond and offensive line coach Adam Stenavich all spent time with the 49ers between 2016-18…Packers secondary coach Jerry Gray coached Colts CB Xavier Rhodes in Minnesota from 2014-19...Gray and Colts defensive backs/cornerbacks coach Jonathan Gannon coached together for the Titans (2012-13) and Vikings (2014-17)…Colts TE Trey Burton and Packers S Adrian Amos played together with the Bears in 2018…Colts CB T.J. Carrie played with Packers LB Christian Kirksey for the Browns during the 2018-19 seasons…Packers running backs coach Ben Sirmans held the same role at Boston College when Colts T Anthony Castonzo was on the roster from 2007-10…Colts offensive line coach Chris Strausser served as an assistant offensive line coach for the Broncos when Packers G/T Billy Turner played for the team from 2017-18…Packers tight ends coach Justin Outten and Colts linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi both served as graduate assistants at Syracuse in 2007…Colts defensive line coach Brian Baker coached with Mennenga for the Browns in 2013 and with Olivadotti for the Washington Football Team in 2014…Baker coached the defensive line at Mississippi State from 2016-18, crossing paths with Packers LS Hunter Bradley, G Elgton Jenkins and quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator Luke Getsy…Packers coaching assistant Ruvell Martin was coached by Colts pass game specialist Kevin Patullo while he was on the Bills roster from 2011-12…Packers senior analyst Butch Barry and Borgonzi coached together for the Buccaneers from 2015-17…Packers T Rick Wagner and Tonyan both played with Colts S Tavon Wilson with the Lions between 2017-2019…Packers outside linebackers coach Mike Smith coached Tremon Smith and Colts DE Justin Houston while with the Chiefs from 2016-18…Mike Smith and Packers assistant defensive backs coach Ryan Downard both coached at Texas Tech during Colts T Le'Raven Clark's time on the roster from 2011-15…Colts assistant offensive line coach Klayton Adams coached tight ends at San Jose State when Packer RB Tyler Ervin was on the roster in 2011-12…Former college teammates include: Packers P JK Scott and Colt C Ryan Kelly (Alabama); Packers DL Montravius Adams and Colts T/G Braden Smith (Auburn); Packers LB Za'Darius Smith and Colts DT/DE Denico Autry (East Mississippi CC); Packers LB Rashan Gary, G Jon Runyan and Colts LB Jordan Glasgow (Michigan); Packers LS Hunter Bradley, S Will Redmond, LB Preston Smith and Autry (Mississippi State); Packers WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Colts QB Jacoby Brissett (North Carolina State); Packers DL Tyler Lancaster, DL Dean Lowry and Colts LB Anthony Walker (Northwestern); Packers WR Equanimeous St. Brown and Colts G/C Quenton Nelson (Notre Dame).