The Packers are in the win column after a 16-10 triumph over the Indianapolis Colts at Lambeau Field, making it twelve straight wins in home openers for the green and gold.

Here are the five biggest takeaways from Green Bay’s first win of the 2024 season.

Matt LaFleur is awesome

With backup quarterback Malik Willis having been acquired less than three weeks ago, the onus was on Matt LaFleur to craft a functional offense this week, and the effectiveness of said offense was always going to say more about the head coach than the QB.

Well, LaFleur created and called a great game plan on Sunday. Despite everyone in the stadium knowing the Packers wanted to run the ball, they were able to get whatever they wanted on the ground in the first half, racking up 164 rushing yards in the first quarter (!).

Green Bay also won the time of possession battle by 20 minutes, and this helped them to build a lead they would never relinquish, even as Indy slowed them down somewhat in the second half.

Part of what made the Packers so successful on the ground was the creative play calling of LaFleur, who kept the Colts defense off balance with motion, fakes and sweeps.

It was a rushing performance so dominant, it makes you wonder why they do not do it all the time, but the Colts porous run defense played a part as well.

This is not the first time LaFleur has overcome the odds to steer his team to a win.

Back in 2021, the Packers went to Arizona to face the undefeated Cardinals, while missing their top three receivers, Davante Adams, Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and still managed to put up 24 points en route to a 24-21 victory.

LaFleur is a terrific coach and a top tier play caller, and Sunday provided yet more evidence of his brilliance.

Jeff Hafley’s defense shows its teeth

Following an up and down debut as an NFL defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley’s unit came to play on Sunday, forcing the much ballyhooed Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson into three interceptions, bringing their total through two games to five picks and six total turnovers.

Having mostly contained Jalen Hurts’ running threat in week one, the Packers defense did the same to Richardson, limiting his opportunities to make explosive plays either on the ground or through the air, while also accentuating and capitalizing upon his inconsistent accuracy.

The Packers rushed the quarterback with discipline and care. Former first round pick Devonte Wyatt looks reborn in Hafley’s attacking defense, and was a menace all afternoon, registering the only sack.

Eric Wilson has risen from mostly a special teams player to a real defensive asset. He had a pick of Richardson and is turning into a reliable player at the linebacker position.

A lack of ability to play complementary football killed the Packers versus the Eagles. Sunday was the polar opposite in that regard. The only reason Green Bay’s offense could play the way they wanted to was due to the defense holding up their end of the bargain, and then some.

Hafley’s defense allowed just three points in the first 58 minutes, and made a statement that this time, it could actually be a new defensive dawn in Green Bay.

Malik Willis gets it done

Not enough can be said about how impressive Malik Willis’ performance was on Sunday. Less than three weeks after joining the team, he looked a changed player from the three starts he had for Tennessee as a rookie.

It is a testament to LaFleur’s coaching, but also Willis’ work ethic and even keeled demeanor, that he was able to cleanly operate the offense after so little time with the team.

Willis did exactly what the Packers needed. He protected the ball and did not take unnecessary risks, but still made plays when he had to, keeping the chains moving. He ended the day with his first NFL touchdown and 100-yard passing game.

The former Liberty quarterback had talent coming out of college, but was nowhere near ready to play at the highest level. Now with two years of experience behind him, and a strong offensive play caller to support him, he has already shown he can be serviceable.

With more time in the building and more exposure to the playbook, how good can Willis become in the next few weeks if Love is still out?

Strong start for Josh Jacobs continues

Jacobs’ short career in Green Bay so far has not been flashy.

In week one, he struggled to get anything going in the first half, due in large part to Green Bay’s offensive line failing to open holes. He has still not scored a touchdown yet, and on Sunday, fumbled his first opportunity to find the end zone at the half-yard line.

But after two games, he has 235 rushing yards on 48 carries, averaging 4.9 yards per tote. That yards per rush matches his average from 2022, when Jacobs led the NFL in rushing.

It is no secret the Packers wanted Aaron Jones to stay, but after that did not materialize, there is a reason they were then content to pivot and pay Jacobs a heap of money.

He is capable of doing something Jacobs never did; serve as a true workhorse back, shouldering the majority of the load week in and week out. After 32 carries on Sunday, Jacobs told reporters he felt like he could “play another half”.

The touchdowns will come, but Jacobs has already shown why the Packers inked him to a long-term contract on the first day of free agency.

Packers still not secure at kicker

Brayden Narveson’s two NFL games have been almost identical. Versus both the Eagles and Colts, the Packers’ new kicker went three of four, looking assured on the three makes, before missing an important 45-yarder.

Last weekend in Brazil, Narveson’s miss was crucial in a one-score loss, and he was fortunate not to have cost the Packers again this week.

Had he punched his final kick through the uprights on Sunday, it would have given Green Bay an unassailable, 17-point lead.

Instead, his miss meant they had to sweat out the final minutes as the Colts pulled within 6, attempted an onside kick, and then still had the chance to pull off an improbable late touchdown drive, which ultimately came up short.

Narveson seems like a stronger option than the Packers’ previous two kickers, but he needs to start making kicks under 50 yards routinely. Brian Gutekunst will probably still have an eye on the free agent kicker market at this point.