Israel Abanikanda ends 14-play scoring drive with 3-yard touchdown run
Wes Hodkiewicz
INDIANAPOLIS Israel Abanikanda touched the ball 12 times on the Packers' 14-play scoring drive, culminating in a 3-yard rushing touchdown to cut Indianapolis' lead to 16-10 after three quarters.
Packers and Colts play a scoreless first quarter
The Packers won the coin toss and elected to receive. Green Bay converted two fourth downs on its opening drive, with running backChris Brookspicking up four yards on fourth-and-1 andJohn FitzPatrickcatching a 9-yard pass fromMalik Willison fourth-and-5.
The ball moved to the Indianapolis 21 after a facemask call on Colts defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore during Brooks' 1-yard run.
The drive produced no points afterMark McNameemissed a 39-yard attempt wide left with 9 minutes, 47 seconds left in the first quarter.
Colts quarterback Daniel Jones opened with a 19-yard pass to tight end Mo Alie-Cox, but the Packers definitely held their ground to force a Rigoberto Sanchez punt.
Willis connected withMecole Hardmanon a 21-yard pass completion on third-and-6.Julian Hicksmade a brilliant grab on a go ball down the right sideline on third-and-6, but the play was wiped out by a holding penalty. Green Bay punted one play later.
SafetyKitan Oladapobroke up a first-down pass by Jones on the Colts next possession, which began at their 16-yard line. While playing most of its starters, Indianapolis drove down to the Green Bay 7-yard line as the first quarter concluded.
Colts lead Packers 13-3 at halftime
Colts lead Packers 13-3 at halftime
Jones was forced to throw the ball away on third-and-6, settling for a 25-yard Spencer Shrader field goal to put the Colts up 3-0 with 14 minutes, 46 seconds left in the first half.
Running a wheel route out of the backfield,MarShawn Lloydgained separation down the right sideline and looked in a 33-yard pass from Willis on third-and-5 to move the ball to midfield.
Anthony Beltonpicked up a late hit penalty after a 5-yardEmanuel Wilsonrun and the Packers punted after a 5-yard pass toBen Simson third-and-20.
Bo Meltonbroke up a Richardson pass on second-and-1, but DJ Giddens picked up the necessary yard on the next play. Green Bay got Indianapolis in a third-and-9 situation from the Packers' 24, but Richardson scrambled up the middle to sustain the drive.
Former Packers running back Tyler Goodson punched in a 3-yard touchdown to extend the Colts' lead to 10-0 with 5:00 left in the half. The 12-play, 90-yard series lasted 6:22.
Taylor Elgersmaentered at quarterback on Green Bay's fourth series. Willis went 6-of-14 for 83 yards. The drive lasted just two plays, as the Colts recovered a Wilson fumble.
The defense held Indianapolis to a Schrader 29-yard field goal that made it 13-0 with 2:14 left in the half.Kadeem Telfortwas called for a false start and Elgersma was sacked for a 6-yard loss on the next play, as the Packers went three-and-out.
On second-and-10, Wilson extended a check down in the flat from Elgersma for a 32-yard pickup to the Colts' 20. Elgersma rocketed in a pass to Ben Sims for a 20-yard touchdown, but an illegal formation penalty on Belton erased the score.
McNamee made a 43-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
Colts lead Packers 16-10 after three
The Packers forced a three-and-out to start the second half, withKristian Welchtackling Ulysses Bentley IV for no gain on third-and-2.
WithJacob Monksustaining an injury at the end of the first half,Trey Hillslid over to center withTyler Cooperentering at right guard.
The Packers picked up the initial first down with a 12-yard pass toCornelius Johnsonon third-and-5. Elgersma threaded a 14-yard pass to Hicks on a post on the next play.
Israel Abanikandagained 14 yards on four consecutive carries to move the ball to the Colts' 35. Colts safety Daniel Scott appeared to intercept Elgersma on third-and-7, but Samuel Womack was called for a facemask penalty before the pick.
Abanikanda carried the ball five straight times for 19 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown on third-and-goal to cut Indianapolis' lead to 13-10 with 4:19 left in the third quarter.
The 14-play, 80-yard drive ate 9:02 off the block. Abanikanda touched the ball 12 times on the series, gaining 49 yards (38 rushing, 11 receiving).
The Colts answered with an eight-play, 27-yard scoring drive that ended with a 56-yard Shrader field goal to extend Indianapolis' lead to 16-10 with 2:04 left in the third quarter.
