Green Bay Packers stand chance of edging past troubled hosts Indianapolis Colts – NFL Preview
The Indianapolis Colts will host the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil stadium this Sunday (Oct. 7) under reign of interim coach Bruce Arians for the first time who has replaced ill Chuck Pagano last week.
It is a rather setback to the team’s rebuilding efforts as the first-year coach Pagano is likely to stay out of the side for the entire season after a couple of months’ hospitalisation for leukaemia treatment he has been diagnosed with a week earlier.
Bruce is upbeat about his preparedness for the game and says he will target a win to dedicate it to Pagano as a wish for his recovery to full health, although a win might not be a result for them at the end.
The Packers, who were Super Bowl champions in the 2010 season, have lately found their lost form, particularly becoming stronger on the offensive line, after having made sluggish start to this season.
A win for the Colts warrants their rookie quarterback Andrew Luck gives match-winning performance this week. Although he has so far been in a reasonable form, he is yet to give an impressive performance which now becomes a must to register their second win
of the season.
Luck said to be saddened by hearing the news of Pagano suffering leukaemia, and it will be seen if he is able to maintain the same level of confidence under reign of Bruce, although he has spoken high of the makeshift coach’s experience and skills.
He said of Pagano’s illness:
"I think short of death, this is the worst type of news you want to hear. We'll do everything we can in honour of what coach Pagano is going through in honour of his fight, which is much more important than this kid's game we play."
Owner Jim Irsay has spoken of his hopes of victory versus the Packers in honour of Pagano. He said:
"I know in meeting with the team, in meeting with the coaches, there's nothing more than we want to get that Green Bay game ball and have a victory game ball and be able to walk that into the hospital and put that in his hands. That's our goal."
The Colts are coming into the game with a single win, and this weekend will be their first game after bye week. The Packers are 2-2 in their division, and stand better and more chances to a victory over the hosts.
With a number of issues popping up all of sudden for the Colts and improved form of the Packers, the odds at the moment seem to be in favour of the latter. A win by them should not be a surprise.
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