Where: Lucas Oil Stadium -- Indianapolis, Ind. (turf, indoors)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox)
Spread: Packers by 7
Records: Packers (2-2 overall, 1-0 NFC North); Colts (1-2 overall, 0-1 AFC South)
Past results: Three most recent meetings -- Oct. 19, 2008: Packers 34, Colts 13; Sept. 26, 2004: Colts 45, Packers 31; Nov. 19, 2000: Packers 26, Colts 24. Series record: Packers lead 21-20-1.
What matters: The Colts' defense is riddled with injuries and they will be playing their first game without head coach Chuck Pagano. Those factors, coupled with an unforgiving Packers' offense, spell trouble for Indianapolis. The Colts' defense has been suspect against the run, at best, and Cedric Benson has given Green Bay a solid option out of the backfield. With a run-down defense and a secondary in flux, this could be a recipe for disaster for the Colts.
Who matters: Clearly, no one matters more to the Packers than QB Aaron Rodgers, so getting pressure on him will be of utmost concern. OLB Dwight Freeney appeared poised to play this week but has since been ruled out. That's unfortunate because Freeney is a speed rusher that who would, at the very least, give Rodgers and his offensive line something to worry about.
Key matchup: Colts' offensive line vs. Clay Matthews. With OGs Seth Olsen and Joe Reitz out and starting C Samson Satele questionable with knee injuries, Indianapolis may be employing a green (and shallow) offensive front Sunday. The O-line has had its struggles protecting QB Andrew Luck through three games this season, so expect Green Bay LB Matthews to be wreaking havoc in the Colts' backfield.
Injuries of note: CBs Vontae Davis (ankle) and Justin King (groin) are out, as is ILB Pat Angerer (foot). OLBs Freeney (ankle) and Robert Mathis (ankle) could play but will be limited. Offensively, Satele will be a game-time decision. Of the players listed, only Olsen and King are backups.
Inside stuff: Due to injuries in the secondary, the nickelbacks Josh Gordy and Darius Butler were not with the team at the start of preseason. Gordy signed before the second preseason game, and Butler was acquired just over a week ago.
Connections: The most obvious will be the return of C Jeff Saturday, who anchored the offensive line from 1999 through last season. Less notable is DT Daniel Muir , who was with the Colts from 2008-'11.
Stat you should know: Angerer's replacement at ILB, Jerrell Freeman, has led the Colts in tackles in each of the team's first three games. Freeman has 27 tackles in his first year as a pro.
Bulletin board quote: Given the circumstances, there hasn't been much verbal sparring between the teams. But here's the best there is, from CB Jerraud Powers when asked if Green Bay has the most dangerous group of receivers in the league: “I wouldn’t say that. There are a lot of teams that have a great corp of receivers. I think they got a good group of receivers. They got a great tight end. Jordy [Nelson] is a great receiver. Greg Jennings and those guys, they’re a good group. I wouldn’t just say that it is something we haven’t seen before or there is something different about them than any other receiving group."
Record watch: With seven catches, WR Reggie Wayne will pass Keenan McCardell and move into 14th all-time in receptions.
Looking ahead: Indianapolis hits the road next week to play the Jets before returning home to play the Browns. Two winnable games after a tough matchup this week.
Prediction: Packers 27, Colts 14
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Colts blogger Evan Hilbert, follow @CBSColts.
