INDIANAPOLIS -- Lost in the emotion of the Indianapolis Colts' 30-27 win over the Green Bay Packers was a significant improvement on the field.
The Colts were dominated along the line of scrimmage in the first half. They had been all season, and that changed in the second half.
The Colts had seven sacks through the first three games and five against the Packers. The return of Dwight Freeney certainly helped as Packers left tackle Marshall Newhouse struggled against the bullrush. Packers center Jeff Saturday was embarrassed on a Cory Redding sack, who had his first two of the year. Cornerback Jerraud Powers has been better than advertised, and the Colts have high expectations of Vontae Davis, when he returns from an ankle injury.
On NFL Replay
NFL Replay
will re-air the
Indianapolis Colts' emotional 30-27 win over the Green Bay
Packers from Week 5 on Tuesday, October 9 at 8 p.m. ET.
The defense can make a significant stride if the defensive line continues to be a factor. Starting linebacker Pat Angerer (foot) also is due back soon.
The offensive line actually moved people for once. The Colts rushed for 119 yards on 30 carries as Donald Brown (84 yards) had his best effort of the season. Quarterback Andrew Luck took too many big hits, but the development of the run game opened play-action opportunities.
More production from the offensive line and the run game will make life much easier for Luck. And the rookie has proved to be more than NFL-ready.
"The Green Bay Packers are one of the best in the league," left tackle Anthony Castonozo said. "It's one of those things where we've seen ourselves come from a huge deficit at halftime and beat a team like that. The sky's the limit for us."
Luck added, "I think we got better and got a win."
The Indianapolis rebuilding arc will be much shorter if the Colts can consistently play like they did in the second half. And the biggest improvements came from the offensive and defensive lines.
Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.
