Reserves provide strong response after tough start

Mike Spofford

INDIANAPOLIS The Packers reserves, after a rough first half marred by penalties, overcame a 13-point deficit to beat the Colts, 23-19, in preseason action Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Here are five takeaways from the game.

After trailing 13-0 and only managing a field goal at the end of the first half due to a slew of penalty flags, the Packers picked up and cleaned up their game in the second half.

QBTaylor Elgersmadirected a pair of touchdown drives, with running backsIsrael AbanikandaandAmar Johnsonfinishing them with scoring runs. Both of those backs ran hard and combined for 65 rushing yards.

ThenSean Cliffordentered midway through the fourth quarter for the offense's last possession and engineered a TD drive of his own, capping it with a QB keeper off a play fake for an 11-yard score with 1:31 left that gave the Packers their first lead of the game.

"All in all, I was really proud, really excited just watching how our team responded and competed, really for the duration of the game," Head Coach Matt LaFleur said. "The first half was extremely sloppy from an offensive standpoint, certainly a lot of penalties. Really in every phase we had penalties, but we did a much better job in the second half."

The Packers committed 11 penalties for 85 yards in the first half. Five of those flags were on rookie second-round draft pick and right tackleAnthony Beltonfor a false start, an unnecessary roughness along the sideline, a facemask on a play when running backEmanuel Wilsonfumbled, and consecutive illegal formation fouls when he wasn't lined up along the line of scrimmage.

The last two wiped out a 20-yard TD catch by TEBen Simsand a 17-yard completion toWill Sheppardthat got inside the 5, just before halftime, and the Packers had to settle for a field goal.

LaFleur was most upset about the personal foul after the whistle, calling it "completely unacceptable," as the offense was nearing field-goal range but got backed up.

He also suggested the coaches need to examine how the offensive line is getting lined up to avoid the alignment penalties. Left tackleKadeem Telfortwas flagged for one of those, too, on that same drive late in the first half.

"We've got to do a better job," LaFleur said "We coach these guys to line up off the guard, so we might have to look at our guards and see about their alignment, see if they're too far back.

"Guys have to dial in and focus and make sure they're doing all the little things the right way."

It wasn't just Belton, or the Packers for that matter. GuardDonovan Jenningswas flagged for holding that wiped out a big gain, on a nice catch downfield, by receiverMalik Heath.

The Colts also had a facemask call take away an interception and an offensive offside nullify a long downfield catch.

The young Canadian QB, who entered the game in the second quarter afterMalik Willishandled the first three possessions, was a productive 7-of-11 for 109 yards (96.4 rating), taking just one sack and avoiding some others.

When protected, he fired the ball with conviction, and on his longest completion he found Wilson alone in the flat that turned into a 32-yard gain when Wilson made the first tackler miss.

His most clutch play was an 18-yard completion on a crossing route toCornelius Johnsonto convert on fourth-and-3 early in the fourth quarter, setting up Johnson's TD run.

Elgersma's only real blemish was the interception that was wiped out by a Colts penalty, when he was avoiding pressure and forced a throw into traffic.

"I thought there was a lot of good things that he did," LaFleur said. "Obviously led us on a couple of scoring drives. I do think there were a couple times where he put the ball in jeopardy in some tough situations, and we got bailed out by a penalty on the defense. So I think there's a lot to like, but also a lot to learn from."

Elgersma also underthrewIsaiah Neyoronce when the undrafted rookie receiver got a step on his man and was open down the sideline. He rebounded quickly from that to convert the fourth down to Johnson on the next play.

Clifford also missed on a deep shot to Neyor, a recently signed prospect who had been making plays recently in practice.

"When the receiver one-on-one beats the defender, we've got to put that ball out for him," LaFleur said.

Irish-bornMark McNameegot his first placekicks in game action, and he went 3-for-5 overall.

He hooked a 39-yard field goal wide left to conclude the game's first drive, which turned out to be Willis' best chance to put points on the board.

Then he made a 43-yarder at the end of the first half, but he also missed one of three extra points, also wide left. The miss would've given the Packers the lead at the time, but instead the game stayed tied at 16.

The Packers didn't play their starters at all, and many didn't go through warmups due to injuries either. Unfortunately, not all the backups escaped the game healthy.

SafetyOmar Brownwas carted to the locker room with a chest contusion, which LaFleur called a "scary" situation that will require him to spend the night in Indianapolis.

Rookie defensive linemanBarryn Sorrellleft the game with a knee injury sustained on special teams.

Running backMarShawn Lloydalso did not return to the game after taking a big hit along the sideline at the end of a 33-yard reception from Willis in the first half. Asked if Lloyd was OK, LaFleur responded, "We'll see."