Packers Offense vs. Texans Defense
Green Bay’s offense got off to a much better start against the Arizona Cardinals than they were able to in either of Jordan Love’s first two games.
They scored 14 points on their first three possessions of the game, which were punctuated with touchdown passes by Love to Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs.
Love finished 7-for-11 with a touchdown pass in the first quarter, and his first pass of the second quarter found the end zone as well. Coach Matt LaFluer did a much better job of getting his young quarterback into a rhythm than he did in previous weeks.
If the offense has in fact found an extra gear, it did so at a good time. They’ll play a really good Houston offense on Sunday, and then Detroit and Chicago in two of their next three games.
Those offenses are all dangerous. The Packers have been really inconsistent to this point in the season on this side of the ball.
They could be finding their extra gear at just the right time.
Part of that equation could be the help that Love received when the inactive report came out.
A week after not having Christian Watson or Romeo Doubs for various reasons, both returned to Sunday’s game against the Cardinals.
Doubs welcomed himself back to the lineup with a touchdown and appeared to be the steady presence he has been for the duration of his young career.
Watson was excellent in the run game, as he usually is, and opened things up for his teammates.
He also found the end zone on a 44-yard strike from Love.
Jordan Morgan has returned to the lineup, and as promised by Adam Stenavich, the rotation returned with him. Morgan and Sean Rhyan rotated every other series in the first half, and both had some big moments.
Morgan was part of an impressive combination block with Zach Tom to spring Josh Jacobs for a big gain.
Coming into the game, Rhyan had played his best three games consecutively, according to Stenavich.
Speaking of Jacobs, he and Wilson continued to prove to be a solid duo behind Love.
Wilson has been especially good in the passing game, while Jacobs appears to be a running back that gets stronger as the game goes on.
They’ll face a stiff test this weekend against the Texans.
Houston’s defense is led by their head coach, Demeco Ryans.
Ryans is a familiar nemesis for the Packers. He was the defensive coordinator that drew up a masterful game plan to slow down Aaron Rodgers and the 2021 offense in the playoffs at Lambeau Field.
His defense is complex and hard to attack. They can rush the passer, led by former Viking Danielle Hunter and last year’s defensive rookie of the year, Will Anderson Jr.
The secondary is led by former top pick Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre. They both have good ball skills and will take it away if the opposing quarterback puts the ball in harm’s way.
Packers Defense vs. Texans Offense
Green Bay’s defense thrives on chaos. They rotate players in a manner that is typically only seen at the college level.
They play four different linebackers and seven defensive backs during the course of a game, regardless of who is healthy or not.
Last week, Edgerrin Cooper continued to rotate in on passing downs at linebacker. Keisean Nixon and Jaire Alexander appear to be clear cut starters at cornerback, along with Xavier McKinney at safety. After that, Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, Carrington Valentine and Eric Stokes have all rotated in the secondary.
The defensive line has typically rotated guys in and out of the lineup as well, which is pretty standard.
When it comes to Houston’s offense, the Packers have already caught a break. Nico Collins is one of the best receivers in the NFL. He’s not going to play Sunday after being placed on injured reserve last week.
That means the focus on defense will likely go to a familiar nemesis. Stefon Diggs used to have all-out wars with Alexander when Diggs was with the Vikings.
Both Diggs and Alexander are fiery competitors, which should make for an entertaining matchup when the two lock horns on Sunday.
Xavier Hutchinson and Tank Dell are the other two receivers attempting to pick up the slack in the absence of Collins.
CJ Stroud reportedly asked for Dell during the 2022 NFL Draft. The two make for a good pairing, and Dell should primarily be matched up with Nixon, who has had a good season drawing compliments from his defensive coordinator a week ago.
Joe Mixon is the primary running back, but he’s been in and out of the lineup. He’s backed up by former Minnesota Viking and Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers.
Special Teams
The Packers still have not benefited from the new kickoff rules. Nixon had his first chance at a return since the season opener against the Eagles in Brazil but not much came of it.
Maybe as the weather continues to turn, the ball won’t be able to boom through the back of the end zone, and Nixon will get some opportunities.
It’s possible the Packers could give him an opportunity as a punt returner if they won’t be able to get the ball in his hands on a kickoff. Jayden Reed continues to prove valuable to the offense, and perhaps the Packers could want to find more ways to take some hits off of Reed.
Green Bay’s kicking situation remains a mess.
After a perfect week a week ago, Brayden Narveson missed another field goal against the Cardinals. This time, it was a 44-yarder that would have given them a 34-13 lead.
It was inconsequential this week, but it’s unclear how much more of this Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur are going to be able to tolerate as the stakes get higher.
Daniel Whelan has been excellent and rebounded from a tough game against the Los Angeles Rams with a nice punt to pin the Cardinals inside the 10 on their first possession of the game.
The Texans were the winners of the Rick Gosselin special teams rankings for the second consecutive season. They’re well coached, dynamic and rarely make mistakes in that phase of the game.
Their kicker, Ka’imi Fairbairn, is one of the best in the NFL and is two weeks removed from making a 59-yard field goal to win a home game against the Buffalo Bills.
The Packers’ special teams have been better this season than they were last year, but they’ll need to be on their A game to slow down this group for Houston.
Pack’s A game needed to corral Texans
