The Packers, and Jordan Love, showed extreme resiliancy throughout the entire contest vs. Houston. While the Texans were missing 5 defensive starters, they’re a very good football team that’s extremely well-coached, and it showed. Houston was able to generate pressure against, arguably, the best offensive line in the NFL and forced an interception by doing so. Love had a few miss throws/decisions that led to 2 interceptions, but he kept slingin’ it. With 7 total lead changes throughout the game, the Packers had multiple (6) drives when trailing. Of those six drives, the Packers scored on 4 of them, accumulating all of their 24 points in doing so, with the last drive securing the victory in walk-off fashion.

This 6 drives went as so:

1. 3 plays, 8 yards PUNT
2. 13 plays, 92 yards TOUCHDOWN
3. 6 plays, 70 yards TOUCHDOWN
4. 3 plays, 1 yard PUNT
5. 9 plays, 71 yards TOUCHDOWN
6. 8 plays, 44 yards FIELD GOAL

Here’s a look at how those drives came together…

That’s immense production, coming to 4 points/drive, which if that pace is kept all game, will lead you to well over 40 points in a game. A huge credit is owed to Jeff Hafley (Defensive Coordinator) and the Packers’ defense.

The defense allowed them to overcome a -3 turnover differential, which is nearly impossible, and losing the time of possession 31:17 to 28:43 and still win the game. Generating that much pressure kept C.J. Stroud in hell for much of the game, resulting in 55 net passing yards on 21 pass attempts. That’s incredible, nothing short of it. Of Houston’s 12 drives, the Packers forced 6 punts, with another being a kneel down to end the half. To put it in Points Per Drive perspective, the Texans scored 1.83 points/drive, whereas Green Bay scored 2.18. There’s the difference.

Cover Pic

Eric Wilson has now had 2 games where he’s been an absolute game-changer. Wilson logged 6 tackles (all solo), with 4 tackles for loss (TFL) and 2 of those were sacks. He also had a great pass breakup on a key 3rd down in the 2nd half. Another great play, aside from the 2 sacks and pass defensed, was reading a screen pass to Joe Mixon, who was gouging the Packers for much of the 1st half, form tackled him and set the tone for the defense in the 2nd half. My player of the game.

Too Many Mistakes

There is still a ton to clean up and we are now heading toward the halfway point of the season (which is wild because it feels like the season JUST started!) – and Green Bay continues to have plenty of penalties and miscues, especially on Special Teams. The Packers committed 8 penalties for 55 yards, all of which were costly. In addition, the Special Teams had a penalty on the opening kickoff costing the Packers 23 yards in starting field position. They also had a muffed punt and another where Jayden Reed caught a punt at his own Goal Line taking him into the end zone, and absolute no-no. Luckily Green Bay was able to overcome those and had zero kicking issues with newcomer, Brandon McManus. One last note about special teams…the Packers may have the best Punter in the NFL – Daniel Whelan. Whelan booted 5 punts for 284 yards, a 56.8 yard average, which is insane. Flipping the field each time giving his defense a better chance at stopping the Texans vaunted offense.

Who are the Jacksonville Jaguars? They’re a team with a highly-touted QB (Trevor Lawrence), and, what many believe (me included), a great head coach (Doug Pederson) – with a bunch of guys that can make plays, but the overall sum of the parts is flat out bad. The most productive portion of Jacksonville’s offense is the rush game (12th), and they’re 6th at stopping the run. Green Bay has done a solid job negating the run game from completely taking over the game, but still have been gouged at times. Green Bay has done a great job vs. the pass.

The Packers are a middle-of-the-road defense in essentially every category but are tops in the league by taking the ball away, even after not getting a single turnover in their last game. Jacksonville is very good at not giving the ball away (7 giveaways) ranking T-8^th.  Green Bay and Jordan Love should have a great opportunity to have a big game through the air considering the Jags rank 2^nd-to-last in the NFL in passing yards surrendered, with 273.9 yards/game. The Jags are also getting scorched in Points Given Up, ranking 2^nd-to-last in that category as well. This is due to Jacksonville ranking 24^th in 3^rd Down Conversion rate at 34.18%, while Green Bay ranks 13^th (40.48%), per teamrankings.com.

Green Bay’s defense accumulates sacks, ranking tied for 7^th in the NFL with 20 sacks, along with the Seahawks, the Packers have done a great job generating pressure in general and making the opposing QBs uncomfortable. Jacksonville is average in sacks allowed, relinquishing 17 sacks, tying them with Pittsburgh, Los Angeles Rams, and the New York Jets for 14^th. Green Bay can either generate turnovers and/or put pressure on Lawrence to for turnovers or end drives altogether. I believe both teams will attempt to establish a ground game, but if things go according to plan, the Jags will have to pass far more than they want to catch up to Green Bay, playing right into Jeff Hafley’s hands.

Predictions

Season: 5-2
Overall: 97-68

On the first play of the game, LaFleur had a great play call to get the game going. It was a play-action, semi-rollout for Love to hit Dontayvion Wicks for a 20+ yard gain, but the throw was off by a considerable margin. There were plenty of throws that were just off. However, the misses were fewer and further between than the Week 4 matchup vs. Minnesota. After the 3-yard pick-six Love tossed when trying to avoid a safety, he locked in. I’d even make the argument the pick-6 was better than taking the safety in that situation. Had he taken the safety, the Rams get 2 points and the ball right away. Even if they settled for a field goal on the ensuing drive, that would’ve been a +5 point differential before half, but instead the Packers got the ball back and Love drove down for a field goal as time expired. Thus making that only a +3 point differential (as the Rams missed their extra point attempt).

Love Locked In

Since the pick-6, Love settled in:

• 10/16 (completion/attempts)
• 152 yards
• 2 TD
• 0 INT
• 133.3 Rating

Entering the 2^nd half, the Packers did what they’ve done all season, generated turnovers. Los Angeles’ first possession of the 3^rd quarter ended in a fumble caused by Kingsley Enagbare, and recovered by, guess who, Xavier McKinney. From that point on, Jordan Love and Tucker Kraft put on a show. Keep in mind, the last throw by Love was a deep shot to Wicks down the right sideline, that Wicks decided to jump early for, misreading the throw, and it still hit him in both hands, but couldn’t come down with it. That would’ve iced the game, and had Wicks just kept running instead of jumping for it, might’ve been a TD. Either way, Love has now strung consecutive 2^nd halves together and put on a solid show. In the 2^nd halves in each of the last two games, plus the last drive prior to half of each game, Love has dominated…and keep in mind, that’s with many drops by all of his targets – not named Tucker Kraft.

• 31/46
• 439 yards
• 6 TDs
• 1 INT
• 128.5 Rating

That’s incredible stuff. Essentially a game’s worth of snaps and 2 games worth of production. Even if he strings together just three quarters of a game, he should obliterate defenses, good ones at that.

Who Are the Cardinals?

The Arizona Cardinals visit Lambeau Field at 2-3 on the season, with impressive wins over the Rams (41-10) and 49ers (24-23) – outscoring San Francisco 14-0 in the 2nd half of that game. Both teams coming off a much-needed win and absolutely need another to keep pace in their respective divisions.

For consecutive weeks, the Packers will face an NFC West foe, and their defense isn’t good. The Cards rank near the bottom of the league in rush defense, as the Rams did last week. Green Bay didn’t commit to the run nearly as much as we want or need, but were quite effective. Look for Green Bay to get to a closer balance on offense with Love beginning to get his footing (as referenced above), and open up the run game for Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson. Much like the first 2 games of the season, Green Bay’s defense will be tested by an uber-mobile QB in Kyler Murray. Murray has elite speed and is a danger to take it to the house from anywhere on the field. My guess is the Packers will play contain on the front and look to stop the rush with their front 4. The pass rush stats may not accumulate again this week however, forcing Murray to beat you from the pocket with his arm is the way to go. It wouldn’t be a shock if Green Bay comes away with another 2-3 interceptions. The main focal points for the Packers’ defense will be on rookie standout, Marvin Harrison, Jr. and TE Trey McBride. Harrison has 4 TDs on only 17 receptions, and will likely attract Jaire Alexander most of the game, should Alexander become available after missing the last two games.

If this is the game Jordan Love decides to put together more than 2 quarters of good play, the Packers could win handily and close out the game on the ground, which would be ideal. Green Bay is due for a stress-free win as the last one came in the Wild Card game in Arlington, TX against the Cowboys. Even then, Dallas scored 16 late points to window dress a bit.

Season: 3-2
Overall: 95-68