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