Four Key Takeaways from the Packers' Close Call with the Texans
After a less-than-clean and perfect win, the Packers improved to five wins, staying competitive in the NFL's toughest division. In their new uniforms, they pulled off a win that fans might not be used to seeing. While it ended on a high note worthy of a Lambeau Leap, the game had its fair share of ups and downs — good, bad, and even downright ugly. With plenty happening throughout the game, here are four key takeaways.
Jordan Love Needs to be Less Frivolous with the Ball
The Packers’ franchise quarterback certainly has the raw talent, but his decision-making can be a bit shaky at times. Even after missing two games, Jordan Love leads the league with eight interceptions, tied with Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew. His first interception happened on a quick slant when a flat defender tipped the ball, giving C.J. Stroud and the Texans offense a prime opportunity at the Packers’ 11-yard line. Later, Love went for a Favre-like throw to Christian Watson in double coverage, and, unsurprisingly, it got picked off. If the Packers want to not only make the playoffs but actually succeed there, Love really needs to protect the ball more because the defense won’t always be able to bail him out.
The Defense is Not Messing Around This Year
Jeff Hafley’s defense has shown they’re a force to be reckoned with this year and mean business. They made the Texans’ passing game so ineffective that many might have forgotten they even showed up to Lambeau Field. C.J. Stroud, well, he just had a day, finishing with only 10 completions for 86 yards and zero luck finding the end zone. Remarkably, the Packers sent five or more pass rushers on only 17.2% of Stroud’s dropbacks, yet they still managed to pressure him on 51.7% of those plays. With that level of disruption to what’s usually a red-hot offense, Green Bay just might be on their way to New Orleans in February.
Special Teams Actually Had Some Bright Moments
Despite costly mistakes in punt returns, Daniel Whelan and Brandon McManus brought the relief and stability that god knows the Packers’ special teams desperately needed. McManus hadn’t even been with the team for a full week before Sunday’s game, yet he managed to make all three of his extra points and nailed a 45-yard field goal to win the game — successfully completing it twice after being iced the first time. Rookie Brayden Narveson just couldn’t be trusted in those clutch moments, which is why McManus was brought in midseason. He stepped up and delivered exactly what the Packers needed. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief after all the kicker trauma.
While the Packers have been playing kicker roulette, Whelan has quietly been the reliable player they could count on all season with his powerful leg. He continued to shine against the Texans, averaging 56.8 yards on five punts and effectively flipping the field. He recorded three punts inside the 20, allowed zero returns, and even landed one inside the five, burying the Texans at the end of the game. He’s not just an elite punter, but a heck of a holder, single-handedly saving the awful snap on the game-winning field goal. Although Matt Orzech’s snap was low — skimming the grass — Whelan ensured the hold was solid for McManus, giving the veteran kicker an actual chance to finish the job.
Evan Williams is That Guy
Rookie safety Evan Williams is shaping up to be one of the biggest draft steals. As a fourth-round pick, he’s performing like one of the best safeties in the league. His explosiveness and football IQ have not only elevated the safety room but the entire defense as well. The struggles of last year’s safety group have been addressed and then some.
In their game against the Texans, Evan Williams and Xavier McKinney combined for 62 coverage snaps, allowing just two targets with zero catches. Williams led the defense with nine tackles and even stuffed a crucial two-point conversion attempt, helping the Packers secure a win by just two points. Together, this duo has more interceptions and pass breakups than catches allowed, and they’ve given up an impressive 16.7 passer rating when targeted. Offenses are still trying to figure out how to deal with them.
Week by week, the Packers are piecing together what they hope will make them a threat on all sides of the ball. This week marked a step forward for the Packers’ pass rush, and they’ll be aiming to keep that momentum against what looks like an easy opponent on paper. After sneaking by the Texans, they’re now focused on facing Trevor Lawrence and the two-win Jaguars. Let’s hope they can hold it together and not falter in what should be a winnable game.
