Packers are talented enough to survive a mistake-filled performance against the Texans
It wasn’t clean, it wasn’t perfect. But at this point, it’s just how the Green Bay Packers play football. New kicker Brandon McManus converted a 45-yard field goal, and the Packers beat the Houston Texans 24-22, their biggest and most impressive result of the season so far against a 5-1 team. Impressively enough, the defense […]
It wasn’t clean, it wasn’t perfect. But at this point, it’s just how the Green Bay Packers play football. New kicker Brandon McManus converted a 45-yard field goal, and the Packers beat the Houston Texans 24-22, their biggest and most impressive result of the season so far against a 5-1 team.
Impressively enough, the defense was the unit mainly responsible for the victory.
Jeff Hafley's havoc
It was by far the most complete and effective game of the defense on a play-by-play basis. It did allow 19 points in the first half, but it was mostly due to mistakes from the other phases of the team. The most notable aspect of the performance was how the front was able to create pressure, and especially how defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley was successful calling special plays in high-leverage situations to apply pressure.
In the first quarter, for instance, Hafley called fire zone and safety Xavier McKinney pressured from the slot to sack CJ Stroud. In the third, off-ball linebacker Eric Wilson had two sacks, killing drives from the Texans.
It was also Rashan Gary's best game of the season. In the first half, he had his first sack since week 1 and three other pressures.
In the fourth quarter, the defense allowed one long and lengthy drive from the Texans, even though it was full of negative plays for the offense — and it ended up with a field goal to put the Texans ahead by one point. Sometimes, it happens, but the overall performance is certainly a positive, and the big reason why the Packers won.
Too many mistakes, once again
The Houston Texans scored 19 first-half points. All of them came after huge mistakes. Two Jordan Love interceptions, a fumble on a punt return when Keisean Nixon inexplicably didn't catch the ball, and a big kickoff return. The Texans didn't have a huge offensive half and the Packers defense was pretty solid, but Houston's job was much easier with so many absurd mistakes.
If Jordan Love's interception last week was not his fault, you can't say the same thing about what he did twice against the Texans. In the first one, he didn't see Jalen Pitre moving inside, taking advantage of his leverage, and letting Romeo Doubs free outside. In the second, he unnecessarily overthrew Christian Watson in double coverage.
Last season, Love had a 2.6 turnover-worthy play rate. Coming into week 7, it was up to 3.6, and it's probably getting higher after what happened at Lambeau Field on Sunday.
Love's aggressiveness it's more a feature than a bug in his style of play, but sometimes he makes some bad plays that are hard to comprehend, and against the Texans they were costly for the Packers.
It’s truly wild, but after five games, Jordan Love is on pace to finish the season with 45 touchdowns and 24 interceptions.
Special teams issues are here, but not at kicker
The Packers entered week 7 as the 26th ranked special teams unit in the league by DVOA. It won't get any better than that in the next update.
It was an awful game by this unit, with a holding penalty on the opening kickoff negating a 39-yard return setting the tone for what would happen. Later, Keisean Nixon didn't catch a punt and the ball touched Corey Ballentine's leg, a fumble recovered by the Texans. Houston also had a 42-yard kickoff return, setting up a field goal.
In the third quarter, Jayden Reed tried to return a punt when he shouldn't, and was tackled at the four-yard line.
The good news is new kicker Brandon McManus converted all of his kicks, including a game-winning 45-yard field goal. It’s a new era in Green Bay, at least in this area.
Oh, and punter Daniel Whelan is playing like an All-Pro — and Sunday's performance included punts for 61, 62, and 66 yards. He was instrumental for the team in the second half, when field position was a big part of the matchup.
Packers are willing to endure the ups and downs to make sure their first-round rookie develops
Offensive lineman Jordan Morgan played his third NFL game
