Rodgers, Adams spark back-to-Pack ‘W’
HOUSTON — Aaron Rodgers insisted that the Packers’ lackluster performance in their first loss of the season last week was an anomaly.
And on Sunday, he and the Packers proved that by easily handling the Texans.
“That game is an outlier, I believe, and today was more in line with our first four weeks,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers threw for 283 yards and four touchdowns, and Green Bay bounced back with the 35-20 victory.
Rodgers played a nearly flawless game and tied his season high for touchdown passes. The performance came after he threw two interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown, with no TDs in a 38-10 loss to the Buccaneers last week.
Despite being without leading rusher Aaron Jones and left tackle David Bakhtiari, Green Bay (5-1) had no trouble handling the woeful Texans (1-6) as the Packers built a 21-0 lead by halftime.
Green Bay’s strong day on offense was aided by a career-high 196 receiving yards by Davante Adams, who had touchdown receptions of three and 45 yards.
“When he’s in the game, obviously we’re tough,” Rodgers said.
Adams did whatever he wanted against Houston’s defense after top cornerback Bradley Roby left with a knee injury after Green Bay’s first possession.
“I can only eat what’s in front of me, so I’m going to play and run my routes to win no matter who’s guarding me,” Adams said.
Green Bay made it 35-13 when Jamaal Williams scored on a one-yard run with about four minutes to go.
Deshaun Watson threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Will Fuller with about 90 seconds left before the Texans recovered an onside kick. But David Johnson fumbled after a reception on the next play, and the Packers ran out the clock.
Houston was left searching for answers after another lopsided defeat on the heels of an overtime loss to the Titans last week.
“I’m frustrated. I’m angry. It sucks,” defensive end J.J. Watt said. “I don’t know what else I’m supposed to feel.”
Interim coach Romeo Crennel fell to 1-2 since taking over after Bill O’Brien was fired following an 0- 4 start.
“We’re an inconsistent team, and we showed that today,” Crennel said.
After failing to move the ball effectively in the first half, the Texans finally got on the board when Watson threw a three-yard pass to Johnson to cut the lead to 21-7 early in the third quarter.
But Green Bay pushed its advantage to 21 again later in the third when Adams, who caught 13 passes, got in front of the defense to make the 45-yard reception. It was the second game for Adams this season with at least 150 receiving yards and two touchdowns, making him only the third player in franchise history to have two such games in one year and the first since Antonio Freeman in 1998.