Packers (4-1) at Texans (1-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, NRG Stadium, Houston
TV: Fox
Danny Sheridan’s line: Packers by 3
Packers’ keys to victory: Green Bay has scored on every opening drive this season, and it needs to get off to a fast start to make Houston one-dimensional early. OLB Za’Darius Smith will need to make his presence felt and get after the quarterback. Win the turnover battle and not allow extra possessions for Houston. RB Aaron Jones will be going against a porous run defense, and the Packers need to let Jones carry the load. If all else fails, QB Aaron Rodgers should be able to command and control the tempo of the game.
Texans’ keys to victory: Houston has turned the ball over seven times in the first six games. The Texans need to involve WRs Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks early and challenge the secondary deep. DE J.J. Watt has three sacks and must continue to make impact plays rushing the passer. ILB Zach Cunningham has to create stops in run defense and not allow Green Bay’s rushers into the second level.
Matchup to watch: Texans’ defensive line vs. Packers’ offensive line. Houston has started to get penetration into the backfield with DT P.J. Hall, a former 2018 second-round pick. However, the Texans are losing the battle in the trenches, and teams are running at will against their defensive line. If the Packers can blow Houston off the ball and allow their rusherslevel, it will give the Packers control of the pace of the game.
Who wins? Against a superb quarterback such as Rodgers, a porous defense is a massive disadvantage and puts pressure on Watson.
Packers, 34-26