One of the best matchups of the week will take place at Lambeau Field on Sunday as the Packers host CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans. The Texans bring a 5-1 record and a 3 game win streak to Green Bay while the Packers are coming off back-to-back wins with a 4-2 record.
As soon as the schedule was released, this was one of those circle the weekend types of matchups. A highly anticipated showdown between two of the leagues young star quarterbacks. Both teams have championship aspirations and this game could be a great measure of where each stand on their way to a playoff run.
Here are 3 things to watch in the Packers vs. Texans week 7 matchup:
Love & Stroud
This will certainly be one of the best QB matchups of the week and potentially the season. Two young guys who have proven they have what it takes to play high-level, game-winning QB play. CJ Stroud is a smart, accurate thrower who can complete just about any pass on the field. He has thrown just 9 interceptions with 707 pass attempts over his young career. Consistently over 64% in completion percentage, Stroud finds the open guy and takes care of the football.
Jordan Love comes into this game tied for second in touchdown passes with 12. Considering he missed two games, Love is off to a great start through the first 6 weeks of the season. He is one of two quarterbacks in the league to have multiple games with 4+ TD passes.
This is an elite quarterback matchup and you should expect both guys to be locked in.
Play-Action Shot Plays
There is a unique recipe for success available in this matchup. So far this season, Jordan Love has thrown four touchdown passes and has a passer rating of 132.1 when using play-action. While on the other side of the ball, the Texans have allowed five touchdown passes and a passer rating of 126.4 against play-action passes.
If the Packers can get Josh Jacobs going early and really establish the run, keep an eye out for a few shot plays coming off of play-action. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing something very similar to the play above with Love hitting Christian Watson in stride after pulling the ball from the RBs chest.
Keep Love Upright
The Texans come into this game slightly banged up in the back end of their defense. With that said, they still have two beasts on the outside of their defensive line. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter will look to cause chaos against the Packers o-line. The two have combined for 8 sacks on 50 total pressures in the first six weeks of the season.
Zach Tom and Rasheed Walker will need to keep up their strong start to the season and keep Love clean. They are both in the top 15 in pass-blocking grade according to PFF. If they can fight off Anderson Jr. and Hunter long enough, Love and company should be able to find success against the Texans banged up defensive backfield.
Prediction: Packers 31, Texans 24
The Packers seem to be hitting their stride and Jordan Love looks completely healthy and back to his normal self. I expect LaFleur to continue scheming the ball into the hands of his playmakers and for this offense to stay in rhythm on their way to a third straight victory. I know they are few and far between with Stroud, but don’t be surprised if we see yet another Packers defensive takeaway, leading to crucial points giving the Packers a comfortable lead that they never give back.
