“We just need to play better,” said Adrian Amos multiple times to Green Bay media in the week leading up to the Packers afternoon showdown against the Houston Texans. Green Bay did in fact play much better than in Week 6 against Tampa Bay, and the Packers took down Houston 35-20 in a commanding victory.
How Green Bay Dominated
Green Bay was without star running back Aaron Jones who was held out of Sunday’s game with a calf strain he suffered during the week. Jamaal Williams took the role of the starting running back and provided the Packers 77 yards rushing and one touchdown.
Without Jones and utility man Tyler Ervin, the Packers offensive focus ran through Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams. After missing a few games with a hamstring injury, Adams exploded with a 13 catch, 196-yard, and two touchdown performance that reminded the NFL what he can do while healthy.
The Texans couldn’t cover Adams all afternoon. They failed to recognize the issue Texans’ defensive backs were having in one-on-one coverage.
“I love one on ones, when Aaron sees those, his antennas go up and I know it’s coming my way,” said Adams.
Green Bay got out to a 21-0 lead right before the end of the first half, and the Texans were not able to come back from that deficit. Deshaun Watson opened the 2nd half with a six-minute drive which was capped off by a short touchdown pass to running back David Johnson.
On the ground, AJ Dillon did not have the role he was expected to have coming into the game, and David Johnson continues to disappoint as the lead back on the Texans. Johnson rushed for only 42 yards on 14 carries.
The Texans who Shined
Deshaun Watson had a good day. He threw for 309 yards and two touchdowns, but the Packers kept Watson in the pocket. They did not allow the excessive scrambling that Watson utilizes to kill defenses in key situations.
A familiar face in Randall Cobb had the best afternoon of any Texan. The former Packer slot receiver had one of his best days in Houston with eight catches and 95 yards receiving against a beaten up Green Bay secondary.
Highlights:
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The first of two scores for Adams in a historic day for him and Rodgers.
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Johnson made plays in the passing game for Watson today.
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Preston Smith with a game-clinching sack of Watson.
What’s Next
Coming off of a deflating loss to the Buccaneers in Week 6, Rodgers and Matt LaFleur had the Packers determined and ready to go on Sunday. The Packers took no prisoners and exploded again offensively, as they have done all season. Without their star running back, Rodgers and Adams took over the game and returned to form against a banged-up Texans secondary.
For the Texans, they fall to 1-6 and will face their division rival Jacksonville Jaguars on November 8th after a bye week. They don’t have much of a running game and little defensive support. There is not much hope left for the Texans at this point in the season. Hopefully, a bye week will heal some injuries on defense and the Texans can return to form against a struggling Jaguars team.
Green Bay hosts the Minnesota Vikings next weekend. They will have a quick turnaround with a Thursday Night Football matchup four days later against the San Francisco 49ers. Following two blowout losses to San Francisco in 2019, LaFleur and the Packers will have their eyes on that game.
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Main Credit Image: Embed from Getty Images
