Much like my other series, Five Matchups to Watch is making it's momentous comeback this week. Hopefully for the Packers, it's just in time to save Green Bay's sinking season.
Green Bay (5-7) is now two games back of the division-leading Minnesota (7-5), and will need help to claim their second straight NFC North championship. The Packers will welcome the Houston Texans, who are also 5-7, to Lambeau Field Sunday for the Texans first game at the historic site.
The Packers won the only other meeting with Houston, beating the Texans 16-13 in 2004 at Reliant Stadium.
Five matchups to watch Sunday:
1. Packers' cornerback Charles Woodson vs. Texans' receiver Andre Johnson
To many league experts, Johnson has firmly established himself in the upper echelon of NFL receivers. So far in 2008, Johnson has caught 88 passes for 1,146 yards—both tops in the NFL. He blends a big frame with deceptive speed, and ESPN analyst Steve Young went as far as to compare Johnson with his former teammate and Hall of Famer Jerry Rice.
The Packers' Woodson will most likely get the daunting assignment of covering Johnson. Woodson has struggled the past two weeks, so it's imperative that he rebounds in a big way this week. While Woodson did struggle to stop the Saints' Marques Colston and the Panthers' Steve Smith, he has enjoyed one of his finest seasons in 2008.
Johnson is one of the Texans only offensive weapons, so if Woodson can neutralize him, it will make the Houston offense much easier to stop.
Advantage: Even
2. Packers tackle Chad Clifton vs. Texans defensive end Mario Williams
The Texans took a lot of slack for selecting Williams first overall three years ago, but he is proving to be one of the best defensive ends in the NFL. In the past two years, Williams has registered 25 sacks, and is on pace for around 15 this season.
Clifton will be call upon to block Williams for Green Bay. Clifton has seen and beaten dominant pass rushers in the past, so don't expect Clifton to be overwhelmed. However, he will need to stay focused all day long over Williams will take advantage. Williams has the size and speed to either bull or speed rush, but Clifton has displayed good power and lateral quickness to counter Williams' tools.
This will be a battle all afternoon. The winner of this matchup will go a long ways in deciding who wins this game Sunday.
Advantage: Texans
3. Packers defense vs. Texans running back Steve Slaton
Slaton has shown his dynamic ability numerous times this season, and has performed at a high level for being a rookie. Houston will need to control the clock and the football, and Slaton will be asked to shoulder the rushing load for the Texans. Slaton is averaging nearly 120 yards rushing in his last three games, and the Packers suspect run-defense could be liable.
Green Bay will also need to keep on eye on Slaton out of the backfield, as he caught two passes for 52 yards in the Texans win over the Jaguars last Monday night. The Packers have been burned by backs out of the backfield before in 2008, so keep your eye on who is covering Slaton when he ventures out of the backfield.
The Packers defense has struggled all season long stopping good running backs. Either by rushing or receiving, Green Bay is going to have problems stopping the Texans' speedy running back Sunday.
Advantage: Texans
14 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
David Arreola 7 months ago
Mario Williams should run circles around Chad Clifton on Sunday. Aaron Rodgers, get rid of it quick buddy.
I think Ryan Grant could have a decent game. The Texans aren't exactly the Steelers in run defense. Then again they sure aren't as bad as the Packers.
I remember the last game against the Texans. We were down 13-3 with like 7 minutes left and Favre gave us another comeback and led 3 straight scoring drives.
Also...
Steve Young, you DID NOT go there!
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Zach Kruse 7 months ago
Had to get your Favre reference in there, didn't ya David!? haha
I wouldn't mind seeing more of Jackson Sunday. Let's see if he can build off last week, and if Grant's thumb isn't 100 percent that's the way they should go.
And yes! Steve Young did say that after the Texans Monday night win. There are similarities, but that's a stretch right now.
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David Arreola 7 months ago
Well....hahaha. Gotta keep it fresh in our minds.
Jackson and Grant will most likely share carries 50-50. Or 60-40..something like that.
That is a stretch today, tomarrow, next week and the year after that!
Andre Johnson and Jerry Rice? Noooooooo sir. lol.
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Zach Kruse 7 months ago
Haha, Brett is always fresh on my mind.
Young might have taken one two-many concussions or something, or....he see's something in Johnson we don't see. Who knows, all I know is that's high praise for someone the Packers have to stop this weekend.
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Art Collier 7 months ago
The Texans have a good ball control offense, so if the offensive line start to get in a rhythm, it will wear down the Packers defense, then look or Kevin Walter over the top on play action as Andre will be drawing double coverage. On the other hand, if the Texans' defense goes back to "Read and React", Rodgers will be able to shred the Texans' secondary as many qb's lesser than him have done in the past (Harrington, Ferotte, Fitzpatrick, et al.). A pressure defense similar to what has been played against Cleveland and Jax is imperative.
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Zach Kruse 7 months ago
I think it's going to be a tight game. I've seen a lot of experts already giving this game to Green Bay, but Houston is dangerous. In my opinion, they're a couple pieces away from being a contender in the AFC.
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Kyle Latimer 7 months ago
I know this goes against the theory of "one game at a time" But if the Packers can win this sunday i like their chances of winning out the rest of the year and winning the NFC north on the tiebreaker against Chi and MIN
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Zach Kruse 7 months ago
I like the brass prediction, but the Packers haven't won more than two games in a row all season. However, the Packers also haven't faced an easier 4 game stretch than this all season either. Packers will be favored in every game besides maybe Chicago, so if they take care of business and the Vikes go 2-2, Packers go to the playoffs.
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Ryan Collins 7 months ago
Steve Slaton is the key. If the pack stops him, they win
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John Jamison 7 months ago
jeremy kapinos is the key. if he can punt better than frost, and the packers can cover the kicks, they should be in good shape.
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Zach Kruse 7 months ago
Both are significant keys to this game guys. Packers need to make the Texans one dimensional by stopping Slaton, and Kapinos is key to field position—which the Packers have been terrible at the past two games.
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Adam Lindemer 7 months ago
C-Wood looks to be getting the nod to play safety on Sunday, so the advantage is back to the Texans. Woody moves over to SS to make room for Tramon at corner, but Tramon is always the one getting beat.
It will be interesting to watch those Houston WR's, especially since Matt Schaub looks to return as well (the better of the two QB's). Andre Johnson is the most under-rated WR in the game, simply because he plays in Houston; he is having a career year too.
Pay too much attention to A.J. though, and you'll get burned by Walter and Davis...and let's not forget about Owen D. I'm still trying to figure out how the Texans are 5-7? I know GB NEEDS this win, but don't be too surprised if the Texans keep it close.
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Zach Kruse 7 months ago
Yeah that's a good point. That matchup should probably be Harris vs. Johnson. Thanks for pointing that out Adam.
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David Johnson 7 months ago
Zach my buddy,
Like to see that you are one of the four fans still supporting Wisconsin sports teams....
I hate to be writing this at halftime and be offering my predictions. It's a little cheap, sorry bout that. When I first saw Woodson was playing at Safety I didn't like it. He NEEDS to stay at corner despite being "burned" the past two weeks. Bigbi/Rouse is doing fine back there, and although Collins will get burned every once in a while, he's doing great too. Both Bigbi and Collins' help in the run game is unmeasurable.
Yea, I'd agree with Adam, Al Harris should be the one covering the top reciever from the other team. Sure, he's lost a lot of his athleticism, but he's still a shutdown corner, and with Woodson on the other side and Tramon in the nickle, there should be no way they get burned as much.
Not to defend Rodgers which I'll comment down the page in a few, but McCarthy runs the ball way too much for Rodgers to find a rythum in the first three drives of any game.
Yea, I do remember almost the entire nation getting on the Texans management for taking Mario Williams over the so-called "Savior" Reggie Bush, and I though it was a great move. Sorry, Reggie can't do what he did in college to NFL defenses; too big, too fast kid, he's a bust and Williams is absolutely one of the best defensive players in the nation in my opinion.
Steve Slaton is making an impact like Pat White will in the NFL will next year. A lot of experts were writing off Slaton because of his size, but he's a work horse, and lot more powerful than defenses expect. Pat White will go somewhere, and do something, and people will see his name again, I guarentee that.
You don't think the Packers are missing Favre right now. If Favre wins in the postseason, I WON'T say I told you so, but Thompson and McCarthy's seats are heating up. Sorry, Rodgers is not going to be in Green Bay long. We have yet to see him start to whine, complain, and blame the O-line, coaches, and recievers. Every throw so far in this game has been a better catch than throw.
As far as the defense goes, watch this name: Desmond Bishop. The impact of Nick Barnett and Cullen Jenkins being out is also not accounted for by most breaking down this game, not to mention they cut KGB to sign Rodgers. Wonder if that'll bite them in the ass in a year or two.....
I also want to see what your take was on Michael Redd coming back and lighting it up with RJ, and Bogut finally showing some effort down low. If they win at LA tonight (chances are slim), but IF they do, it'll make some noise. Like Houston (Rockets), everyone's GOT to stay healthy....
Alright dude, take it easy. Sorry for the length of the comment, its sort of replacing me acutally writing my own article...
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