Packers-Texans: Five Matchups to Watch

4. Packers coverage units vs. Texans returner Jacoby Jones

Green Bay's difficulties covering kicks has been well-documented in the past two weeks, and their lack of coverage has directly contributed to the Packers two-game losing streak. For Green Bay to snap out of their slump, the coverage units must do a better job at lengthening the field for opposing offenses.

Carolina and New Orleans both played on short fields against the Packers, and both made the Green Bay defense pay for it. Any NFL team that is given a short field is going to have a considerably easier time scoring the football, and the Texans will be no different. Jones has game-changing capabilities, so the Packers will need to play fundamentally sound special teams on every kick to contain him.

It's hard to determine which Packer unit is actually going to play well from week to week, but my gut tells this unit is going to bounce back this week. With new punter Jeremy Kapinos punting now for Green Bay, there has to be at least mild optimism that the unit can improve this week.

Advantage: Even

5. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers vs. the Packers first three offensive series

One of the Packers biggest problems has been their start to games offensively. Rodgers has seemed to take a series or two to get into a rhythm, but there is no time for that anymore. Green Bay has to get an early lead in this game to take the pressure off their ailing defense.

If the Packers can get a early lead, it makes playing defense so much easier and could lead to an increase in turnovers that have been lacking in previous weeks. That will all come down to Rodgers, who last week started 0-for-4 and took at least three series to get into any sort of rhythm. Before he knew it, the Packers were down and he needed to play perfect football from there on out to even give the Packers a chance (which he did).

This week, that has to change. Rodgers will need to find rhythm right away, and lead the offense into the end zone on his first couple of series to establish a lead. That way, the Packers can utilize their running game and play action more effectively later in the game, and take the pressure off a defense that severely needs it.

Advantage: Rodgers

Green Bay plays host to Houston Sunday at noon CST, on CBS.

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