With five defensive starters missing, I was unsure what kind of performance we’d get from this resilient Texans squad. Sadly, despite their gritty effort, the game slipped away when the Packers kicked a field goal on the final play, sealing a 24-22 win.
Here’s my Big Play Breakdown from this heartbreaking loss.
**2nd Quarter – 11:56 remaining**
Texans trailing 7-3, 2nd and 1 at the Packers’ 2-yard line.
After a muffed punt recovered by the Texans, Joe Mixon ran for nine yards on first down, moving the ball to the 2. The Texans lined up in 12 personnel (one RB, two TEs), with TE Teagan Quitoriano blocking on the left and TE Cade Stover moving in motion from the right. The offensive line blocked like it was an outside zone play, but Stover acted as an additional lead blocker, cleaning up inside after Quitoriano handled the outside linebacker. Mixon found just enough room to turn the corner and score his first touchdown of the day.
**2nd Quarter – 4:24 remaining**
Texans trailing 14-13, Packers 1st and 10 at their own 34-yard line.
Just after Kai’mi Fairbairn drilled a 52-yard field goal, the Texans defense went to work. They rushed four and played man coverage, with rookie safety Calen Bullock floating in the middle in cover one. Danielle Hunter burst off the left side, beating RT Zach Tom with a rip move and closing in on QB Jordan Love. Love, feeling the pressure, lobbed a pass intended for Christian Watson on a dig route, but the ball sailed due to Hunter’s rush. CB Derek Stingley Jr. was tight on Watson’s hip, and Bullock intercepted the pass for his third pick of the season. The Texans capitalized with a touchdown right before halftime.
**2nd Quarter – 1:16 remaining**
Texans trailing 14-13, 1st and goal at the 4-yard line.
After Bullock’s interception, the Texans drove to the 4-yard line. Lining up in 11 personnel (one RB, one TE, three WRs), they wanted the Packers to match with an extra DB. They initially set up with a bunch formation to the left, but WR Tank Dell motioned right to shift the defense. C.J. Stroud handed the ball off to Joe Mixon on a mid-zone run to the left. Kenyon Green made a key block, opening the A-gap, and Mixon burst through, scoring his second touchdown to give the Texans a 19-14 lead before halftime.
We’ll leave it here for now—time to regroup for next week’s home game against the Colts. See you then!
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