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Sunday's game featuring Texans' C.J. Stroud and Packers' Jordan Love should be spectacle
If the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions were not squaring off this week and the San Francisco 49ers were not facing the Kansas City Chiefs in a Super Bowl rematch, Sunday's game between the Houston Texans and the Green Bay Packers would likely be the game of the week.
It will feature two of the NFL's top young quarterbacks in C.J. Stroud and Jordan Love, who are also friends off the field and have great admiration for each other's games.
Since 2023, Stroud and Love have been among the league's best passers, with Stroud leading the NFL in passing yards per game, and Love leading in passing touchdowns.
"I think Jordan is a great dude," Stroud said Wednesday. "I think he's a great quarterback. He's definitely a friend of mine and somebody who I look up to."
Love shared similar sentiments.
"What he did last year was very, very impressive," Love told reporters in Green Bay. "You don't see too many quarterbacks that come in and ball out the way he did. Definitely a testament to the work he's put in to get there. I'm proud of him."
Love and Stroud had different paths to becoming stars. Stroud was immediately thrust into the starting role in Houston, while Love waited his turned behind Aaron Rodgers. Both paths worked out in their favor.
Sunday's game will likely come down to whichever quarterback can make the most plays and take care of it best against two great defenses. It'll be a spectacle.
The Packers, who lead the NFL in takeaways, had three last week against the Cardinals, while the Texans, who lead the league in pressure rate, forced four turnovers against the Patriots.
Get your popcorn ready.
 | Jonathan M. Alexander, Texans beat reporter |
Fantasy studs and duds
Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer
START HIM
RB Joe Mixon
In Mixon's first game back since suffering an ankle injury, he rushed for 102 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns last week against the Patriots. He's a man on a mission. The Packers allow 110 yards per game, which is top 10. But they also have allowed five 20-yard rushes in six games.
Go deeper: Houston Texans show how a fierce running game can make life minus Nico Collins manageable
TE Dalton Schultz
Dalton Schultz is a gamer. But it hasn't showed up in the box score this season. He has just 18 catches for 143 yards this season. But I think that could change this week. Last week, Cardinals' tight end Trey McBride had eight catches for 96 yards vs. the Packers.
SIT HIM
WR Stefon Diggs
I'd expect cornerback Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander to be on Diggs primarily, with some help from safety Xavier McKinney, who leads the NFL in interceptions this season. The Packers lead the NFL in takeaways. It's dangerous to start the go-to target.
For more: Why protecting football 'at all costs' will be Houston Texans' primary goal vs. Green Bay Packers
Texans defense/special teams
Last week I told you to start this unit, and it worked out. But playing on the road against one of the better offenses in the NFL, who has consistently had short fields because of the defense, is a gamble this week.
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Texans Trivia!
Monday's question: How many quarterbacks threw Andre Johnson a pass in a Texans uniform? That includes those who did not complete a pass to Johnson. (You'll know this answer if you read one of my earlier stories on Johnson ahead of his Hall of Fame induction).
Monday's answer: 12.
Shoutout to Eric Garcia who got Monday's question correctly!
This week's question: The Texans have five remaining players from the 2020 Texans team on this year's roster. Name all five players.
The first person to email me the correct answer gets a shoutout in the next newsletter.
Top Stories
Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer
How do Texans plan to defeat Packers? 'Protecting the football at all costs'
The Texans will have an extra emphasis on ball security this weekend when they face an opportunistic Packers defense forcing turnovers at a record rate.
- Texans mailbag: How does D-line change with Autry back and Edwards out? Jonathan M. Alexander takes his weekly plunge into reader questions, including possible pursuits before the trade deadline. Read More
- The Texans traded RB Cam Akers to the Minnesota Vikings. Here's why. The Texans traded running back Cam Akers to the Minnesota Vikings for a sixth-round pick because Houston had a surplus of options in the backfield. Read More
- NFL suspends Texans DT Mario Edwards for four games: The NFL suspended defensive tackle Mario Edwards for violating its policy against substance abuse. He is eligible to return after the game against the Lions. Read More
Photo by: Brett Coomer/Staff Photographer
My Green Bay food rec
Green Bay is known for their bratwurst. So if you're traveling to this game, go to The Booyah Shed. It's a locally owned diner. I looked it up on Yelp and it had five out of five stars.
Other recommendations from my colleague Chancellor Johnson at KPRC include Republic Chophouse and Kroll's Burgers, which he says is a Green Bay staple.
Try it, let me know what you think.
Photo by: Chris Shelton
I'm back on track with my predictions, though I didn't see the Texans putting up 41 points without star receiver Nico Collins. They've found the formula to success and that's running the football.
The Packers are a tough team, however. I think they could give Houston problems defensively. They lead the NFL with 17 takeaways. And it's on the road.
I'm predicting Packers 27 Texans 20.
JMA's season record: 4-2
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