Packers set sights on signature win
By GERY WOELFEL
The Green Bay Packers are still searching for that signature victory.
They may discover it Sunday
While the Packers have won four games, none of them came against an elite opponent. To wit:
- The beat the Colts, who are 3-3.
- They defeated the Titans, who are 1-4.
- They upended the Rams, who are 1-4.
- They thrashed the Cardinals, who are 2-4
In the Packers’ other two games this season, against upper-echelon clubs, the Packers lost both of them. They were defeated by the 3-2 Eagles in the season opener in Brazil and they came up short against the 5-0 Vikings.
The Packers will get another crack a legitimate playoff team Sunday at historic Lambeau Field when they host the Houston Texans.
The Texans have compiled a 5-1 record, the second-best mark in the AFC behind Kansas City, which is 6-0. The only other team with a better record than the Texans in Roger Goodell’s 32-team kingdom is the unbeaten Vikings.
That is perhaps why the Texans are 3-point underdogs against the Packers. Perhaps the odds-makers realize Texans, despite their gaudy record, aren’t the powerhouse some observers might believe.
The Texans, after all, won four of their six games by six or fewer points, including razor-close calls against the Colts (29-27) and Bills (23-20).
What’s more, the Texans no longer have the services of standout receiver Nico Collins. He had 32 catches in the Texans’ first four games before getting hurt. Last season, Collins racked up 80 receptions for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns.
But the Texans still have quarterback C.J. Stroud, who is coming off a sensational rookie season and who has thrown for 1,577 yards this season (sixth most in the NFL), a quality running back in Joe Mixom and a crafty and dangerous receiver in Stefon Diggs.
Yet, the Packers’ defense, even though it’s been highly erratic this season, seems to be making strides and is healthy. It should be up to the task and help secure a signature win for the Packers.
Prediction: Packers 30, Texans 20.
