The Green Bay Packers continue their two-game home stand when they host the Houston Texans Sunday at Lambeau Field. The Packers are 4-2 on the season while the Texans are 5-1. Green Bay defeated the Arizona Cardinals 34-13 last week. Meanwhile, the Texans scored a 41-21 road win against the New England Patriots. Here are the keys to victory for the Packers in their Week 7 matchup with the Houston Texans.

The Packers lead the all-time series between these two teams 4-1-0 in the regular season. The two teams first met in 2004. The Packers and Texans have never met in the postseason.

Here are the keys to victory for Sunday’s game at Lambeau:

Packers Keys to Victory vs Texans, Number One: Slow Down Stefon Diggs

The Texans have a deep and talented group of receivers. They are without their top weapon, Nico Collins, who is still on the injured reserve, but they still have veteran receiver Stefon Diggs who remains a dangerous weapon.

The Packers are likely to match up their top cover corner, Jaire Alexander, on Diggs as often as possible. Diggs has caught six passes in each of the last two games and is quarterback C.J. Stroud’s go to target without Collins in the lineup. Diggs and Alexander had some epic battles when Diggs was with the Vikings and this one should prove no different.

While Tank Dell and tight end Dalton Schultz are also dangerous weapons, the Packers will prioritize slowing down Diggs on Sunday to take away the Texans biggest weapon in the passing game.

Number Two: Get Pressure On C.J. Stroud

The Texans offensive line has struggled this season. The team’s quarterbacks have been sacked 17 times in six games.

Left tackle Laremy Tunsil has struggled with penalties this season and already has been flagged 12 times through six games. The left guard Kenyon Green has also committed seven penalties already.

The Packers pass rush has not consistently pressured the quarterback when rushing only their four linemen. As a result, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has cooked up some blitzes using linebackers, safeties or even slot corners to get after the signal caller.

The Packers will need to put pressure on Stroud and disrupt his timing. If the former Ohio State star has time to throw, he can pick apart almost any NFL secondary. This is an opportunity for Rashan Gary and Preston Smith to get their pass rush going.

Packers Keys to Victory vs Texans, Number Three: Stop Joe Mixon

Joe Mixon adds another element to the Texans attack. He’s only played in three games thus far this season due to injury, but he will be in the lineup against the Packers. Mixon is averaging 5.5-yards per carry and 95.3-yards per game.

The Packers run defense has improved in recent weeks. The team is doing a better job of keeping contain on the perimeter and making tackles. The run defense ranks 8th in the league allowing 110-yards per game.

The Packers also have to be aware of Dameon Pierce who is a dangerous change of pace back and former Wisconsin star Dare Ogunbowale who is a receiving threat out of the backfield. Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker will have to keep an eye on Ogunbowale.

Number Four: Stay Balanced On Offense

The Packers offense is much more productive and effective when they run the football well. Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson provide the Packers with strong running between the tackles.

When the Packers want to run outside, they often turn to Jayden Reed or Bo Melton on jet sweeps or end arounds. Those plays are used to keep the defense off balance and set up other plays later in the game.

The Houston run defense is middle of the pack, allowing 113.8-yards per game.

The Packers need to keep the offense balanced. If they run the ball effectively, they keep the Texans offense off the field and set up manageable down and distance situations.

Keeping a solid run/pass balance will help the Packers offense against the Texans.

Packers Keys to Victory vs Texans, Number Five: Prevent Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr from Pressuring Jordan Love

The Packers have a pair of excellent pass blocking tackles in Zach Tom and Rasheed Walker. The Texans have two excellent edge rushers in Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson, Jr.

Anderson has 5.5 sacks to lead the Texans and is coming off a big game against the Patriots last week. Hunter has 2.5 sacks and is a familiar foe after his time with the Vikings.

Tom bounced back last week against Arizona after struggling against the Rams the previous week. Walker has been steady in pass protection all season.

If Jordan Love gets time to throw, he’ll have a better chance against a highly rated Texans secondary that ranks fourth in the NFL, allowing just 163.2-yards per game through the air.

The Texans secondary may be without CB Kamari Lassiter and safety Jimmie Ward who both missed practice due to injuries.

Number Six: Contain the Texans Dangerous Special Teams

The Texans have excellent special teams, and the Packers can’t afford to allow Houston to have a big edge here. Ka’imi Fairbairn is an excellent kicker. The Packers now have Brandon McManus kicking instead of Brayden Narveson who was let go midweek.

Keisean Nixon finally had an impact last week and made 30-plus yard kick and punt returns. The Texans have outstanding coverage teams and some dangerous return specialists of their own.

Rich Bisaccia cannot allow either Robert Woods or Steven Sims to break off big returns and give the Texans a short field.

Prediction:

This will be a battle between two heavyweight teams, and it should go down to the wire. It also involves a great chess match between one of the more innovative offensive play callers in Matt LaFleur and an innovative defensive head coach in Demeco Ryans.

Both teams possess explosive offenses and young elite quarterbacks. It will be a litmus test for both teams to see how good they truly are.

The game will come down to mistakes and somehow, the Packers will make one more than the Texans when it matters most.

 

Texans 34, Packers 30

 

 

 

Follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers

Click here for more great Packers coverage