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Packers score impressive win, 42-24

HOUSTON–The Packers offense exploded for 42 points in its most important and impressive performance of the season. The 42-24 win over the Texans at Reliant Stadium on Sunday night evened the Packers’ record at 3-3 and possibly salvaged the Packers’ season.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers tied a team record with six touchdown passes. He threw three to Jordy Nelson, two to James Jones and one to Tom Crabtree, an especially impressive performance against one of the best pass defenses in the league. Rodgers threw for 338 yards and looked every bit the league MVP that he was last season.

Rodgers opened the scoring with a 41-yard bomb to Jordy Nelson down the right sideline. The Packers increased their lead to 14-0 following a six-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to James Jones late in the first quarter.

Houston cut its deficit to 14-7 when Arian Foster capped a nine-play, 80-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run, but the Packers roared right back with a seven-play, 78-yard touchdown drive, which Rodgers capped with a 21-yard dart to Nelson on a crossing route.

Foster, the NFL’s second-leading rusher, was held to 29 yards on 17 carries by a Packers defense that was playing without nose tackle B.J. Raji. Foster’s longest run from scrimmage gained five yards.

Nelson led the Packers in receptions with nine for 121 yards and, of course, three touchdowns. Randall Cobb caught seven passes for 102 yards.

The Packers offense kept the pressure on in the second half and interceptions by Sam Shields and Casey Hayward, who intercepted two passes, in the fourth quarter sealed the deal for Green Bay and dealt the Texans their first loss of the season. The Packers’ scoring barrage took Houston out of its run-the-ball personality and forced it into a panic passing attack.

Packers lead at halftime, 21-10

HOUSTON–The Packers were clinging to a 21-10 lead at halftime of their game against the undefeated Houston Texans on Sunday night.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers led a resurgent passing game to arguably its best performance of the season, as Rodgers threw for 187 yards and three touchdowns against one of the top pass defenses in the league.

Rodgers opened the scoring with a 41-yard bomb to Jordy Nelson down the right sideline. The Packers increased their lead to 14-0 following a six-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to James Jones late in the first quarter.

Houston cut its deficit to 14-7 when Arian Foster capped a nine-play, 80-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run, but the Packers roared right back with a seven-play, 78-yard touchdown drive, which Rodgers capped with a 21-yard dart to Nelson on a crossing route.

The final score of the half followed a 47-yard drive by the Texans; Shayne Graham booted a 51-yard field goal.

Foster, the NFL’s second-leading rusher, was held to 22 yards on 13 carries by a Packers defense that was playing without nose tackle B.J. Raji. Foster’s longest run from scrimmage gained five yards.

Nelson led the Packers in receptions in the first half with five for 82 yards and, of course, the two touchdowns.

Linebackers D.J. Smith and Nick Perry sustained knee injuries. Smith’s return is doubtful and Perry’s is questionable.

Raji will not play; Packers-Texans gameday inactives

The following players have been declared as inactive for tonight’s Packers-Texans game at Reliant Stadium.

Green Bay Packers
28 S Sean Richardson
31 CB Davon House
56 LB Terrell Manning
64 G Greg Van Roten
84 TE D.J. Williams
85 WR Greg Jennings
90 DT B.J. Raji

Starting lineup changes: On offense, #89 James Jones will start at wide receiver in place of #85 Greg Jennings. On defense, #79 Ryan Pickett will start at nose tackle in place of #90 B.J. Raji. #99 Jerel Worthy will start at left defensive end in place of #79 Ryan Pickett.

Houston Texans
20 CB Roc Carmichael
26 CB Brandon Harris
27 SS Quintin Demps
66 T Andrew Gardner
67 G Cody White
79 G Brandon Brooks
97 ILB Barrett Ruud