The Houston Texans boast a two-game lead in the AFC South and the second-best record in the conference entering a Sunday road game against the Green Bay Packers.
Still, various injuries and inconsistency on offense have Houston wide receiver Tank Dell eager for the team to fire on all cylinders.
“Once we get everybody back and everyone clicking at once,” Dell said, “I feel like the sky’s the limit.”
Houston (5-1) still looked plenty potent last week during a 41-21 runaway win at New England that stretched the Texans’ winning streak to three games.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud sparked the attack once again, passing for three touchdowns, including one to Joe Mixon, who rushed for 102 yards and a TD.
Stefon Diggs and Dell also caught scoring passes from Stroud, who has 10 touchdown tosses against four interceptions this season to go with a 68.3 percent completion rate.
“I think he’s super talented,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “Obviously, he’s got the ability where the moment is not too big for him. He can process very fast, and he’s a very good anticipatory thrower, which I think is a bit of a lost art.”
Green Bay (4-2) figures to challenge that poise on Sunday.
The Packers’ defense is tops in the NFL with a plus-9 turnover differential. Safety Xavier McKinney leads the league with five interceptions.
“Very good defensive back group. Very physical. We know that coming in,” Dell said. “They’re ready to make plays. (McKinney) is leading the NFL in interceptions, so we know he wants to make a play on the ball. It’s a very good group going in, and we’re feeling confident. I know they’re going to feel confident, so it’s going to be a good battle.”
Green Bay rolled to a season-high point total last week in a 34-13 home win against the Arizona Cardinals.
Jordan Love matched his career best of four touchdown passes in the rout. Romeo Doubs snagged a pair of TDs, his first two of the season, after serving a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.
Doubs said after the game that he “was able to get back to my regular self.”
That’s a standing to which new Packers kicker Brandon McManus aspires, as well.
Green Bay this week signed the veteran after releasing rookie Brayden Narveson, who missed five of 17 field-goal attempts this season.
McManus spent 2023 with the Jacksonville Jaguars after kicking for the Denver Broncos from 2014-22. He has connected on 81.4 percent of his career field-goal tries, with a long of 61 yards.
“Every single day you have to prove yourself,” McManus said. “Kicker is such a black-and-white position.”
Houston’s depth on the D-line is fluctuating. Mario Edwards Jr. this week was suspended four games for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy, but Denico Autry is set to return from a six-game suspension for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
Green Bay leads the all-time series 4-1, including a 1-1 mark at home.
The Packers have won three straight against the Texans, with two of those games decided by at least 15 points.
LaFleur began his NFL coaching career as an offensive assistant with the Texans in 2008 and ‘09.
The Texans ruled out five players for Sunday: wide receiver Robert Woods (foot), linebackers Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) and Henry To’oTo’o (concussion), cornerback Kamari Lassiter (shoulder) and safety Jimmie Ward (groin). Receiver Steven Sims (back) and defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi (shoulder) are questionable.
The Packers won’t have defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt (ankle), while receiver Dontayvion Wicks (shoulder) and defensive lineman Colby Wooden (knee) are questionable. Starting left guard Elgton Jenkins (knee), who missed Wednesday’s practice and was limited Thursday, was a full participant Friday and carries no injury designation for the game.
