NFL Week 7 live updates: Patriots-Jaguars from Wembley, Haason Reddick holdout ends, league schedule, predictions, odds
The Green Bay Packers’ decision to sign kicker Brandon McManus this week paid off as the veteran hit a 45-yard field goal as time expired to give his team a 24-22 win against the Houston Texans.
McManus was signed earlier this week to compete with undrafted rookie Brayden Narveson, who missed five field goals in the first six games. McManus ultimately won the job and then won the Packers their fifth game of the season.
McManus’ field goal came less than two minutes after Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairburn hit a go-ahead kick to put the Texans ahead 22-21. The Packers’ comeback win was fueled by a strong second half from Green Bay running back Josh Jacobs, who finished with over 90 total yards and his first career receiving touchdown.
211 CAREER CATCHES LATER, JOSH JACOBS FINALLY HAS A RECEIVING TD!
📺: #HOUvsGB on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/31Q3eFpsMs— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2024
Good Love, bad Love
Packers quarterback Jordan Love needs to clean it up, despite the win.
For as much good as there has been from Love this season after he signed a $220 million contract extension this offseason, there has been just as much bad. He took the NFL lead for most interceptions on Sunday with two more, and he’s only played five of seven games. Some of Love’s picks have been particularly perplexing and against the Texans, he appeared to be fooled again by a flat defender dropping off his route to force a pop up that the Texans picked off and turned into three points after returning it 45 yards to Green Bay’s 11-yard line.
Love’s second pick came when he sailed a deep ball over wide receiver Christian Watson and right to safety Calen Bullock on first and 10 while under pressure. The Texans turned that interception into six points. The Packers aren’t going to take the reins off of Love because his aggressiveness benefits them plenty, and his arm helped march them down the field for the win on a two-minute drive, but he also has to be smarter and better going forward. — Schneidman, Packers beat writer
Special teams still a concern
Green Bay’s special teams units were a disaster, aside from McManus. Defensive end Arron Mosby’s holding penalty negated Keisean Nixon’s 39-yard return on the opening kickoff. Nixon was indecisive on a punt return and backed off at the last second without communicating to his protection to get away, so the ball bounced in front of Nixon, off cornerback Corey Ballentine’s legs and the Texans recovered at Green Bay’s 11 before scoring a touchdown two plays later.
Kickoff coverage allowed a 42-yard return that the Texans turned into three points. To top off a brutal day, punt returner Jayden Reed caught a punt tracking backward 1 yard into the end zone and only returned it to the Packers’ 4-yard line before they went three and out. — Schneidman
Mixon’s presence felt
Mixon had an efficient day on the ground against a run defense known for being porous since Matt LaFleur took over as Packers coach in 2019. The veteran ran 25 times for 115 yards and two touchdowns, good for 4.6 yards per rush
Against the Packers, he once again showed that the Texans are a different offense with him in the backfield. — Schneidman
Required reading
- NFL Power Rankings Week 7: How good are Ravens, Lions? Plus more big questions
- Packers rookie review: Evan Williams impresses, Edgerrin Cooper rising through 6 games
- How the Packers lead the NFL in takeaways with the help of ‘Campy 3:16’
(Photo: Patrick McDermott / Getty Images)
