The Green Bay Packers dug an early hole against the Houston Texans, and made far too many mistakes for a team of their caliber. Ultimately, it did not matter as Brandon McManus made a 45-yard field goal as time expired to give the Packers a 24-22 win.
If last Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals was the textbook edition of starting fast, the Green Bay Packers did the exact opposite this week against the Houston Texans.
Penalties and mistakes plagued them in the first quarter, as they trailed 3-0.
The slow start did not extend into the second quarter.
Jordan Love threw a seed to Tucker Kraft for the first touchdown of the day.
A back-and-forth affair ensued from there. The Packers were sloppy and made a ton of mistakes, but still led 21-19 going into the fourth quarter.
A late drive from Jordan Love and the offense put them in position to make a game-winning field goal.
McManus delivered, and the Packers were 24-22 winners over the Houston Texans.
Game Ball: Eric Wilson
In a game billed as a showdown between two of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, it was a waiver wire linebacker that stole the show.
Eric Wilson was asked to do more today due to Quay Walker leaving the game with a concussion.
Wilson did what he's always done when given an opportunity in Green Bay.
He shined.
All of Houston's possessions in the third quarter were ended by Wilson.
Wilson had two sacks, and one pass breakup, all of which came on third downs in those possessions.
Wilson has never been more than a role player during his career.
He was brought to Green Bay to primarily be a staple on special teams.
Today? He might've been the most impactful defender on the field.
Lame Ball: Keisean Nixon
The Packers led 7-3 with a chance to seize all of the momentum in a game between two of the top teams in the NFL.
Looking for a way to get the ball into Nixon's hands, Rich Bisaccia sent him back to return a punt.
Nixon did not catch the ball. He did not signal for a fair catch.
He did not give signals to his teammates to get away from the ball.
He simply backed away at the last moment, and the bouncing ball hit Corey Ballentine.
The fumble was recovered by MJ Stewart, and the Texans scored a touchdown two plays later to lead 10-7.
Green Bay had a chance to take a 14-3 lead with another touchdown drive, but instead had to play from behind due to a mistake by one of their veterans on special teams.
Those are the types of plays that cannot happen from someone that has earned as much trust as Nixon has from the coaching staff.
Pivot Point: Packers sign Brandon McManus
It's rare that a game can change before it even starts, but in this case, it did.
Brandon McManus was signed earlier this week to replace the struggling Brayden Narveson.
After an 8-play 44-yard drive from Jordan Love in the offense put the Packers' new kicker in position to make a 45-yard field goal.
Would Brayden Narveson have made that kick? Who knows, but it's clear Gutekunst and the coaching staff would have been nervous, at minimum, if Narveson had to make the kick.
Instead, Narveson's replacement, Brandon McManus drilled a 45-yard field goal as time expired to win 24-22 over the Houston Texans.
Play of the Game: Jordan Love finds Tucker Kraft
Sometimes you see a throw and instantly know what makes a quarterback special.
Jordan Love's first touchdown pass of the game certainly applies.
Love's game started with a bad decision that led to an interception essentially gifting the Texans their first points of the game.
That tied Love for the league's lead in interceptions with seven.
The good, however, outweighs the bad.
