Quick Stats Summary
- Final Score: Packers 24, Texans 22
- Key Play: McManus 45-yard FG at 0:00
- Total Yards: GB 277, HOU 197
- Turnovers: GB 3, HOU 0
- Star Performers:
• Jordan Love: 3 TD passes (2 INT)
• Joe Mixon: 115 rush yards, 2 TD
• Eric Wilson: 2 sacks
• Romeo Doubs: 8 rec, 94 yards
Brandon McManus stood 45 yards from glory at Lambeau Field. Three seconds left. Packers trailing 22-21. The veteran kicker, signed just four days earlier, split the uprights as time expired on October 20, 2024, completing one of the NFL’s most improbable comeback victories that season.
Table of Contents
How The Game Unfolded
Green Bay won despite giving the ball away three times. Houston scored 16 points directly from those turnovers yet still lost. The Packers entered as 4-2 home favorites. The Texans arrived at 5-1, chasing their first four-game winning streak since 2018. By night’s end, both teams stood at 5-2, but only one felt victorious.
Game Flow by Quarter
| Quarter | Houston | Green Bay | Lead Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | 7 | 2 |
| 2nd | 16 | 7 | 3 |
| 3rd | 0 | 7 | 1 |
| 4th | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Total | 22 | 24 | 7 |
The statistical mismatch was staggering. Green Bay averaged 4.9 yards per play to Houston’s 3.4 yards. The Texans managed just 197 total yards – their second-lowest output all season.
Quarterbacks: Two Different Stories
Jordan Love’s Roller Coaster Performance
Love’s stat line reads like two different games stitched together. First half: 11/17, 130 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT. Second half: 13/16, 90 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT. His 95.5 passer rating masks the journey.
Jordan Love Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
| Quarter | Comp-Att | Yards | TD-INT | Rating | Big Plays |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4-7 | 54 | 0-1 | 30.1 | 23-yd to Doubs |
| 2nd | 7-10 | 76 | 1-1 | 77.9 | 30-yd TD to Wicks |
| 3rd | 7-9 | 68 | 2-0 | 144.9 | 14-yd TD to Kraft |
| 4th | 6-7 | 22 | 0-0 | 93.5 | Final drive magic |
| Total | 24-33 | 220 | 3-2 | 95.5 |
Neville Hewitt’s interception return to the Green Bay 11 spotted Houston an early field goal. Love’s second pick, grabbed by rookie Calen Bullock, led directly to Joe Mixon’s second touchdown. Yet Love never flinched. His touchdown passes went to three different receivers – Tucker Kraft (14 yards), Dontayvion Wicks (30 yards), and Josh Jacobs (8 yards).
The final drive showcased veteran poise. Starting at his own 30 with 1:44 remaining, Love completed 4 of 6 passes for 36 yards, moving Green Bay into field goal range against a defense that had rattled him all day.
C.J. Stroud’s Lambeau Nightmare
Houston’s sophomore quarterback posted career lows across the board. His 86 passing yards marked the fewest by any starting quarterback through Week 7. The 2.6 yards per attempt ranked dead last among all NFL starters.
C.J. Stroud Pressure Statistics
| Pressure Type | Occurrences | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Sacks | 4 | -31 yards |
| Throwaways | 3 | 0 yards |
| Hurried Throws | 8 | 4/8, 32 yards |
| Clean Pocket | 6 | 6/10, 54 yards |
Eric Wilson terrorized Houston’s pocket, recording two sacks on just 22 pass rush snaps. Xavier McKinney added a sack on his lone blitz. Rashan Gary’s consistent pressure forced multiple throwaways. Match Player Stats analysis confirms this as Stroud’s worst performance against the pass rush.
Ground Game: Volume vs. Efficiency
Joe Mixon’s Herculean Effort
Houston’s game plan was simple: give Mixon the ball and pray. He responded with 25 carries for 115 yards, accounting for 81% of Houston’s rushing attempts and 63% of their total offense.
Joe Mixon Touch Distribution
| Game Situation | Carries | Yards | Success Rate* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Quarter | 4 | 12 | 50% |
| 2nd Quarter | 8 | 51 | 62.5% |
| 3rd Quarter | 7 | 28 | 42.9% |
| 4th Quarter | 6 | 24 | 33.3% |
| Red Zone | 4 | 7 | 100% (2 TD) |
| 3rd/4th & Short | 3 | 8 | 66.7% |
| *Success Rate = Positive EPA plays | |||
Both Mixon touchdowns came after Green Bay turnovers gave Houston the ball inside the 12-yard line. His 32-yard burst in the second quarter represented Houston’s longest play from scrimmage. He added 2 catches for 9 yards, bringing his total touches to 27 – the most by any player in Week 7.
Green Bay’s Committee Approach
The Packers rode Josh Jacobs’ efficiency rather than volume. His 12 carries for 76 yards (6.3 YPC) included a crucial 27-yard run that set up Green Bay’s go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter.
Packers Rushing Attack Breakdown
| Runner | Carries | Yards | YPC | Long | 10+ Runs | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Jacobs | 12 | 76 | 6.3 | 27 | 3 | 0 |
| Emanuel Wilson | 5 | 11 | 2.2 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Others | 3 | -5 | -1.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Jacobs made history through the air. His 8-yard touchdown reception ended the longest drought in NFL history – 212 consecutive catches without finding the end zone. “We talked about it all week at practice,” Jacobs said postgame. “We had like three or four plays in the red zone designed for me.”
Receiving Production Under Pressure
Romeo Doubs Steps Up
With defenses keying on Christian Watson (limited to 1 catch), Doubs emerged as Love’s security blanket. His 8 receptions on 10 targets included two crucial catches on the game-winning drive.
Packers Pass Catchers Performance
| Receiver | Targets | Rec | Yards | YPT | Drops | Key Moments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romeo Doubs | 10 | 8 | 94 | 9.4 | 0 | 2 catches on final drive |
| Dontayvion Wicks | 6 | 3 | 48 | 8.0 | 1 | 30-yard TD |
| Josh Jacobs | 5 | 5 | 16 | 3.2 | 0 | First career TD catch |
| Tucker Kraft | 4 | 3 | 33 | 8.3 | 0 | 14-yard TD |
| Jayden Reed | 4 | 2 | 10 | 2.5 | 0 | 6-yard conversion |
Green Bay converted both red zone possessions into touchdowns, while Houston managed just 2 touchdowns on 4 red zone trips despite the short fields.
Houston’s Aerial Attack Grounded
Stefon Diggs’ pregame confrontation with Jaire Alexander and Keisean Nixon proved prophetic. The All-Pro receiver managed just 5 catches for 23 yards – his lowest output since 2019.
Texans Receiving Struggles
| Player | Routes Run | Targets | Rec | Yards | Separation (avg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stefon Diggs | 28 | 7 | 5 | 23 | 1.8 yards |
| Tank Dell | 24 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1.2 yards |
| Dalton Schultz | 15 | 2 | 1 | 28 | 3.1 yards |
| Joe Mixon | 12 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 2.4 yards |
Tank Dell’s shutout marked his first game without a catch since Week 3. Houston’s 86 team passing yards were the fewest allowed by Green Bay since 2019.
Defensive Performances That Defined The Game
Eric Wilson’s Career Day
Thrust into action after Quay Walker’s first-half concussion (caused by friendly fire from Kingsley Enagbare’s leg), Wilson delivered his best performance as a Packer.
Eric Wilson Impact Metrics
| Category | Performance | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Total Pressures | 5 | Led team |
| Sacks | 2 | Career high |
| QB Hits | 2 | Season high |
| Run Stops | 2 | 4+ yard loss |
| Coverage | 1 PBU | 0 yards allowed |
Green Bay’s defense held Houston to 3.4 yards per play – the second-best mark by any defense in Week 7 of the 2024 season. ESPN’s detailed analysis noted this as Green Bay’s most dominant defensive performance that year.
Houston’s Patchwork Defense Creates Chaos
Missing five starters would cripple most defenses. Houston lost linebackers Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To’oTo’o, cornerback Kamari Lassiter, safety Jimmie Ward, and suspended tackle Mario Edwards Jr.. Yet DeMeco Ryans’ unit created enough splash plays to keep Houston competitive.
Houston Defensive Standouts Despite Injuries
| Player | Snaps | Tackles | Big Plays | PFF Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neville Hewitt | 58 | 9 | 45-yd INT return | 78.4 |
| D’Angelo Ross | 62 | 8 | 2 PBUs | 71.2 |
| Derek Stingley Jr. | 64 | 6 | Shutdown coverage | 82.1 |
| Tim Settle Jr. | 41 | 4 | 1 sack, 2 TFL | 69.8 |
Hewitt, an emergency starter, delivered the game’s first momentum swing with his interception return. Calen Bullock added his third interception of the season, continuing his impressive rookie campaign.
Special Teams: The Difference Makers
McManus Delivers Under Maximum Pressure
Brandon McManus joined Green Bay on Wednesday after the team released Brayden Narveson (12/17 on field goals). His debut couldn’t have been more dramatic.
Kicking Under Pressure
| Kicker | Situation | Distance | Result | Pressure Rating* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbairn | Q2, 2:00 | 52 yards | Good | Medium |
| Fairbairn | Q4, 1:44 | 35 yards | Good | High |
| McManus | Q4, 0:03 | 45 yards | Good | Maximum |
| *Based on time, score, and game situation | ||||
“I always want a practice kick if I can,” McManus explained. Houston’s timeout before his first attempt gave him exactly that. He drilled both attempts, prompting Matt LaFleur to note: “He’s a vet and you can see it.”
The Punt That Changed Everything
Green Bay’s costliest mistake came via special teams. In the second quarter, Keisean Nixon muffed a Tommy Townsend punt. The ball caromed off Corey Ballentine, and M.J. Stewart recovered at the Green Bay 11-yard line. Two plays later, Mixon punched in his first touchdown.
Field Position Battle
| Starting Position | Houston | Green Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Own 1-20 | 2 | 4 |
| Own 21-40 | 6 | 5 |
| Own 41-50 | 1 | 1 |
| Opponent Territory | 3 | 1 |
| Average Start | HOU 28 | GB 24 |
Daniel Whelan’s booming punts (56.8 yard average) kept Houston from capitalizing on Green Bay’s offensive struggles. When the Packers went three-and-out on three consecutive possessions in the second half, Whelan’s leg prevented disaster. “When the defense is playing the way they were tonight, all those yards come up big time,” Love acknowledged.
Fourth Quarter Drama: Every Yard Mattered
Green Bay clung to a 21-19 lead entering the final frame. The next 15 minutes featured:
- Three consecutive punts (two by Green Bay, one by Houston)
- Four sacks between both teams
- One game-changing penalty
- Two field goals in the final 1:44
Will Anderson Jr.’s neutral zone infraction on third-and-4 with 2:00 remaining proved catastrophic. The five-yard penalty gave Green Bay a first down and transformed a potential 50-yard field goal into McManus’ manageable 45-yarder.
Critical Penalties Impact
| Time | Team | Penalty | Yards | Win Probability Swing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 14:54 | GB | Holding | 10 | -3.2% |
| Q1 11:48 | GB | Unsportsmanlike | 15 | -4.1% |
| Q4 9:45 | GB | Illegal Block | 10 | -5.8% |
| Q4 0:21 | HOU | Neutral Zone | 5 | -12.3% |
Notable Achievements from This Game
This October 2024 contest produced several milestones worthy of comprehensive statistical tracking:
- Jordan Love passed Cecil Isbell for 10th place in Packers career passing yards
- Josh Jacobs ended the NFL’s longest active streak without a receiving touchdown
- Xavier McKinney recorded his first sack since Week 8 of 2022
- Brandon McManus became the 12th kicker in NFL history to hit a game-winning field goal in his team debut
The Complete Statistical Picture
Team Efficiency Comparison
| Metric | Houston | Green Bay | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plays Run | 58 | 56 | HOU +2 |
| Total Yards | 197 | 277 | GB +80 |
| Yards/Play | 3.4 | 4.9 | GB +1.5 |
| Points/Drive | 1.83 | 2.18 | GB +0.35 |
| 3rd Down % | 30.8% | 40.0% | GB +9.2% |
| Red Zone TD% | 50% | 100% | GB +50% |
| Time of Possession | 31:17 | 28:43 | HOU +2:34 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 3 | HOU +3 |
Historical Significance and Season Impact
This October 2024 matchup proved pivotal for both franchises’ seasons. Both teams finished 5-2 after this game, setting the stage for their eventual playoff runs. Green Bay demonstrated championship resilience by overcoming three turnovers through defensive dominance and clutch special teams execution. Houston’s depleted defense kept them competitive, but their offensive struggles against elite pass rushes became a recurring theme.
The game exposed critical trends that defined both teams’ 2024 campaigns:
Green Bay’s Championship Formula
- Elite defense capable of winning despite offensive mistakes
- Clutch special teams play in crucial moments
- Balanced offensive attack when protecting the football
Houston’s Persistent Challenges
- Stroud took 11 sacks over a three-game stretch including this contest
- Over-reliance on Mixon’s rushing production
- Offensive line unable to handle premium pass rushers
Writing from July 2025, this game stands as a defining moment in the 2024 season. The Packers’ ability to win ugly foreshadowed their playoff success. Houston’s offensive limitations, exposed here against Green Bay’s pass rush, haunted them throughout the year.
The comprehensive player statistics from this Texans-Packers matchup prove why turnovers don’t always determine outcomes when one team dominates fundamental efficiency metrics across 60 minutes of football.
