The Green Bay Packers pulled out a 24-22 victory over the Houston Texans in a tightly contested game, with Brandon McManus kicking a 45-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the game.
Brandon McManus on His Packers Debut
This was McManus' first game with the Packers after being signed earlier in the week to replace rookie Brayden Narveson. McManus connected on the winning field goal twice, as the first time was negated by a timeout called by the Texans, but he showed his composure and repeated the successful kick as time expired.
The win improved Green Bay's record to 5-2, while the Texans, now also 5-2, suffered their second loss of the season.
The game was marked by turnovers, solid defenses and a constant alternation in scoreboard control. In the first half, the Packers struggled, committing three turnovers, including two interceptions and a fumble on a punt return, contributing to a 19-14 halftime deficit.
Despite these mistakes, Green Bay managed to keep the game within reach, thanks to timely plays on offense and a defense that forced Houston to settle for field goals at key moments.
After halftime, the Packers came out strong, scoring on their first series with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Love to running back Josh Jacobs. However, the offensive momentum faded over the course of the second half, resulting in multiple clears, three of them from inside their own 15-yard line.
The two teams engaged in a defensive battle during the third and fourth quarters, with Green Bay's defense showing resiliency by repeatedly slowing down the Texans' offenses. The Packers got key catches, including those by Rashan Gary and Eric Wilson, and a decisive blitz by safety Xavier McKinney that knocked the Texans out of field goal range in the first quarter.
Last Series
The final series of the game began after Houston took a narrow 22-21 lead with 1:44 to play. The Packers, starting from their own 30-yard line and with only one timeout, got important completions from Jordan Love to Tucker Kraft, Dontayvion Wicks and Romeo Doubs, efficiently advancing into field goal range.
A costly offside penalty on Houston defensive wing Will Anderson Jr. gave Green Bay more yards, setting the stage for McManus to connect on the winning field goal.
Jordan Love had an efficient performance, completing 24 of 33 passes for 220 yards, with three touchdowns and two interceptions, finishing with a passer rating of 95.5. Romeo Doubs was their leading receiver, leading the team with eight receptions for 95 yards, including a crucial 12-yard reception on the final series of the game.
Josh Jacobs contributed significantly on the ground with 12 carries for 76 yards, plus a 5-yard touchdown reception, the first of his career. Dontayvion Wicks also stood out with a 30-yard touchdown reception, his team-high fourth touchdown reception of the season.
Tucker Kraft added a 14-yard touchdown reception in the first half.
As for the Houston Texans, quarterback C.J. Stroud struggled throughout the game, completing just 10 of 21 passes for 86 yards, with a passer rating of 58.8. Running back Joe Mixon was Houston's most outstanding player, with 25 carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Despite Mixon's effort, Houston's aerial game never found its rhythm, and star receiver Stefon Diggs was limited to just 23 yards on five receptions.
Meeting Summary
The Texans started the game strong, taking an early 3-0 lead in the first quarter after a 23-yard field goal by Kai Fairbairn, which was set up by an interception by linebacker Neville Hewitt, who returned the ball 45 yards to the Packers' 11-yard line.
The Packers responded in the second quarter with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Love to Tucker Kraft, capping a 13-play, 92-yard drive, Green Bay's longest of the season. The Texans responded with a 3-yard touchdown run by Joe Mixon after a Packers special teams error, regaining a 10-7 lead.
Green Bay took the lead again with a 30-yard touchdown reception from Wicks, but a second Mixon ground touchdown, followed by a failed two-point conversion attempt, left the Texans with a 19-14 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, Green Bay took the lead again with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Love to Jacobs, leaving the score at 21-19. The Packers defense stepped up from that point on, putting pressure on Stroud and forcing multiple clears.
Catches and tackles for loss, particularly by Kenny Clark and Eric Wilson, frustrated the Houston offense. A late 35-yard field goal by Fairbairn gave Houston a 22-21 lead with less than two minutes to play, setting the stage for Green Bay's winning series.
The participating teams of the Club World Cup 2025! 🌎🏆
🐐 #LionelMessi 's #InterMiami will be the host club in the tournament.
🎟 The last ticket will go to the champion of the #Libertadores 2024. pic.twitter.com/FltxSLgb1s- Betcris (@Betcris) October 21, 2024
Injuries
On the injury front, Packers linebacker Quay Walker left the game in the second quarter after a pass play to Stefon Diggs and did not return.
Eric Wilson took Walker's place and played a key role on defense, contributing important tackles and pass breakups in the second half.
The game was defined by the Packers' ability to execute under pressure, and the addition of McManus proved decisive in this tight 24-22 victory.
