Game recap: 5 takeaways from Packers’ walk-off win over Texans

3. The defensive effort was dynamite.

The 22 points the Texans scored don’t speak to how well the Packers’ defense played. Green Bay allowed Houston just 197 total yards, a 4-of-13 conversion rate on third downs, and a 58.8 passer rating for quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Dealing with an aggressive pass rush much of the game, Stroud threw for just 86 yards on 10-of-21 completions and was sacked four times for minus-31 yards. Running back Joe Mixon (25 carries, 115 yards, two TDs) was the lone offensive player who gave the Packers trouble.

“The defense played phenomenal,” Love said. “The rush package that we had out there was doing a great job of getting home.”

Added LaFleur, who awarded a game ball to new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley after the game: “We did not allow C.J. to get comfortable. He is a real guy in this league and he’s going to be for a really long time.

“We just put immense pressure on him. That’s what it looked like to me.”

The Texans were gifted 10 points by two early giveaways, an interception and botched punt return, with both Houston possessions starting on the Green Bay 11-yard line. The defense held the Texans to a field goal on the first one. The Packers also stopped the Texans in the red zone just after the two-minute warning down the stretch, so Green Bay’s deficit was just one point with 1:44 left.

Two other times, the Texans were within or on the edge of field-goal range and got knocked backwards by third-down sacks, Quay Walker (concussion).

Shifting back to full-time duty, Eric Wilson finished with two sacks and four total tackles for loss in a standout performance.

“He is the consummate pro in terms of always knowing what to do and then being able to when called upon go out there and deliver,” LaFleur said of Wilson. “I’m really proud of him. We’re lucky to have a guy like that on our team.”

4. The ups and downs on offense carried all the way to the end.

Love threw three touchdown passes, including two pinpoint throws to tight end Tucker Kraft and receiver Dontayvion Wicks. Plus he found running back Josh Jacobs for his first career receiving TD.

But two interceptions were no doubt damaging, as were the three straight three-and-outs deep in Green Bay territory in the second half when one good drive could’ve given the Packers some breathing room. Love also was sacked three times while throwing for 220 yards (95.5 rating).

Ultimately it came down to delivering in the clutch, after the Texans had driven 45 yards in 6½ minutes for a field goal to take a 22-21 lead.

From his own 30, Love completed 4-of-7 for 39 yards, putting the rough moments from the day behind him to execute when it was needed most.

“I just talked to him about it – that’s his superpower,” LaFleur said. “No matter what’s happened, whether it’s good or bad, he continues to fight and be resilient. The moment’s never too big for him.”