Tag: Packers

Tua Tagovailoa ‘excited to kill narratives’ at frigid Lambeau Field

A cold night at Lambeau Field? “Bring it on,” says Tua Tagovailoa.

When the Miami Dolphins head to Wisconsin for a Thanksgiving game against the Green Bay Packers, the weather forecasts project an unsurprisingly chilly night at Lambeau Field.

According to The Weather Channel, the Dolphins should expect the temperature to be in the 20s at kickoff with wind gusts that’ll make it feel even colder. Tua Tagovailoa says he’s ready for the challenge.

“I’m excited to kill narratives, so let’s go. Bring it on,” Tagovailoa said Sunday after a 34-19 win against the New England Patriots. “We’ll enjoy this win, but this next one is going to be big for us, and we’re excited to go down to Green Bay and show everybody on primetime what we can do.”

The Dolphins have earned a reputation for high octane offense in the South Florida sunshine, but an inability to keep it firing on all cylinders it in the cold. Last season, Miami led the NFL in offensive yardage and was second in scoring, but their year came to an end with a 26-7 playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in freezing weather.

“Cold weather game. It’s going to be real football weather,” Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle said of the upcoming game in Green Bay. “They’re bringing their best. We’re bringing our best. Thursday night football, man, that’s what it’s all about.”

The Dolphins are riding a three-game win streak that has pulled them from a 2-6 start to the year into contention for a spot in the playoffs. But the Packers improved to 8-3 on Sunday with a blowout win against the San Francisco 49ers.

Failures in cold weather isn’t the only narrative the Dolphins will have to shake. The team also has a reputation for winning against subpar opponents, but failing to beat contenders.

Last season, the Dolphins were 10-1 against teams that finished with a losing record and 1-5 against opponents that ended the year above .500. So far in 2024, the 5-5 Los Angeles Rams are the only team the Dolphins beat that have more than three wins.

Miami is trying its best to erase a rough start to the season and the team has found its groove in the last couple weeks. But Thursday will say a lot about whether or not the team has actually turned a corner.

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49ers suffer biggest loss ever vs. Packers

The 49ers’ 28-point loss to the Packers on Sunday will go down in the history books.

The San Francisco 49ers’ 38-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers will go down in franchise history books. I

n their storied NFL rivalry, Sunday’s 38-10 loss in Green Bay was their worst loss to the Packers in franchise history, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN. In their 74-game series, the 49ers’ previous biggest blowout loss to the Packers came in the fashion of a 27-point loss in 1960.

Along with their historic loss, the 38-10 defeat to the Packers was the third biggest loss in the Kyle Shanahan era, per Wagoner.

Via @nwagoner on Twitter:

The 49ers were dominated in nearly every category on Sunday. The Packers ran 20 more plays than the 49ers and outgained them by 84 yards. The 49ers turned the ball over three times on Sunday and notched nine penalties for 77 yards during their ugly loss to the Packers in Green Bay.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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Comparing two hypothetical trade pitches for Chase Young

Chase Young’s contract makes him an appealing trade target and The 33rd Team has crafted two trade packages for the Saints edge rusher:

The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday afternoon. One of the New Orleans Saints players you’ll hear thrown around often is Chase Young. His one year contract makes him very appealing to a team looking to get over the hump this year but doesn’t want to be connected to him long term.

This was the team’s intention with Young when they signed him in free agency. The Saints didn’t trend the intended direction this year, but another team could view Young the same way.

The 33rd Team projected two potential suitors for Young, the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. Both of these teams are true NFC contenders. If both of these hypotheticals were on the table, the Saints should go with the Lions offer.

In this exercise, the Lions offered a fourth round pick while the Packers offered a fifth rounder. It’s an easy decision there. The Saints have a built-in relationship with the Lions and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them work together at the deadline. Matter of fact, Detroit has a need for the Saints biggest bargaining chips, Marshon Lattimore and Young. The trade deadline is 3 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Let’s see if the Saints cut a deal.

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All 32 NFL quarterbacks (including C.J. Stroud) ranked by Total QBR post Week 7

Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud remains one of the top passers in QBR rankings entering Week 8.

Houston Texans second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud needs a rebound this Sunday as the AFC South favorites return home.

While the Texans would love nothing more than to get back to their winning ways, Stroud just needs a moral boost. 

The former Offensive Rookie of the Year is coming off his worst performance since being drafted out of Ohio State in 2023. He completed 10-of-21 pass attempts for 86 yards and only picked up six first downs as the Texans fell to 5-2 in a 24-22 loss against the Green Bay Packers.

With that negative performance, Stroud dropped six spots from  No. 6 to No. 12 in ESPN’s Total QBR rankings this week. ESPN gave Stroud a 22.1 QBR rating against Green Bay, which marks the second-lowest score of his career.

Stroud’s traditional passer rating against New England was 58.8, which marked the second-lowest rating of his career. He posted a 54.8 rating in a 30-6 loss against the New York Jets after leaving early in the second quarter. 

The Total QBR differs from the traditional passer rating. According to ESPN, the QBR “incorporates all of a quarterback’s contributions to winning, including how he impacts the game on passes, rushes, turnovers and penalties.”

The metric also considers scenarios that a traditional passer rating overlooks and  looks at “a team’s level of success or failure on every play to provide the proper context and then allocates credit to the quarterback and his teammate to produce a clearer measure of quarterback efficiency.”

Through six games, Stroud’s thrown four interceptions and been sacked 20 times. Two turnovers came in the 34-7 loss against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3.

Here’s a look at where Stroud stacks up against the NFL’s other starting quarterbacks entering Week 8 when it comes to QBR.

NFL QBs ranked by Total QBR before Week 8

  1. Josh Allen: 77.6
  2. Lamar Jackson: 74.3
  3. Jayden Daniels: 73.7
  4. Joe Burrow: 72.6
  5. Kyler Murray: 68.7
  6. Derek Carr: 68.7
  7. Trevor Lawrence: 63.1
  8. Jalen Hurts: 63.1
  9. Patrick Mahomes: 61.2
  10. Geno Smith: 61.1
  11. Brock Purdy: 60.9
  12. C.J. Stroud: 60.2
  13. Kirk Cousins: 59.4
  14. Jordan Love: 58.8
  15. Jared Goff: 57.3
  16. Baker Mayfield: 56.7
  17. Andy Dalton: 56.2
  18. Sam Darnold: 55.1
  19. Matthew Stafford: 54.4
  20. Justin Fields: 53.3
  21. Justin Herbert: 52.6
  22. Bo Nix: 49.2
  23. Dak Prescott: 48.9
  24. Aaron Rodgers: 48.9
  25. Daniel Jones: 47.0
  26. Caleb Williams: 46.4
  27. Anthony Richardson: 42.9
  28. Jacoby Brissett: 40.3
  29. Gardner Minshew: 33.6
  30. Will Levis: 27.5
  31. Deshaun Watson: 23.5

Stroud and the Texans will take on the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium at noon CT.

Packers 24, Texans 22: Game balls, play of the game

Here’s the Texans’ Player of the Game following Week 7’s loss on the road to the Green Bay Packers.

For the first time in 2024, the Houston Texans have been on the opposing side of a game-winning kick. 

Brandon McManus, who signed earlier this week with the Green Bay Packers, drilled a 45-yard field goal as time expired to secure a 24-22 victory at Lambeau Field. 

Houston’s offense barely had life. The defense created two turnovers and the special teams were special, especially M.J. Stewart’s fumble recovery inside Green Bay’s red zone.

Not all is terrible for the Texans as they fall to 5-2 entering Week 8’s matchup at home against the Indianapolis Colts. 

It’s time to hand out game balls and pick the play of the game:

Game balls

Offense: RB Joe Mixon — This is the only correct answer because Mixon was the only consistent player Sunday. He averaged 4.9 yards per attempt, capitalized on several third-and-short runs and pushed ahead for two touchdowns in the first half.

When Mixon is healthy, the Texans’ offense could be considered one of the league’s best. Sunday marked the third 100-yard rushing performance for the former Bengals’ star and the third game where he’s averaged over 22 carries and 4.5 yards per attempt. Last season, the Texans were one of the worst rushing attacks in the NFL.

Entering Week 8, they rank 16th in yards per attempt, 15th in rushing yards per game and 11th in rushing touchdowns.  That’s mainly because of Mixon’s ability to win at the point of attack and explosive runs in space. 

Defense: LB Neville Hewitt — Thrust into a full-time role after Azeez Al-Shaair left last week’s win over New England, Hewitt has been a tackling machine. He also showed off his hands with an early interception after Jordan Love’s pass was broken up by Jalen Pitre to set up a Ka’imi Fairbairn field goal in the first quarter. Hewitt finished with eight tackles, two pass breakups and an interception. He also helped force two thrid-down stops that led to a punt from Daniel Whelan. 

Special teams: DB M.J. Stewart — Situational awareness was essential in Sunday’s outing for Houston to put up points. Seventeen of the Texans’ 22 points came off turnovers, with perhaps the game-changer being on a muffed punt recovered by M.J. Stewart. The ball hit Corey Ballentine’s leg and became live. Perfectly, Stewart pounced on the ball to set up a 4-yard touchdown run from Mixon later in the drive. 

Play of the game

After starting off the final drive with a few conservative runs, the Texans were facing a 3rd-and-10 and just were pushed out of field goal range. Stroud barely had time to survey the field before a pair of Packers defenders were in his face. 

On the run, Stroud found an open Xavier Hutchinson near the sideline and delivered a strike. The ball was low, so Hutchinson dove to avoid contact with the defenders and secured the ball. 

A fresh of downs and three plays later, Houston led by two with just under two minutes remaining in the game. If the play-calling was a bit more aggressive, perhaps the Texans would be up by five, thus forcing Jordan Love and the Packers to go for the end zone. 


Still, it was a quality reception for Hutchinson as the de facto No. 3 target. 

Watch: Texans RB Joe Mixon dismantles Packers defense for second TD

Joe Mixon has been the definition of a stud for the Houston Texans’ offense through four games this season.

The Houston Texans are hard to stop when they have a ground game.

When Joe Mixon is in the huddle, Houston might be the most complete offense in the NFL.

Mixon capped off a promising second quarter with his second touchdown run of the game, this time from 4 yards out, to put the Texans back in front by six over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

So far, Mixon’s basically handled business and taken the Packers’ lunch money and made them beg for mercy.

Houston has trusted its defense to force turnovers and give the offense a second opportunity. Nevile Hewitt picked off Packers star Jordan Love on the opening drive to set up a Ka’imi Fairbairn field goal.

Just before Mixon’s 32-yard run to eventually set up the score, Calen Bullock recorded his third pick of the regular season. Surprisingly, takeaways were the subject of conversation, but more so for C.J. Stroud.

Green Bay entered Sunday with an NFL-leading 17 takeaways, including nine interceptions.

The Packers defense has created problems for Stroud and the passing game. While he’s 5-of-11 for 44 yards, the Texans continue to trust the ground game with Mixon.

He finished the first half with 81 yards rushing on 11 carries and two touchdowns. That’s an average over 7.6 yards per attempt.

With a win, the Texans would advance to 6-1, marking their best start since 2012.

Watch: Texans RB Joe Mixon continues dominance with TD run vs. Packers

Joe Mixon remains the bell cow for the Houston Texans’ offense entering halftime at Lambeau Field.

Joe Mixon is cashing in on being the Houston Texans top running back.

The Texans are cashing in on the Green Bay Packers‘ mistakes.

Following a muffed punt recovered by the defensive back M.J. Stewart, Mixon punched in a 2-yard touchdown to give Houston a 10-7 lead at Lambeau Field.

The only downside of the play? His Lambeau Leap was foiled thanks to the Packers’ faithful keeping him out of the stands.

Since returning from injury, Mixon has lived up to billing as being the top option for Houston’s ground game. He finished with 102 yards and a touchdown run in Week 6’s victory over the New England Patriots. Mixon also caught two passes for 30 yards and a touchdown reception in the second half.

As the Texans enter the second half, Mixon remains the head honcho on offense. He’s averaging 7.4 yards per run with three first-down conversions.

The Texans will start the second half on offense while looking to improve to 6-1.

Watch: Texans M.J. Stewart recover fumble on muffed Packers punt

Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart was the one to fall on the loose ball, recording the second takeaway against the Green Bay Packers.

The Houston Texans needed to steal possessions to protect its depleted defense from the Green Bay Packers offense.

Special teams call for special plays.

Packers return man Keisean Nixon elected not to catch the ball in the air and it bounced off teammate Corey Ballentine. Multiple players from each team jumped on the live ball, but Texans M.J. Stewart was the one to record the fumble recovery.

Houston has now forced six takeaways in the last six quarters after totaling just three in the first five games.

Stewart’s fumble recovery is Houston’s first special teams takeaway of the season.

Stewart’s fumble recovery is his first since Week 1 of the 2023 season against the Baltimore Ravens.

Both takeaways against the Packers have set Houston’s offense up inside the Packers red zone.

The Texans will start the second half on offense.

Texans vs. Packers, Week 7 injury report: Wednesday

Here’s the injury report from Wednesday’s practice in preparation for the Houston Texans’ matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

Here are the full injury reports for the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers ahead of their Week 7 matchup at Lambeau Field:

Houston Texans (4-1)

Did not practice

  • LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee)
  • WR Robert Woods (foot)
  • CB Kamari Lassiter (shoulder)
  • LB Henry To’oTo’o (concussion)
  • DB Jimmie Ward (groin)
  • DL Foley Fatukasi (shoulder)

Limited participation

  • RB Joe Mixon (ankle)
  • LB Del’Shawn Phillips (hip)
  • OT Laremy Tunsil (ankle)

Green Bay Packers (4-2)

Did not practice

  • DL Devonte Wyatt (ankle)
  • OL Elton Jenkins (knee)
  • DL Colby Wooden (knee)

Limited participation

  • CB Jaire Alexander (groin)
  • DL Kenny Clark (toe)
  • TE  Tucker Kraft (groin)
  • C Josh Myers (ankle)
  • WR Jayden Reed (ankle)
  • WR Dontayvion Wicks (shoulder)
  • WR Christian Watson (ankle)

Full participant

  • DL Jonathan Ford (calf)

Kickoff from Lambeau Field is scheduled for noon CT. The Packers open as a -2.5-point favorite, according to BetMGM.

Texans embracing challenge of facing Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love

The Houston Texans know that Sunday’s battle against Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love will be cinematic.

Through six games this season, the Houston Texans’ defense has been up to the task of making life hell for opposing quarterbacks.

Minnesota Vikings journeyman Sam Darnold is the only passer to present problems to the Texans en route to a 5-1 record. He threw four touchdown passes and completed over 70% of his throws in what became the worst loss of the DeMeco Ryans era.

Other than that, life’s been grand whenever facing a gunslinger on Sundays.

Chicago Bears starter and No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams tossed two interceptions and was sacked seven times in a 19-13 victory back on Sunday Night Football

Buffalo Bills star and potential MVP favorite Josh Allen completed nine pass attempts and totaled a season-low 131 yards.

Jacksonville Jaguars starter Trevor Lawrence looked lost in a 24-20 loss back in Week 4 after completing 54.6% of his throws.

And Will Anderson Jr. made sure to give No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye his “welcome to the NFL” moment with three sacks in Sunday’s win. Maye also tossed two interceptions and coughed up a fumble on a Danielle Hunter stip-sack.

Yes, the Texans look to have one of the league’s toughest defenses. Now comes their toughest test at Lambeau Field on Sunday afternoon: Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love.

“Going against Jordan Love this week, he will be the best quarterback we’ve seen this year,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “It will be a really, really tough matchup.”

Believing that Love is a better quarterback than Allen would be considered a bold take, but that doesn’t mean it’s entirely wrong. The numbers would back it up.

After sitting for three seasons behind four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, Love has transformed into one of the league’s most dangerous men with a football. He completed 64.2% of his throws for 4,159 yards and 32 touchdown passes against 11 interceptions while leading Green Bay back to the postseason in 2023.

When on the field, Love has lived up to the billing of his four-year, $220 million extension. He’s second in the league in touchdown passes (12) and yards per game (282.7), despite missing two games with a knee injury in Week 1’s against Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil.

If there is a caveat to slowing down Love, it’s his turnover ratio. Despite ranking second in passing touchdowns, he also ranks second in interceptions with six.

“Jordan Love is a talented, talented quarterback,” rookie safety Calen Bullock said Monday. “I think everybody knows that. He’s in a good area with Green Bay. He has a good receiver corps that he believes in.”

Much like C.J. Stroud, Love has options on offense. Five different receivers have at least 10 catches through six games. Three players, including recently reinstated Romeo Doubs, are averaging over 12.8 yards per catch and have at least two touchdown receptions.

“A lot of passing out of those guys, and we know we got to be up for that challenge,” Bullock said.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon.