Aaron Rodgers reverted back to his 2011 form at Reliant Stadium last night and that was good news for the Green Bay Packers (3-3), who beat the Houston Texans (5-1), 42-21. Rodgers tied Matt Flynn’s single game Packers record with six touchdown passes. The quarterback threw three scoring passes to receiver Jordy Nelson, two to receiver James Jones and also hit tightend Tom Crabtree for a touchdown. Against the NFL‘s fourth ranked pass defense, Rodgers completed 24 of 37 passes for 338 yards.
The Packers jumped out to a 14-0 lead after the first quarter and led 21-10 at halftime. Both teams exchanged touchdowns in the third quarter before the Packers put the game away by scoring 14 points in the first three minutes of the fourth.
Nelson finished with nine catches for 121 yards and its the second time in his career that he has caught three touchdown passes in a single game. Jones had his third straight game with two touchdowns and he has now tied his single season high with seven touchdowns. Randall Cobb added seven catches for 102 yards and Alex Green ran for 65 yards on 22 carries. Linebacker A.J. Hawk, and defensive ends C.J. Wilson and Jerel Worthy all recorded sacks. Casey Hayward intercepted two passes and Sam Shields also had an interception.
The Packers are now a game and a half behind the Bears in the NFC North. The Packers will close out their stretch of three consecutive road games Sunday when they take on the Rams (3-3) in Saint Louis. Kickoff is at noon.
Notes:
Already playing without receiver Greg Jennings (groin) and B.J. Raji (ankle), the Packers had four more players go down with injuries. Linebackers Nick Perry (knee) and D.J. Smith (kneee), corner Sam Shields (shin) and running back Brandon Saine (knee) all left Sunday night’s game.
Packers Tim Masthay had his first blocked punt of his NFL career. The block came in the fourth quarter and was recovered by the Texans in the endzone for a touchdown.
The Packers are now 5-0 all-time at Houston. Two of those wins have come against the Texans.
The Packers are now 2-1 all-time against the Texans.
NFC North Scoreboard:
Minnesota (4-2) lost at Washington, 38-26
Detroit (2-4) won at Philadelphia, 26-23 (OT)
Chicago (4-1) had the bye this week
