Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers: Five players who must step up vs. Texans

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:44 p.m. ET

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Too many Green Bay Packers have fallen short of expectations, and this trend must end to beat the Houston Texans.

Losing four straight was never in the game script. Neither was entering December third in the NFC North, two games behind the leading Detroit Lions.

Yet here we are, the Packers entering yet another must-win game. Should they survive this stretch and go on to win the division, maybe this adversity will help them. An outsider looking only at the Packers’ regular season performances in 2010 and 2011 would conclude they were more likely to win the Super Bowl in 2011, but the reality was entirely different.

Green Bay’s performance at Philadelphia last week captured everything fans hoped to see from this team. The lack of a reliable run game is evident, but Mike McCarthy has adapted the Packers’ scheme to great success over the past month.

To overcome Houston this week and make a run for the NFC North title, the Packers need key players to elevate their game. Injuries may have exposed a lack of depth at certain positions, but it’s time for a number of players to fill the void.

These five players must step up on Sunday.

Nov 28, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Green Bay Packers running back James Starks (44) runs with the ball against Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker Nigel Bradham (53) during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. The Green Bay Packers won 27-13. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

James Starks

When Aaron Rodgers takes the ball from center, opposing defenses know there’s less chance than ever it’s destined for the running back. Per Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, Mike McCarthy “has called pass plays on 72 percent of his offensive snaps, compared to 28 percent traditional run plays” this season. From 2006 to 2015 that number was between 62 and 66 percent, with the lone exception coming in 2013, when Rodgers missed half the year with a broken collarbone.

The reason behind the dramatic rise in passing attempts isn’t because McCarthy doesn’t want to run a balanced offense. Quite the opposite. Since Eddie Lacy hurt his ankle, the Packers have lacked a legitimate threat on the ground, ranking 23rd in rushing offense with just four touchdowns, three belonging to the quarterback.

James Starks needs to elevate his game. Averaging just 2.5 yards per carry from his 57 attempts, the Packers should have no fears of seeing a stacked box anytime soon.

Given the defensive struggles, winning time of possession by executing long, sustained drives becomes all the more important. Running the football successfully allows you to do this.

With Lacy on the shelf the rest of the year, the Packers need Starks to step up.

Nov 28, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews (81) makes a reception past Green Bay Packers cornerback Damarious Randall (23) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Damarious Randall

Green Bay’s secondary drew excitement throughout the offseason. A trio of Sam Shields, Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins at corner set the table for arguably one of the league’s premier defensive backfields.

How wrong we were. Shields’ season-ending injury suffered in Week 1 didn’t help, but neither Randall nor Rollins have yet pushed on from successful rookie seasons. Flashes of excellence last season led many to believe the pair were on a path to stardom. Maybe this will eventually be proved right, but the 2016 season offers little evidence.

Injuries could be to blame. Randall’s groin issue shelved him for six games, an injury that required midseason surgery. He looked rusty upon return in Philadelphia last week, but the hope is after six days more to heal, he’ll show flashes of the 2015 season.

The Packers secondary faces a tough assignment this week. Ignore the Texans’ offensive struggles. They enter Lambeau with a dangerous trio of pass catchers, all of whom complement one another.

From DeAndre Hopkins’ crisp route-running to his ability to make contested catches, he’s consistently tough to cover. Will Fuller’s deep speed needs attention, as does fellow rookie Braxton Miller’s threat after the catch.

A healthier Randall needs to lead a depleted secondary in the absence of Sam Shields. Shields won’t be back this year, if at all, the defensive backfield lacking a leader. Maybe it’ll be the former first-round pick.

Nov 20, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) stands on the field during pre game warm ups prior to the Packers

Clay Matthews

Clay Matthews has been banged up all season, and suffered another injury last week in Philadelphia. He’s officially listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, although the expectation is he suits up.

Beyond injuries, the six-time Pro Bowler has struggled to dominate as he’s done in years past. Washington’s backup left tackle, Ty Nsekhe, silenced Matthews two weeks ago.

After a slow start in Philadelphia including a move to inside linebacker, as well as temporarily exiting the game with another injury, Matthews returned with one sack and a tackle for loss.

His shoulder injury is the latest to a long line of ailments the 30-year-old has dealt with this season, but it’s one he’s expected to play through.

Matthews’ days of posting double-digit sacks may be behind him, but he’s still a major piece to Dom Capers’ defense. Mike Daniels’ dominance could make him the most talented player on this side of the ball, but it’s Matthews’ pass-rushing ability the unit cries out for.

Winning up front is a key to defeating the Texans. With a host of talented pass catchers, Brock Osweiler can’t be afforded time in the pocket. Prone to turnovers, consistent pressure will lead the Packers to victory.

It starts with Matthews.

Nov 20, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Jared Cook (89) catches a pass as Washington Redskins running back Keith Marshall (39) defends in the third quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 42-24. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Jared Cook

To date, Jared Cook’s arrival in Green Bay can be considered a disappointment. Outside of a 105-yard, one-touchdown performance at Washington, Cook has only caught more than a single pass on one occasion, a four-reception, 31-yard outing at Minnesota in Week 2.

An ankle injury halted Cook’s progress ahead of the Packers’ bye in Week 3, but his production when healthy has been patchy at best. There’s no denying his speed and athleticism, and a dominant display in Washington showcased his potential in an Aaron Rodgers-led offense.

Yet just a week after 11 targets were fired his way, he received just two against the Eagles. Maybe this was simply due to Davante Adams’ dominance, but Cook’s failure to backup a strong performance isn’t new to 2016.

After kicking off the 2013 season with an 141-yard, two-touchdown display for the Rams, he followed it up with one catch for 10 yards a week later. Cook lit up the Washington defense in 2014, hauling in two touchdown passes. An underwhelming encore followed to the tune of three catches for 22 yards.

For Cook to become the matchup nightmare the Packers hoped he’d be when they signed him last spring, he must produce on a consistent basis.

Sep 25, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Perry (53) during the game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Perry

Finally healthy, Nick Perry’s red-hot start to the season inspired belief he may finally live up to his first-round potential. Yet after notching 4.5 sacks in four games to start the season, he’d register just 1.5 over the next five.

Perry’s strength makes him hard to move against the run, but the Packers need to see more from him as a pass rusher entering the home stretch of the season.

A healthy Clay Matthews appears to have helped: Perry has a sack in both games since his return to the lineup. Matthews commands attention from offensive coordinators, often drawing double-teams which leaves Perry in favorable one-on-one situations.

Due to the secondary’s struggles to hold coverage, the Packers must win up front. Perry’s role against both the run and rushing the passer is key to disrupting the play before it develops.

Brock Osweiler is tied for the league-lead in interceptions (13), and hurrying his throws is the easiest way to ensure more follow on Sunday.

Matthews takes on a big responsibility rushing the passer, but the Packers also need Perry to rediscover his early-season form.