The Green Bay Packers will face one of their toughest tests of the season when they take on the 5-1 Houston Texans on Sunday.
While Houston will be without top receiver Nico Collins, their offense will still have plenty of firepower with CJ Stroud, Joe Mixon, Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs.
Green Bay is coming off a dominant win over the Arizona Cardinals and would like nothing more than to secure a signature win in Week 7. But to do that, they’ll need to protect Jordan Love from Houston’s pass rush, who already has 19 sacks this season.
If the Packers want to get things done on Sunday, here are three key matchups to watch:
DT Kenny Clark vs. Houston’s interior O-line
Clark is still waiting for his first sack of the season, but leads the team with 14 pressures through the first six games. This could be the week Clark breaks into the sack category thanks to a favorable matchup against Houston’s vulnerable interior. Guards Kenyon Green and Shaq Mason combined to allow four sacks. The sophomore left tackle has allowed two sacks and 25 pressures this season. Starting center Juice Scruggs also gave up a pair of sacks and eight pressures. Perhaps this will be a breakout week for Clark.
Lt. Rasheed Walker vs. Edge Will Anderson Jr.
Walker has done well in pass protection, allowing just one sack, but penalties are an issue with six on the season. He’ll have to play tough against Will Anderson Jr., who leads the team with 5.5 sacks and 26 pressures. Anderson was a disruptive force, and with Zach Tom’s play, you can expect Anderson to play against Walker for most of the game. The team showed a lot of confidence in Walker when they released five-time All-Pro David Bakhtiari in the offseason. Now they need him to step in difficult and protect Jordan Love.
CB Jaire Alexander vs. WR Stefon Diggs
Jaire Alexander’s history with Stefon Diggs dates back to Diggs’ time with the Vikings. In four career matchups, Alexander has been dominant, limiting Diggs to just two catches for zero yards on four targets, according to Pro Football Focus. With Collins out, Diggs will be Stroud’s best option and will start a familiar one-on-one battle. Alexander must be ready every time he faces Diggs, who continues to be threatening in his 10th season.
