Texans @ Packers
Final Score: Texans 26, Packers 7
Writer: Joe Orlofski (@joeorlofski on Twitter)
Both the Houston Texans and the Green Bay Packers have had their share of Quarterback drama this offseason, and although Aaron Rodgers is guaranteed to be back for at least this year, the same can’t be said for Deshaun Watson. Watson has already wanted out of Houston for some time, but now sexual assault allegations against him further cloud his future in the NFL.
This preseason game was a chance to see what the future Packers might look like with Jordan Love behind center, whereas for the Texans it was a chance to see who might win the starting role if Watson indeed doesn’t play.
The Texans ended up winning the game 26-7.
Houston Texans
Quarterback
Tyrod Taylor: 4/4, 40 yards
Davis Mills: 11/22, 112 yards, INT
Jeff Driskel: 1/6, 2 yards | 5 carries, 16 yards
Tyrod Taylor has moved around a lot the last few years but hopes to finally land and keep a starting role. He got the start in this preseason game and looked sharp, completing all four of his attempts.
Rookie Davis Mills came in on the second drive and started off a bit rough, although he made a great throw to wide receiver Anthony Miller deep in the endzone that bounced off his hands. Mills was a bit up and down after that, being on different pages than his receivers some plays, and then making perfect throws on others. He threw an interception late in the second quarter near the endzone, although the defender made a great read.
Jeff Driskel came into the game in the third quarter, although his struggles in camp make him a long shot to start for the Texans, let alone make the team. He was almost picked off on his first drive and struggled mightily the rest of the game.
Running Back
Phillip Lindsay: 5 carries, 14 yards
David Johnson: 1 carry, -1 yard
Scottie Phillips: 13 carries, 66 yards, TD | 5 targets, 4 receptions, 23 yards
Buddy Howell: 8 carries, 38 yards | 1 target
Darius Jackson: 5 carries, 37 yards, TD | 1 target
Phillip Lindsay went from a cinderella story in Denver to fighting for a roster spot in Houston over the last few years, but he did get the start and has a shot at a decent amount of carries in 2021. He didn’t perform all that well in this one, however, the Texans’ offensive line has had its issues in years past so it’s tough to fully blame Lindsay. He showed good burst but holes closed up quickly.
David Johnson looks like he will be in line for the starting role, but only got one carry before Scottie Phillips replaced him. Phillips is a second-year running back who spent his rookie season on the Texans’ practice squad, although it was mentioned that the Texans are trying to develop him.
Early in the second quarter, Phillips was overthrown by Mills on an easy five-yard pass that would have scored, but he still managed to find the endzone on the next play.
Scottie Phillips FOR THE LEAD 🙌
HOU 10 – GB 7 | 9:08 2Q pic.twitter.com/UGbvydQE7w
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 15, 2021
On the next drive, Phillips almost broke a screen pass for what looked like a potential big gain but was tripped up before he could get to his first line of blockers. Phillips caught a short pass at the end of the first half for a nice gain, however, the Packers were in prevent defense at the time. He also had a 25-yard run to finish the third quarter, where he showed great patience and strength to get through the line.
Phillips by far is one of the more interesting sleeper potentials in fantasy. I don’t know if he will jump David Johnson, but he should make the NFL roster and could take over the RB2 role.
Buddy Howell and Darius Jackson finished off the game for the Texans but really don’t have much fantasy relevance at this time. Jackson did have a nice 25-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter.
https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/1426739098585341953
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Chris Conley: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 51 yards
Keke Coutee: 5 targets, 2 receptions, 21 yards
Nico Collins: 1 target, 1 reception, 24 yards
Anthony Miller: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 13 yards
Brevin Jordan: 1 target, 1 reception, 11 yards
Chris Moore: 2 targets, 1 reception, 6 yards
Paul Quessenberry: 1 target, 1 reception, 3 yards
Chris Conley joined the Texans this offseason and looked sharp in this game, showing obvious chemistry with Taylor. Conley was open early and often and made some nice grabs. He may be fighting for the WR2 spot behind Brandin Cooks, who did not play in this game.
Nico Collins, a rookie out of Michigan, caught a wide-open pass for 24-yards and didn’t see much action after that. The Texans are excited about the 6’4″ receiver, and he has a good opportunity to see the field this season although the quarterback situation does muddy the waters for fantasy relevance.
Keke Coutee caught a nice 16-yard pass from Mills in the second quarter, but for the most part, he didn’t get much help from Mills.
Anthony Miller, who was traded to the Texans from the Bears this offseason, ran off the field with a limp arm after a big hit. News already has come out that he has a slight shoulder separation, so it is something to watch if you thought he’d be a sleeper pick.
Conley stood out the most in this game, so pay attention to him throughout the rest of the preseason.
Green Bay Packers
Quarterback
Jordan Love: 12/17, 122 yards, TD, Fumble
Kurt Benkert: 8/12, 88 yards, INT, Fumble | 2 carries, -4 yards
Like I mentioned above, the Packers had some drama with Aaron Rodgers this offseason, leading to many believing that Jordan Love would be thrust into the starting role. Obviously now we know he will have to wait at least one more year, but it seems like the Packers do believe he is their future. Love got the start in this first preseason game, and his first two drives went three and out (although his passes looked sharp). Finally, on his third drive he made his best pass of the night, connecting with a wide-open Jace Sternberger for a 34-yard gain.
.@jordan3love ➡️ @_Jstern
34-yard gain! #HOUvsGB | #GoPackGo
📺 Packers TV Network
📱 https://t.co/bE19jZCodD pic.twitter.com/brkjnDhGBf— Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 15, 2021
Love finished that drive 6/6 for 67 yards and a touchdown, although it was rookie running back Kylin Hill that did all the work on a short screen that went 22 yards.
Late in the second quarter, Love fumbled the ball as he cocked his arm back. Fumbles have been a concern for Love, although this one really isn’t his fault as much as it was the offensive line. Love didn’t return after the half (although he did play the subsequent drive), and news came out Sunday that he is day-to-day with a shoulder injury. The way his arm was hit on the fumble could have been what injured his shoulder.
Kurt Benkert started the second half with a nice play-action pass. Benkert was kept over veteran Blake Bortles, so the Packers must see something in the young quarterback. He did start with three straight first-down passes, but then was credited with a fumble during an exchange with Running Back Kylin Hill. If you look at another angle, you can see that Benkert did not put the ball squarely into Hill’s chest, so this one is definitely on the quarterback.
That's ✌️ for @leellxvii!#HOUvsGB pic.twitter.com/uzdyv3tUTf
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 15, 2021
Benkert threw an interception late in the fourth quarter after throwing while running left, making it too short to reach his receiver. Had he thrown it a bit harder it would have been a very nice pass.
All that said, neither Love or Benkert will have fantasy value this season (barring injury), but Love is an interesting dynasty option based on how he played in this one.
Running Back
AJ Dillon: 1 carry, 1 yard | 1 target, 1 reception, 4 yards
Kylin Hill: 5 carries, -2 yards | 2 targets, 1 reception, 22 yards, TD
Patrick Taylor: 9 carries, 22 yards | 1 target
Dexter Williams: 4 carries, 32 yards
To no one’s surprise, AJ Dillon got the start. Thanks to the departure of Jamaal Williams, Dillon should get plenty of work this season behind starting running back Aaron Jones. We don’t expect an even split, especially with rookie Kylin Hill making serious waves in camp. Hill started as the kickoff returner and got his first shot at the running back position in the third drive. After a solid five-yard gain on his first attempt, he was met behind the line the rest of his attempts.
Hill did show one reason why he is garnering so much hype in camp, taking a screen 22 yards for the first Packer touchdown of the preseason.
#Packers find paydirt! @H_Kylin takes the pass from @jordan3love 22 yards for the TD!#HOUvsGB | #GoPackGo
📺 Packers TV Network
📱 https://t.co/bE19jZCodD pic.twitter.com/HPueWzZPsq— Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 15, 2021
Hill played it perfectly, setting up like he was going to block and then leaking out to make the catch.
Hill has a chance to be the third running back on the roster and will battle Dillon for carries, although it probably will take an injury to be fantasy-relevant.
Patrick Taylor played periodically through the game although didn’t do much of note. He did have a few solid gains and showed pretty good vision to find holes to run through, but probably won’t be relevant this year.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Amari Rodgers: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 15 yards
Jace Sternberger: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 35 yards
Devin Funchess: 8 targets, 6 receptions, 70 yards
Malik Taylor: 5 targets, 5 receptions, 50 yards
Reggie Begelton: 2 targets, 1 reception, 14 yards
Amari Rodgers, Devin Funchess, and Malik Taylor all started in this one, with Jace Sternberger at Tight End. Funchess opted out last year due to COVID, but it looks like he is still in fine NFL shape, making a great one-handed catch across the middle of the field. Funchess by far looked like the best receiver for the Packers, but Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling all sat, so it’s hard to say if Funchess will hop anyone on the depth chart based on this game.
Amari Rodgers made some nice catches but muffed a punt in the third quarter that thankfully didn’t hurt the Packers.
Not much of note for fantasy relevance here. Funchess could see the field this year and tight end Jace Sternberger for sure will see action, but it’s tough to say if either will be worth a roster spot on fantasy teams.
— Joe Orlofski (@joeorlofski on Twitter)