Sunday, December 07, 2008

End of 1st quarter: Packers 0 - Texans 7

If the first quarter is any indication, this game has one of those "Uh-oh" feelings to it. The Texans took the opening kickoff and in three plays went 75 yards for a touchdown, the majority of that coming on a 58 yard pass that was underthrown. The receiver made a better adjustment to it than did Tramon Williams, who was then taken out by Nick Collins who overran the play. Made it look easy. That took all of about a minute-and-a-half.

The Pack also had big plays negated -- as has been the case so often this season -- by penalties. One was a ticky-tack offensive pass interference call on Donald Driver that wiped out his spectacular 42-yard catch. Another big first down was wiped out on a holding call on Chad Clifton against Mario Williams.

Our new punter's first punt was not so great, 25 yards. Steve Kapinos' next two were much better, 48 yards and 49 yards, the latter of which unfortunately just made into the endzone for a touchback.

Defensively, the Packers have had two chances to pick off Texans' QB Matt Schaub and weren't able to come up with the ball. But the Texans are converting third downs, the Packers are not.

At the end of the quarter, Houston rookie RB Steve Slaton knocked of a 34-yard run down to the Packers' 30. He is as advertised: explosive. And, as noted in my preview to the game, exactly the kind of back the Packers have been unable to defend most of the season.

If the Packers don't tighten things up, they can lose this game. It has that feel to it already. Not good.