John McClain, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, is in his 48th year of covering the NFL in Houston, including 45 seasons at the Houston Chronicle.
When they play at Green Bay on Sunday, the Texans will be shorthanded on defense against a Packers' offense that's one of the most explosive in the NFL.
The Texans take a 5-1 record and three-game winning streak into Lambeau Field, where they'll play for the first time since 2016.
The Texans could be missing as many as five defensive starters. Tackle Mario Edwards (suspension) is out for four games. Cornerback Kamari Lassiter (shoulder) and safety Jimmie Ward (groin) missed the 41-21 victory at New England and could be sidelined again. Linebackers Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) and Henry To'oTo'o (concussion) and tackle Foley Fatukasi (shoulder) were unable to practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
The defense received good news this week when Denico Autry, who plays end and tackle, returned from a six-game suspension and should get a lot of playing time in passing situations.
The defensive injuries couldn't have come at a more inopportune time. The Packers are fourth in offense (400.8 yards), including second in rushing (167.2) and 10th in passing (233.7).
After missing two starts early in the season, the Packers have averaged 29 points in quarterback Jordan Love's four starts, and no team has averaged more overall. Love averages three touchdown passes a game.
Head Coach DeMeco Ryans and coordinator Matt Burke will have their hands full trying to contain Head Coach Matt LaFleur's offense. LaFleur, a Texans' assistant coach (2008-09) under Gary Kubiak, is recognized as one of the most innovative play-callers in the league.
"He does a good job of creating a lot of chaos when it comes to pre-snap, and I think that's where they gain a huge advantage," Ryans said. "You talk about the motions, the snap points and just being able to have various plays whether it's in the run game or the passing game."
Ryans played linebacker during LaFleur's two seasons in Houston.
"He really makes you work as a defense to communicate pre-snap, makes you work post-snap to know who you're matching in coverage," Ryans said. "It's a difficult offense to defend because of so much moving.
"We've seen some offenses like this. Last year, practicing versus the Dolphins in training camp, and this year going against the Rams (training camp and preseason game). You see some of those similar concepts, all the pre-snap movements (and) it stresses you. It's a challenge for us."
The coaches have great respect for what LaFleur does on offense – the creativity and the Packers' impressive balance between the run and pass and how it's set up to try to confuse the defense with pre-snap movement.
"They try to put you at unease before the snap even happens," Burke said. "They do a good job of putting those guys in spots to be successful.
LaFleur's offense is orchestrated by Love, who's in his second season as the starter after sitting behind Aaron Rodgers for two years. Love likes to throw the ball down the field.
"I think there's an element of trust and belief in the system and just launching it, so there's going to be balls going down the field," Burke said. "They're going back to the basics of it, the structure of their motions and their shifts and pre-snap stuff that puts you on edge.
"We can't worry about who's where and which guy is doing what – we've got to play our defense."
The Packers have one of the most effective play-action offenses in the league. Led by Jacobs, who's rushed for 464 yards in his first season since leaving Las Vegas for Green Bay as a free agent, they do an exceptional job of keeping defenses off balance.
"Jacobs has been a nice addition for them," Ryans said. "I know Matt wants to run the football. That's where they want to thrive. They want to establish the run game and run it as much as they can.
"Jacobs is a strong, powerful runner (with) great contact balance. One guy doesn't take him down a lot. It has to be a collective effort from our backside guys -- everybody getting off blocks (and) closing, and we have to swarm (and) corral Jacobs because he's such a tough runner."
When the linebackers hesitate for an instant because they think Jacobs is getting the ball, Love throws it down the field.
"(One thing) that makes their (play-action) lethal is they have good speed," Ryans said. "They have guys that can go up and attack the football and come down with it. And the quarterback is able to buy more time when you have the play-action upfront. (Love) is able to buy even more time to allow those deep shots to get down the field."
Of course, Ryans, Burke and the defensive assistants believe they have a game plan to try to contain the Packers' offense, but they'll need a strong effort from all three levels on defense.
"Matt has done a good job of structuring the offense and coaching the quarterback to get the ball to where it's supposed to go," Burke said. "You have a coverage, and the ball's out quick. (Love) is talented. He's got a good arm, and he's not afraid to put the ball down the field. He's willing to take some shots and trust his receivers.
"The core of their offense is designed around the (running game). Their run game marries very well with their play-action game. You can talk about where they rank in their explosive passing game, and it ties directly into their running game and having to respect that."
When Ryans makes the calls on defense, the coaches have to be concerned with what their players are doing, if they're carrying out the game plan the way it was designed. The Texans have to be disciplined in the running game, including protecting the edge, and getting after Love and forcing him to throw before he wants to.
If they can contain Jacobs between the tackles and keep him from getting outside, then the emphasis is on the coverage.
"I think it blends back into our philosophy of having to be good at what we're doing," Burke said. "You can't say we're going to take this guy away, and then that stops their offense. We have to play our defense and play our coverages right and be tight when we need to be."
As Burke puts it, the Texans' best chance to be successful against Green Bay's offense is, "We've got to be physical, and be good at getting hats to the ball."
