I said all week, “If you can’t beat Texans at home, you’re not a playoff team.” That’s how people should have looked at this Houston Texans-Green Bay Packer game. It was a true test to see if Packers could do their job and handle business unlike the last time an AFC South opponent visited Lambeau Field. They did with a strong 21-13 victory.

Five Stars
Jordy Nelson – What a game for Jordy catching eight passes for 118 yards with a touchdown. Nelson looked like the best player on the field at times. He provided an outlet to Aaron Rodgers on multiple third down conversions. Nelson seems to thrive as the season comes down the wire. He’s always the type of player to make a big play when it’s needed. According to Pro Football Focus, Aaron Rodgers had a perfect passer rating when throwing to Nelson. Pretty, prettay good.

Morgan Burnett – Great game from Mo as he had nine total tackles, a pass deflection a quarterback hit and a fumble recovery. He played really well leading the defense. This type of game from Burnett is going to be important to have down the stretch. Green Bay’s defense looked better in the past couple weeks, but they are still held together by sticks.

Four Stars
Aaron Rodgers – Good, efficient game from a guy bothered by a bad hammy. Rodgers looked fine out there when he had a clean pocket. He missed a couple open looks, but that’s expected from any quarterback. None were too egregious. Rodgers made a couple key throws down the stretch. On the final two drives that went for 98 and 90 yards respectively, Rodgers went 7-for-11 with 126 yards and a touchdown. Rodgers hasn’t lost at home in December since 2008. Un-fucking-real.

Julius Peppers – Another good game for Peppers. A part of me wonders if Peppers saved what’s left in the tank for the final weeks of the season. Peppers had five tackles and a sack. He found a way to get into Brock ‘Don’t Call Me Scott Mitchell’ Osweiler’s kitchen a couple different times. This is a nice way to finish what has been a mediocre year for Peppers.

Three Stars
Ty Montgomery – This would have been higher if Mike McCarthy got him more reps. I could see a possibility of McCarthy naming Montgomery the starter against Seattle. We’ll get to James Starks in a moment, but things aren’t well with the veteran running back. Monty rushed for 40 yards on six carries. With Seahawks zone defense, Montgomery could be a great safety valve for this unit.

Dean Lowry – Keep an eye on this kid to finish the year. Lowry came up with a sack in the first half, and he added some pressure again to Osweiler early on in this game. Every now and again, we see a young Packers player show some promise in the final weeks, and that player could be the rookie out of Northwestern.

Two Stars
Davante Adams – This isn’t really Davante’s fault, but a rough game for him after such a heater with only one catch for 17 yards. Rodgers targeted him seven times, and they just couldn’t connect. Adams had a great run after the catch only to have it called back for stepping out of bounds. Thankfully, Green Bay scored on that drive so we don’t have to wonder what if with Adams’ long run.

One Star
James Starks – The end of the road is here for James Starks. He doesn’t have it anymore. It’s okay that Starks is no longer the running back the Packers had years ago, but McCarthy needs to realize this as well. It goes Green Bay no good to have him out there.

Third down run defense – Worst part of the game was Texans getting multiple third downs on the ground. Osweiler waddled for a couple first downs, Jonathan Grimes rushed for two as well. Not great for Packers. Let’s hope that’s just a one time thing.

Charlie.