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Texans embracing challenge of facing Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love

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Through six games this season, the Houston Texans’ defense has been up to the task of making life hell for opposing quarterbacks.

Minnesota Vikings journeyman Sam Darnold is the only passer to present problems to the Texans en route to a 5-1 record. He threw four touchdown passes and completed over 70% of his throws in what became the worst loss of the DeMeco Ryans era.

Other than that, life’s been grand whenever facing a gunslinger on Sundays.

Chicago Bears starter and No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams tossed two interceptions and was sacked seven times in a 19-13 victory back on Sunday Night Football

Buffalo Bills star and potential MVP favorite Josh Allen completed nine pass attempts and totaled a season-low 131 yards.

Jacksonville Jaguars starter Trevor Lawrence looked lost in a 24-20 loss back in Week 4 after completing 54.6% of his throws.

And Will Anderson Jr. made sure to give No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye his “welcome to the NFL” moment with three sacks in Sunday’s win. Maye also tossed two interceptions and coughed up a fumble on a Danielle Hunter stip-sack.

Yes, the Texans look to have one of the league’s toughest defenses. Now comes their toughest test at Lambeau Field on Sunday afternoon: Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love.

“Going against Jordan Love this week, he will be the best quarterback we’ve seen this year,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “It will be a really, really tough matchup.”

Believing that Love is a better quarterback than Allen would be considered a bold take, but that doesn’t mean it’s entirely wrong. The numbers would back it up.

After sitting for three seasons behind four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, Love has transformed into one of the league’s most dangerous men with a football. He completed 64.2% of his throws for 4,159 yards and 32 touchdown passes against 11 interceptions while leading Green Bay back to the postseason in 2023.

When on the field, Love has lived up to the billing of his four-year, $220 million extension. He’s second in the league in touchdown passes (12) and yards per game (282.7), despite missing two games with a knee injury in Week 1’s against Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil.

If there is a caveat to slowing down Love, it’s his turnover ratio. Despite ranking second in passing touchdowns, he also ranks second in interceptions with six.

“Jordan Love is a talented, talented quarterback,” rookie safety Calen Bullock said Monday. “I think everybody knows that. He’s in a good area with Green Bay. He has a good receiver corps that he believes in.”

Much like C.J. Stroud, Love has options on offense. Five different receivers have at least 10 catches through six games. Three players, including recently reinstated Romeo Doubs, are averaging over 12.8 yards per catch and have at least two touchdown receptions.

“A lot of passing out of those guys, and we know we got to be up for that challenge,” Bullock said.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon.