GREEN BAY – The Packers wasted a huge scoring chance early, and the first quarter ended in a scoreless tie against the Texans on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
The Packers' defense got the game started with a turnover. Houston faced third-and-9 from midfield, and QB Brock Osweiler's pass was caught by WR Ryan Griffin, but CBs Quinten Rollins and LaDarius Gunter hit Griffin simultaneously and knocked the ball out. S Morgan Burnett recovered and returned it 35 yards to the Houston 24.
The offense didn't take advantage, though. After a 10-yard pass to TE Jared Cook and a 7-yard pass to WR Jordy Nelson, the Packers had third-and-1 on the Houston 2. QB Aaron Rodgers fumbled the snap, and Texans LB Whitney Mercilus recovered at the 5.
Texans RB Lamar Miller left the game with a rib injury, while Packers LB Nick Perry exited with a hand injury.
The defense got the ball back quickly. After getting called for his second offside penalty of the quarter, DT Letroy Guion stopped RB Alfred Blue for a 3-yard loss. Two plays later, a blitz by Burnett forced a hurried, low throw that led to a punt. WR Randall Cobb returned the punt 21 yards to the Green Bay 47.
The Packers went three-and-out, though, despite a 9-yard pass to Nelson on first down. RB James Starks was stopped for no gain on second down and then lost 3 yards on third down, and the Packers punted.
Miller returned to the game for the Texans on their next series, which saw Houston convert on back-to-back third-and-7s, first with an 8-yard draw to RB Jonathan Grimes and then with an 8-yard scramble by Osweiler.
