Packers vs. Texans 2020: Prediction, Spread, Odds, Why Aaron Rodgers Will Beat Deshaun Watson

The Green Bay Packers visit the Houston Texans Sunday afternoon, putting the defending NFC North champions in a perfect position to bounce back from their first loss of the 2020 NFL season.

Green Bay was embarrassed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6, losing 38-10 in a contest that was seemingly over early into the second half. Tom Brady thoroughly outplayed Aaron Rodgers, who only completed 16 of 35 passes for 190 yards and two interceptions.

“You don't ever want to lose like this,” Rodgers told reporters after the game. “I felt like we needed a little bit of a wake-up call at some point this season because things have been so good and there's been so much talk maybe outside the building about the ease with which we're moving the ball on offense and scoring. I think we needed kind of a kick in the ass a little bit.”

It was easily Rodgers’ worst game of the season. He had been playing at an MVP-level with 13 touchdowns, no interceptions and four straight games with a triple-digit passer rating to start the season.

Houston allowed Ryan Tannehill to look like an MVP candidate in its 42-36 loss against the Tennessee Titans in Week 6. Tannehill went 30-41 for 364 yards, four touchdowns and an interception.

The Texans have surrendered a 111.5 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks. Only the Atlanta Falcons have given up a higher rating.

With a 1-5 record, Houston’s only win has come against the hapless Jacksonville Jaguars. The Texans continue to lose to good teams.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens both beat Houston by multiple touchdowns. The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Texans by seven points. Kansas City, Baltimore and Pittsburgh all put up at least 28 points against Houston’s 30th ranked defense.

Prior to losing in Tampa Bay, the Packers scored at least 30 points in each game. The Texans failed to score more than 23 points in any of their first four games.

The Packers are a legitimate Super Bowl contender. If the early part of the season means anything, they could beat the Texans comfortably.

The betting line favors Green Bay by 3.5 points, according to odds compiled by OddsShark. The over/under is 56.

Deshaun Watson could have some success against a mediocre Packers’ defense, but he can’t play both sides of the ball. Houston is 4-9 against the spread in its last 13 home games.

Prediction: Green Bay over Houston, 35-24