Four takeaways highlight preseason-opening victory for Packers

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GREEN BAY – If the Packers want to be a team that takes the ball away a lot in 2019, they’re certainly practicing the right way.


Four takeaways, including three in the first quarter, stood out in Green Bay’s 28-26 victory over Houston in the preseason opener for both teams Thursday night at Lambeau Field.


Two of the turnovers took potential points off the board for the Texans and the other two led directly to touchdowns for the Packers, as a Green Bay team that tied for the third fewest takeaways in the league last season is off on the right foot in that department this year.


“That’s what we talk about all the time, we’re going to be about the ball,” Head Coach Matt LaFleur said following his first night at the helm. “That was the difference in the game.”


It was the Packers’ young players getting the job done in a game that saw both teams rest the vast majority of their starters. A total of 26 players didn’t suit up for Green Bay, a little more than a handful due to injuries.


Rookie cornerback Ka'dar Hollman ended Houston’s first drive by cutting in front of receiver Vyncint Smith to make a sliding interception in the red zone of an underthrown ball by Joe Webb, who went the distance as the Texans didn’t play starting QB Deshaun Watson (rest) or A.J. McCarron (hand injury).


Moments later came turnover No. 2, as JK Scott’s 56-yard punt got returner Keke Coutee backpedaling and turning the wrong way. The muff inside the 5-yard line was recovered by Packers receiver Equanimeous St. Brown for a touchdown.