GREEN BAY – Eric Wilson has seen pretty much everything there is to see during an NFL career that's now eight seasons.
So, when the Packers' veteran linebacker was asked to pick up the communication helmet after Quay Walker left to be evaluated for a concussion, Wilson didn't balk at the opportunity to once again step up.
In fact, the 6-foot-1, 230-pound linebacker turned out to be a catalyst in Green Bay's 24-22 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday, registering five tackles (four for a loss), two sacks and a pass deflection in Walker's stead.
His performance, particularly in the third quarter, helped the Packers overcome a 3-0 deficit in turnover margin.
"My entire career I've played just about every position at linebacker," Wilson said. "I think it comes with the reps and the experience, honestly. Being able to play any linebacker position that we need and fill in where's necessary."
This season, Wilson has been part of a rotation with Isaiah McDuffie and rookie second-round pick Edgerrin Cooper in the two spots next to Walker, the every-down "Mike" linebacker responsible for relaying calls from defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
One of the most veteran players on the roster, Wilson was pressed into action during the first two minutes of the second quarter when Walker exited and did not return. After registering his first TFL late in the first half, Wilson contributed heavily to a tide-turning third quarter for the Packers.
First, he dropped Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud for an 8-yard loss on a third-and-5 inside blitz. On the next series, Wilson broke up a third-and-5 pass intended for tight end Dalton Schultz to force another punt.
Wilson then came free again on an inside blitz to drop Stroud for a 9-yard loss on third-and-8 that pushed the Texans past midfield. The Packers used Houston's three straight stalled series to pull back ahead of the Texans, 21-19, heading into the fourth quarter.
"Eric been holding it down all year," defensive lineman Kenny Clark said. "Whether it's special teams, him coming in and getting turnovers, punching the ball out, getting sacks or whatever the case may be – picks. He got a pick (this year). E-Wil, he's always been coming in and doing his job and being great. You need a guy like that on a team."
Defensively, the Packers held Houston in check for most of the afternoon. On their first four scoring drives, the Texans started with the ball at the Green Bay 11-yard twice, and the Houston 43 and 45.
Green Bay held Stroud to a career-low 86 passing yards while throwing a barrage of third-down blitzes at the NFL's reigning offensive rookie of the year, including the two that helped produce Wilson's sacks.
Stroud's passing yards were the fewest Green Bay has allowed to a QB with 20-plus passing attempts since Seahawks QB Charlie Frye threw for 83 yards on 23 attempts at Seattle on Oct. 12, 2008.
It also was the fifth straight week the Packers have allowed seven points or fewer in the second half.
"Haf does a hell of a job calling a game, and we work all week just playing together whatever the call is," Wilson said. "I think it was a hell of an effort up front putting pressure on him, and then in the back covering their guys, which they've got some good receivers too, so our DBs did a hell of a job."
Jacobs gets his receiving TD: It took 80 NFL games and 212 receptions, but Josh Jacobs finally caught his first receiving touchdown in the third quarter against the Texans.
Jacobs' 8-yard touchdown came at a pivotal point, too, as it propelled the Packers back into the lead, 21-19, on the first offensive possession of the second half.
"It was long overdue," laughed Jacobs, who has 47 career rushing TDs. "We talked about it all week at practice that, 'Man, this is the week that we're going to get to.' We had like three or four plays in the red zone for me. I appreciate my coaches, and the teammates wanted me to get that, and calling it for that situation."
As Jacobs bolted for a Lambeau Leap, tight end Tucker Kraft picked up the football in the end zone to give to Jacobs. Afterwards, Jacobs said he'll likely give the ball to quarterback Jordan Love, who also threw his 50th NFL touchdown pass on the play.
"It was good, but I think I'm going to give it to Jordan," said Jacobs, who also had a team-high 76 rushing yards on 12 carries. "Because it was also his 50th career passing touchdown. So, I think I'm going to give it to him."
Kraft's instant reaction: Tucker Kraft didn't have much time to think as Love fired a pass to the second-year tight end, breezing past Texans safety Calen Bullock milliseconds earlier.
To Kraft's credit, the 6-foot-4, 259-pound tight end brought in the laser from Love for the 14-yard TD and first score of the game for Green Bay. It was Kraft's fourth TD catch in the last four games.
"It was a great play and it was a pure moment," Kraft said. "Plays like that can set you apart from other tight ends in the league; guys who don't get the chances to get downfield like that. It's something I hope I can continue to do."
Receiver Dontayvion Wicks also caught his fourth touchdown of the year and became just the fifth player in team history to register four-plus TD catches in both of first two seasons in the league. He joins Don Hutson (1935-36), Billy Howton (1952-53), James Lofton (1978-79) and Christian Watson (2022-23).
Whelan's world: Daniel Whelan's biggest moment may have been as the holder on Brandon McManus' game-winning 45-yard field goal, but the second-year punter had a historic day of his own as a punter.
His five punts for 284 yards registered a 56.8-yard gross average that is the second-best single-game average in team history (min. four punts) behind only Roy McKay's 61.6-yard average on five punts vs. the Chicago Cardinals on Oct. 28, 1945.
His net average of 51.6 yards is the top single-game mark in team history (since 1976, min. four punts). He's also the first NFL punter to punt five-plus times and post a gross average of 56-plus yards and a net average of 51-plus yards in a game since Raiders punter AJ Cole vs. Indianapolis on Nov. 13, 2022.
"As a punter, my job is to flip the field, so I basically just did my job," Whelan said. "The wind kind of helped a little bit, but then we were going into it a couple punts. It's just basically mindset. Stay smooth, low drop and then try to finish the kick."
