Once upon a time, the Texans went to Green Bay, where Matt Schaub outdueled Aaron Rodgers. And it was glorious.
This was 2008 and gave Houston its only win in the series. Something the Texans will try to remedy on Sunday. Rodgers was in his first season actually playing and not even a glint in the eye of any national insurance company seeking a spokesperson.
Schaub was returning from injury and would begin a starts streak that would last until the fateful day in Tampa in 2011 that changed the course of what could have been a Super Bowl run.
It was 3 degrees at kickoff but not windy. Something Schaub would later say was the biggest factor in the Texans being able to throw for 414 yards. The offense was piping hot in the frigid air. Steve Slaton ran for 120 yards in a back-and-forth game that the Packers tied with under six minutes left on a Rodgers to Jordy Nelson TD pass.
Check out some photos form the Houston Texans and Green By Packers meetup in 2008.
GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 07: Owen Daniels #81 of the Houston Texans carries the ball while being pursued by Desmond Bishop #55 of the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field on December 7, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Texans defeated the Packers 24-21. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 07: Andre Johnson #80 of the Houston Texans catches a pass for a two-point conversion in front of Aaron Rouse #37 of the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field on December 7, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Texans defeated the Packers 24-21. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 07: Kris Brown #3 of the Houston Texans celebrates after kicking a 40-yard field goal in the closing seconds to defeat the Green Bay Packers 24-21 at Lambeau Field on December 7, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 07: Punter Matt Turk #1 of the Houston Texans carries the ball after a fake punt in the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 7, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Texans defeated the Packers 24-21. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 07: Wide receiver Kevin Walter #83 of the Houston Texans runs for a touchdown after a reception during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 7, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 07: Running back Steve Slaton #20 of the Houston Texans carries the ball after a hand off from quarterback Matt Schaub during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 7, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Texans defeated the Packers 24-21. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 07: Running back Steve Slaton #20 of the Houston Texans carries the ball during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 7, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Texans defeated the Packers 24-21. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 07: Quarterback Matt Schaub #8 of the Houston Texans is all smiles as he runs back to the huddle during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 7, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Texans defeated the Packers 24-21. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 07: Running back Steve Slaton #20 of the Houston Texans carries the ball while being pursued by Desmond Bishop #55 of the Green Bay Packers during the first half at Lambeau Field on December 7, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Texans defeated the Packers 24-21. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 07: Quarterback Matt Schaub #8 of the Houston Texans drops back to pass against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter at Lambeau Field on December 7, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Texans defeated the Packers 24-21. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 07: Quarterback Matt Schaub #8 of the Houston Texans drops back to pass against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter at Lambeau Field on December 7, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY - DECEMBER 7: Quarterback Matt Schaub #8 of the Houston Texans looks to pass the ball during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 7, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by: Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 07: Quarterback Matt Schaub #8 of the Houston Texans drops back to pass against the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter at Lambeau Field on December 7, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Texans defeated the Packers 24-21. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 07: Owen Daniels #81 of the Houston Texans carries the ball while being pursued by Desmond Bishop #55 of the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field on December 7, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Texans defeated the Packers 24-21. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 07: Kris Brown #3 of the Houston Texans celebrates after kicking a 40-yard field goal in the closing seconds to defeat the Green Bay Packers 24-21 at Lambeau Field on December 7, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 07: Kris Brown #3 of the Houston Texans kicks a 40-yard field goal in the closing seconds to defeat the Green Bay Packers 24-21 at Lambeau Field on December 7, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
Schaub didn't flinch. On second and seven he hit Vonta Leach for a 22 yard gain. Two passes to David Anderson and a 27 yard play to Owen Daniels set up Kris Brown's 40 yard field goal to win the game. It was an unforgettable day in what should be considered the mecca of professional football.
The Texans would pull to .500 the following week with a 13-12 win over a Tennessee team that would finish 13-3.
Bringing up '08 is not an accident. Houston started 0-4 and was 3-7 before winning five of its last six. The one loss down the stretch was somehow to a shaky Raiders team in Oakland. Otherwise, the Texans might have been able to pull out their first winning season after a painful start.
The defense that year finished 27th in scoring but the offense was 3rd in yards. This year's bunch certainly has the offense moving in the right direction as the defense looks to improve. There's plenty of firepower to win games.
It's also interesting how the Texans played the NFC North and AFC North that year, just like 2020.
Of course, there's absolutely no one left from that team on today's roster. But the current Texans might be able to take some inspiration from that group 12 years ago. They never quit and clawed back from four games below .500 twice to give themselves a chance at a winning campaign.
