Texans prepping for Packers' unpredictable pistol looks

The creativity of the Green Bay Packers' offense revolves around more than intricate variations of the route tree, providing a wrinkle for the Texans' defense to ponder heading into Sunday's game at Lambeau Field.

The Packers used a pistol formation against the Philadelphia Eagles with athletic quarterback Aaron Rodgers lined up in the backfield along with wide receivers Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery along with tight end Jared Cook.

The triple option designed by Packers coach Mike McCarthy involves Rodgers faking dive runs up the middle to Montgomery along with the options of keeping it himself, throwing or pitching it back to Cobb.

It adds an element of unpredictability to the Packers' playbook. They can run the same plays they can from under center or from the shotgun formation, making it difficult to study tendencies and pick up keys.

"Very difficult to defend," Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. "Mike is a very creative offensive coach. They line up in that pistol. They line up in a three-back look, like an inverted wishbone with the quarterback in the gun. It's hard to decipher which direction they're going and things like that.

"How to call the strength of their offense relative to your defense, how to get the people lined up. We've practiced hard. We know it's going to be a challenge but we know that it's also a challenge that we're looking forward to."

Rodgers is a dangerous runner even though he's dealing with a hamstring issue. He has already rushed for 285 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. He has 20 rushing first downs this season.

The Texans are stressing assignment football to get prepared for the pistol.

The Packers used a pistol formation against the Philadelphia Eagles - something the Texans will have to be ready for on Sunday. The Packers used a pistol formation against the Philadelphia Eagles - something the Texans will have to be ready for on Sunday. Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Texans prepping for Packers' unpredictable pistol looks 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

"That's part of football,' Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel said. "They're just dressing it up in a different way and then moving guys from one side and stacking them together, and it makes you have to think about those responsibilities and how you're going to handle it.

"So, because we've seen it, it's easier to prepare for. I think if you haven't seen it and it gets thrown on you, then that's more difficult. But I think that we'll be in pretty good position to try to slow those guys down."