Indianapolis Colts linebacker Justin Hickman celebrates after Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby missed a game-tying field goal Oct. 7 with eight seconds to play. The Packers will need Crosby's mind to be as sound as his typically reliable right leg if they're to defeat Houston. (US Presswire)

Coming off a deflating loss at Indianapolis last week, Green Bay goes into Houston to take on an undefeated Texans team that's off to the best start in franchise history. Look for a rollicking atmosphere inside Reliant Stadium on Sunday night.

Here are five things to watch against the Texans:

1. Bryan Bulaga’s extremities: Bulaga has alternated between pedestrian and dreadful. While he was graded the eighth-best tackle in the league last season -- he allowed only one sack all year, according to Pro Football Focus -- he has been nothing like that player in 2012. He’s allowed 18 QB hurries and three sacks through three games. On Sunday, he’ll be matched up against Texans DE J.J. Watt, the early front-runner for NFL Defensive Player of the Year with 7.5 sacks. According to NFL combine numbers, Watt has bigger hands (11 1/8 inches) and longer arms (34 inches) than Bulaga (9 1/4 and 33 1/4). Bulaga's worst pro game was against Seattle in Week 3, when he was bull-rushed by Seahawks rookie DE Bruce Irvin; Bulaga frequently got his feet tangled, and he fell down twice. Against Watt (6-foot-5, 295 pounds), Bulaga (6-5, 314) will need perfect technique because physically he’s no match. If Watt routinely beats Bulaga, it will be a nightmare for QB Aaron Rodgers.

2. Texans top receiver: Last week, WR Andre Johnson had just one catch for 15 yards. Johnson has long been considered one of the league’s top receivers, but there was much talk this week that he is in decline. Texans coach Gary Kubiak also said he wants to get his 31-year-old wideout more involved in the offense. That’s all bad news for the Packers, who have been torched the last two weeks by wide receivers. In Week 4 against the Saints, Marques Colston caught nine passes for 153 yards and a touchdown, and last week Reggie Wayne had 13 receptions for 212 yards and a score. Johnson will be motivated to bust out against a still-weak Packers secondary, and he’ll likely be targeted often. CBs Tramon Williams and Sam Shields must play well Sunday or Johnson will surely go off.

3. Tight-end trouble: Green Bay could be without two of its top three tight ends Sunday. Jermichael Finley (shoulder) and D.J. Williams (hamstring) are questionable and will be game-time decisions. Those two are the Packers’ best pass-catching tight ends, and without WR Greg Jennings, who’s out with a groin injury, they need all the receiving weapons they can get. Further, coach Mike McCarthy has said he wants to run the ball more. And without starting RB Cedric Benson, who’s out for at least six weeks with a foot injury, Green Bay will probably use more two-tight-end sets in the run game, since that was an effective tactic against Seattle. Neither Finley nor Williams are considered great blockers, but their absence would mean backups Tom Crabtree and Ryan Williams would have to play in more packages and could tire more quickly if used extensively as blockers, receivers and in their normal special-teams duties.

4. Mason Crosby’s head: Last week was the first time in Crosby’s six-year career that he missed the only two field goals he attempted in a game. His second miss against the Colts, with three seconds left, would have tied the game. Against the Texans, he’ll be kicking indoors, so the elements won’t come into play. And there’s never been any concern about his leg strength, given the way he regularly blasts kickoffs out of the end zone. But if his confidence and his composure are damaged, it would be big trouble for the Packers, because against a stout Texans defense, they may not get into the end zone much. They’re going to need Crosby’s mind to be as sound as his typically reliable right leg.

5. Interior defensive line: When the Texans are on offense, and especially on early down running situations, keep an eye on the middle of the Packers defensive line. DT B.J. Raji (questionable) didn't practice this week due to an ankle injury; McCarthy said Raji didn't reach his rehab goals and would be a game-time decision. If Raji can’t go, Ryan Pickett would slide into the middle of the Packers’ 3-4 defense as a nose tackle. While Pickett’s a very good run-defender, his replacement at DE would be rookie Jerel Worthy, who isn’t nearly as stout against the run. The Packers need their best personnel on the field against an excellent Texans rushing offense.

Follow Packers reporter James Carlton on Twitter @CBSPackers and @jimmycarlton88.