Football did not look simple for the Houston Texans in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts final Sunday.
That’s to not say that NFL video games needs to be like this for even the very best groups, particularly divisional video games. But Houston generally could not even capitalize on its offense in opposition to Indianapolis. CJ Stroud was operating for his life, notably within the first half, when he was pressured on an astonishing 71.4% of his dropbacks. One of his offensive linemen, former first-round left guard Kenyon Green, was on the bench. And the Texans practically gave up the 10-point lead that they had halfway by the third quarter.
“I’m blissful we received,” coach DeMeco Ryans stated postgame, “however there’ll all the time be issues to repair.”
At what level ought to Ryans & Co. fear although?
As the Texans enter Thursday night time’s recreation in opposition to the New York Jets, they’re 6-2 and on observe to make the playoffs for the second straight yr. But it did not appear like a group geared up to reap the benefits of its shocking presence within the divisional rounds final season. Certainly not because the juggernaut they had been anticipated to be within the offseason after the flurry of strikes they made to bolster the roster round Stroud.
The lack of star receiver Stefon Diggs to a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage would not assist the trigger, plus the truth that star receiver Nico Collins will miss a minimum of yet another recreation on injured reserve as he tends to a hamstring drawback.
Houston is 4-0 in opposition to groups which can be .500 or worse, together with a win on the season over Indianapolis. But it is 2-2 in opposition to golf equipment which have a successful file. One of these wins got here in opposition to the Chicago Bears and Caleb Williams, who was making his second profession begin. The different got here in opposition to the Buffalo Bills, in opposition to whom the Texans blew a 17-point second-half lead and wanted a 59-yard subject aim as time expired to win.
Five of Houston’s six victories had been determined by six factors or fewer. What wasn’t was a 20-point win over the 2-6 New England Patriots in Week 6.
The Texans are at present fifteenth within the NFL with a plus-9 level differential, the worst mark amongst AFC groups at present within the playoffs. The final group to succeed in the Super Bowl with such a low level differential for the complete season was the 2011 New York Giants, who completed nineteenth in that common season (and beat the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI). Long story quick, pulling off tight wins over a complete season has traditionally not been a recipe for fulfillment for championship-caliber groups.
An essential subject for Houston was execution.
The Texans are the fifth most penalized group (61 on the yr). The offensive line was credited with 22 penalties accepted alone, based on NFLpenalties.com: a league-high 12 in opposition to perennial Pro Bowl left sort out Laremy Tunsil, 5 in opposition to Green, three in opposition to proper guard Shaq Mason and two in opposition to proper sort out Tytus Howard.
Adding to the woes on offense: They did a poor job defending Stroud, who has been sacked 22 occasions this season, third-most within the league. The Texans had been pressured on 29.2 p.c of their dropbacks, second-worst within the NFL, and pressured 93 occasions total, additionally second-worst, based on Pro Football Reference.
“As we transfer ahead, we’ll proceed to guage our offensive line and see the place our guys are at,” Ryans stated.
Running again Joe Mixon needed to carry the offense and it labored. In his three video games since getting back from a sprained ankle, he has rushed 63 occasions for 319 yards (5.0 yards per carry) and 4 touchdowns. For the season, he’s averaging 100.6 speeding yards per recreation, which ranks third within the league.
Ryans’ move rush has additionally been dominant with the tandem of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter each within the prime 4 in quarterback strain by the primary eight weeks of the season, per Next Gen Stats. They are the one pair of teammates within the prime 15.
Even with Diggs out, the Texans needs to be good at receiver as effectively. Collins is predicted to return sooner somewhat than later, and Tank Dell, who has had a sluggish begin to the yr, is predicted to see a rise in targets. Last season he was strolling for greater than 1,000 yards receiving as a rookie earlier than breaking his leg.
The actuality is that Houston nonetheless has the expertise on each side of the ball to make a deep playoff run.
“I might simply say now we have confidence in ourselves, we keep aggressive and I believe we will do a greater job getting seven (factors) and never three and scoring touchdowns within the crimson zone. I believe that is an important factor,” Stroud stated as he ready for the Jets on a brief week. “I really feel like we will proceed to run the ball very well. I believe it is nice for us and our play-action passes are going very well. We can work on our return passing and issues like that.
“There are a number of issues to be taught from to enhance.”
Ben Arthur is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports. He beforehand labored for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Network, the place he was Titans beat the author for a yr and a half. It lined the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for 3 seasons (2018-20) earlier than shifting to Tennessee. You can observe Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.
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