Texans biggest challenges so far this season.
Oct 9, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates his fourth quarter touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
We’re fast approaching the end of the mini-bye week courtesy of a Thursday night to Monday night kick off. The team has had 11 days to prep up for their last chance to impress the nation in a spotlight game, and there are areas of deep concern for you Texans. Let’s break down the Texans biggest challenges so far this season.
The first and foremost area, is the secondary defense breaking coverage and being beaten down the field. Houston has given up 7 passes that went for over 40 yards, that’s one less then the league leading Atlanta Falcons. It’s not a coincidence that the two teams with the biggest fall offs from 2012 are struggling. The fact they struggle with the deep pass is worrisome for both teams. The Texans players have admitted it’s a case of being overly aggressive and no communicating well. While as a general rule aggressive play are to be lauded, the communication errors need to stop. Romeo Crennel and his staff probably pull their hair out watching the films, and the players have to hate what they see.
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Following that up of course the other area of concern. The lack of offensive cohesion. You can talk about intelligence, football IQ or heart all day and night, but the stats tell the true tale in the end. 6 weeks into the season the Texans have 14 points scored in the first quarter, against the winless Raiders. Teams don’t win football games on a regular basis when the offense doesn’t show up till the second quarter.
Further misery is in the fact the Texans first quarter drives have been three and out punt fests. This is the area the Texans have to correct on offense if they hope to salvage this season. Right now, in QBR Ryan Fitzpatrick is beating Teddy Bridgewater, Geno Smith and EJ Manuel respectively. Not, a happy statistic unless you are an opposing team.
Cleaning up the secondary and getting the offense moving. That’s what this break between Thursday and Monday is all about. We’ll get to see the progress when they kick off in Pittsburgh, I believe we’ll see a rejuvenated team. However, if the offense sputters again the fans will be none to pleased. Lose to the hated Titans the next week and NRG will be a right unfriendly place for Fitzpatrick. Texans fans have tolerated a lot of sub-par quarterback play, I don’t know how far that will stretch this season.
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