Texans morning huddle: Bringing pressure
By Randy Gurzi
Good morning and happy Friday Texans fans! The weekend is finally upon us, so let’s start today off the right way, with some Houston Texans related news! Enjoy;
Texans can take pressure off by bringing more – by Marc Vandermeer, HoustonTexans.com
"We’ve picked apart the carcass of the 0-2 start plenty. Nobody is happy about the first two games but the fact remains that regardless of record, the team will have to be ready for a suddenly confident and capable Tampa Bay squad.Never mind that this team had the number one overall pick in the draft. So did the Texans last year and they reeled off nine wins. The Bucs are coming off a big victory at the Superdome so they won’t be pre-rattled by the concept of visiting NRG Stadium.If Houston is going to use this as a springboard to a productive string of games, one thing is clear; it’s time to get the takeaway train rolling again.Last year at this time the Texans were plus five in the turnover margin. Now they’re minus two with only one takeaway. Two years ago, in the 2-14 meltdown, the Texans had the 7th ranked defense but failed to consistently get turnovers. That combined with the offensive struggles spelled doom.No one is saying this team is headed down that road. But rarely do playoff teams not appear on the positive side of the turnover ledger. It’s paramount to take care of the ball and get some easier scores with some ball hawking by the defense. While the Texans develop Ryan Mallett and get their offensive line going, it’ll be a plus to get some drive starts in opposing territory, if not scores generated by the defense.And how do they do that? By bringing heat. Plenty of it."
Texans vs. Bucs: 10 things to watch – by Dale Robertson, Houston Chronicle
"The Texans return to NRG looking for the first victory of the season as they face Tampa Bay and No. 1 draft pick Jameis Winston. Ten things to watch in Sunday’s game:1. The Texans will be playing their first home game on AstroTurf after the decision was made last week to scrap NRG Stadium’s oft-criticized portable natural grass field that has looked especially bad this season. The Texans will play a hair faster on the artificial surface, but so will the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.2. Coach Bill O’Brien is certain to try to prevent any preliminary leaks to the media – right, good luck with that – but former NFL rushing champion Arian Foster could return Sunday, far ahead of early estimates following his training-camp surgery to repair a torn groin muscle.3. Foster or no Foster, the Texans are confronting major problems in the offensive line, especially if Duane Brown has to sit again because of a severe thumb injury. Combine that with Ryan Mallett’s own growing pains and Lovie Smith’s defense thinking it’s primed for another feast, and it could get tough for the Texans. After taking down Drew Brees, the Bucs are smelling blood.4. Expect the Texans to give newcomer Oday Aboushi an extended look at left guard. They’d rather hand the position over to Xavier S’ua-filo, but it’s unlikely he’s ready to claim it on anything approaching a full-time basis."
Houston Texans can still make playoffs despite 0-2 start – by Tania Ganguli, ESPN
"Why the Houston Texans can make the playoffs: Two years ago, this organization started 2-0 and then lost the rest of its games. Though the staff and many of the players have turned over since then, it’s a good reminder the first two games of the season might not mean much. According to ESPN Stats and & Information’s Football Power Index, the Texans have a 17 percent chance to make the playoffs. That might seem slim, but it’s the fourth-best chance of the 0-2 teams. If the defense improves as it did last season and quarterback Ryan Mallett builds on his first start of the season, the Texans can make up the ground they need in a struggling AFC South. And Arian Foster won’t be out too much longer.Why the Houston Texans won’t make the playoffs: Since the new playoff format in 1990, only 12 percent of 0-2 teams have made the playoffs. Among all teams who have made the playoffs, only eight percent have started the season 0-2. It’s not an insurmountable lead, so much as the symptom of problems that can persist. Can the Texans do better against deep passes on which they’ve given up three touchdowns already? Can they contain running quarterbacks who they aren’t finished facing yet? Can their offense improve enough at least to help the defense? These problems all arose in the Texans’ first two games, and if they last, their playoff drought will extend."