Houston Texans vs. Minnesota Vikings: Houston, We Have A Problem!
By Bob Dove
The Texans that played the first 17 minutes against the Titans can give the Vikings a game. The Texans that played the last 43 minutes have a big hill to climb. Consequently, this was a win that feels like a loss.
To consider prospects against the Vikings we must review the Titans game. For the first 17 minutes the Texans looked like the offensive force that fans hope they are. They had three possessions, scored three times and led 17-3. The Texans dominated every aspect of the first quarter. They made the Titans look like what they are, a mediocre team with many holes to fill.
However, that mediocre Titans team spent the last three-quarters demonstrating why the Houston Texans can’t play with the elite teams. The Texans began the game with two legitimate touchdown drives.
After that it took a Tennessee penalty to enable the Texan’s first field goal. Another senseless Titans penalty with seconds to go before halftime turned a prospective Texans punt into a second Texans field goal. That’s six gift points.
From 17-3 very early in the second quarter the Titans outscored the Texans 17-10 for the rest of the game. The Texans’ 10 points came from the second gift field goal and a 67-yard punt return by Texans rookie Will Fuller. For the last 3 quarters the Texans offense struggled.
What changed after the first quarter? The Titans decided to pressure the passer. When the Titans turned up the heat the Texans weak offensive line was exposed. Brock Osweiler was under constant pressure, and under pressure he is a completely different passer.