Texans vs. Broncos: Which Texans Team Shows Up?

Pressure, Pressure, Pressure

Unfortunately, a few minutes of success against the Colts front seven does not mean the Texans’ offensive line woes are resolved. Nor does momentary success against the Colts defense mean that Osweiler has found a way to defeat pressure. The Broncos field an elite defense that specializes in pressuring the quarterback. Expect Osweiler to be consistently harassed and to perform accordingly…as in “poorly”.

One might argue that the run game was better throughout the Colts game. Does that indicate the Texans offensive line has improved? No. What it indicates is that we were running against the Colts. It indicates the Texans line, not running back Lamar Miller, was the problem in the poor yards per rush statistic of the first five games.

The Colts defense allowed running lanes and Miller took advantage. He looked exactly like the running back the Texans thought they were getting when they signed him. He looked even better than that in his touchdown pass reception. Osweiler gets credit for the TD pass, but Miller evaded at least seven Colts defenders to reach the end zone.

It is true that the Texans had most of their success running to the left behind Duane Brown. That’s encouraging, but Brown can’t do it all by himself against the Broncos. Neither can Lamar Miller if the holes aren’t there. Until the Texans prove otherwise expect the Texans running game to revert to its poor yards-per-rush standard against an elite defense.

The lack of a running game makes it even more difficult for Osweiler to ignite the passing attack. The Broncos defense can lay their ears back and come after him. Let’s see…a harassed Brock Osweiler throwing against the Broncos excellent secondary. How’s that going to turn out?