Houston Texans: 3 factors to watch against the Oakland Raiders
By Jair Lopez
Get Darren Fells and Jordan Akins involved
Will Fuller’s injury is a trickle-down effect for the whole offense, and despite the negative effects it has, they can use those targets to include the tight ends more. Houston has another dimension that opens up when Deshaun Watson targets Darren Fells and Jordan Akins in the offense.
Akins has 213 receiving yards, and Fells has 186 receiving yards for five touchdown receptions combined through seven games. The Texans have a talented and more athletic group of tight ends than in prior seasons, and the production in the red zone can benefit from having them involved.
Fells has the advantage of creating mismatches against smaller defensive backs that don’t have the strength nor the length to defend him. His three touchdown receptions have been in the red area and helped Watson in putting points on the board for the offense. Akins, on the other hand, is the tight end capable of matching up well with linebackers and create space due to the speed factor he has over them.
Having them involved opens up the playbook and keeps the defense honest to not key in on the wide receivers too much. Texans will have success if they can make plays in short to intermediate passes.