Bold prediction number two: The Houston Texans will punt less than five times, going for it on fourth down
When you were the first team eliminated from the playoffs (somehow before the winless Detroit Lions were) and on another losing streak, why not go for broke in each game from start to finish? Houston currently ranks 27th in converting 4th downs in the league, with a rate of 42.11 percent. Houston has a significantly higher percentage when going for it on the road (50 percent) as opposed to going for it at home (36.36 percent).
With only four games left in the season, getting every snap to evaluate Davis Mills is a priority. David Culley will keep the offense out on the field to try and build some positive momentum that doesn’t fizzle out at halftime like last week’s matchup vs Seattle.
It’s worth noting that Mills completed his 14 passes going into halftime, but didn’t have that magic in the second half as he finished 33/49 for 331 yards and one touchdown. Maybe some fourth-down conversions will help keep the offense’s morale high and prevent a cooling-off that happened the week prior.
This will limit Jamal Angew from being lethal in the punt return game, but he still poses the threat to take it to the house.