Week four is here, and the Houston Texans are playing the Los Angeles Chargers. The Texans have a lot on the line in this game. They have yet to win this season, and with the Jaguars in the AFC South lead, Houston must get a victory to keep close.
The Chargers are dealing with some important injuries on their offensive line and defense. Can the Texans take advantage and shock the world with a win over the Chargers just like they did last year?
For that to happen, players are going to need to step up big time, and below are three Texans players who need to have a big game as these are three players to watch in Week 4.
3. Davis Mills – Quarterback
The Houston Texans have a difficult matchup going up against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers may be 1-2, but their entire team is stacked with talent from top to bottom. They are battling some injures on defense which the Houston quarterback needs to take advantage of.
Davis Mills and the Texans’ offense are going up against one of the top pass defenses in the league. It will be challenging to face JC Jackson, Asante Samuel, and Derwin James as they are mainstays on the LA defense.
The Chargers are without superstar pass rusher Joey Bosa (59.5 career sacks), hopefully leaving more time in the pocket for Mills to work with. If the offensive line stands up to the Chargers’ pass rush, Mills must have a good game. Texans fans are from happy with the regression Mills has shown this season, and if he doesn’t have a good game, fans at NRG Stadium might let him know in Week 4.
If the Texans have any chance to win, Mills must show improvement. His accuracy has been awful. Mills and the Texans beat the Chargers last year, but can Mills lead the Texans to their second win of the season?
2. Brandin Cooks – Wide Receiver
“The Archer” has yet to perform like last season, and he is on pace to potentially have less than 1,000 receiving yards this season, as some of that is due to the play of Davis Mills at quarterback in year two.
That said, Cooks has to improve as well, because is seems he hasn’t adjusted back to the speed of the NFL, because he has not looked the same compared to last season.
Last week Cooks only caught two of his seven targets, with only 22 receiving yards. Cooks is still very talented but has yet to look as explosive as last season. Cooks is the undoubted leader of the offense, with his lack of production and poor accuracy from Mills leading to questions of whether he will continue to be the No. 1 wide receiver on the team.
This season Cooks has totaled 13 receptions for 158 yards and no touchdowns. He’s been targeted 29 times by Mills. The next most targets for a Houston wide receiver is Nico Collins with 16. Running back Rex Burkhead also has 16 targets in three games this season.
Cooks will continue to receive his targets, as he is the safety net for Mills. Cooks still has the talent and skills to be the number one option on the field, but will he and Mills step up this week?
1. Jalen Pitre – Safety
Rookie safety Jalen Pitre showed some incredible talent in his last outing, leaving some jaws on the floor in the game last week against the Chicago Bears. Pitre had two interceptions and a sack against Bears quarterback Justin Fields. Even though the Texans lost the game 23-20, Pitre was the small light from that game, but can he do it again?
Pitre and the Texans’ defense are up against a very talented offense in the Los Angeles Chargers. LA quarterback Justin Herbert is one of the most impressive young quarterbacks in the league, but he’s battling injury so that’s something to watch in Week 4. Herbert’s receiving options include Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, Gerald Everett, and Austin Ekeler and all of them are also very talented players.
Having all those weapons at his disposal, Herbert will be a difficult matchup for the Texans defense, but can Pitre interrupt the opposing offense like he did last week?
This season, Pitre in his first three games as a pro has collected 12 solo tackles, 11 assisted tackles, one sack, two interceptions, and two passes defensed.
Pitre is showing why he was a second round pick, and if he can have success in Week 4 against the Chargers and Herbert, then his stock will skyrocket as this season continues.