Week 5 is here, and the Houston Texans face a division rival, the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Texans are in a must-win this week because if they don’t win they can kiss any hopes of the playoffs goodbye.
The Texans must establish the run early, improve their run defense, and get the ball to other receivers to have a chance to defeat the host Jaguars this Sunday.
Here are three players that may step up that we need to watch that make a difference in Week 5 five against the Jaguars.
Dameon Pierce, RB
Texans fans are thanking their lucky stars that the organization stole Dameon Pierce in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, who now looks to be the best back in the entire draft.
Pierce is looking like a top running back in the league and is just starting his career. Averaging over 4.0 yards per carry may increase the more Houston’s offensive line adjusts to the run protection, making space for Pierce to get downhill.
Every time Pierce has room, he shoots out like a rocket and makes people miss tackles or runs them over. The Jacksonville Jaguars have a great defense and will look to stop Pierce in the backfield early and often if the offensive line can’t keep up. If the Texans can stay within a score, Pierce should receive 20-plus carries and hopefully tire out the Jags’ defense, allowing Davis Mills to throw more and take chances downfield.
Pierce’s touches will continue to increase, and be ready to see him now involved in the receiving game. The Texans don’t want to keep making it evident that they will throw the ball to Rex Burkhead when he comes in, so we can anticipate Pierce to have a more significant role catching the ball and becoming a well-rounded back.
Nico Collins, WR
The Texans’ passing offense has been bad and needs to change. They are currently near the bottom for passing yards and points. Mills has struggled big time and needs to ensure he is going through his reads.
Houston must score more to chance a chance to win games, and they can’t rely on Brandin Cooks so much. Davis Mills is improving on his play each week by passing more often to other receivers, and Nico Collins needs to be the 1B to Cooks in this offense.
Houston must utilize his talents and physical presence more going downfield and in the red zone.
With how great Pierce has been running the ball, teams will start to expect the run often, leaving more opportunities for Mills to throw it downfield. If Mills wants to ensure his spot as the starting quarterback for the rest of the season, he must target Collins more often and take a risk on the physically dominant receiver.
Collins currently has 11 receptions for 207 receiving yards, and he needs to get the ball more for the Texans to win this game.
Jerry Hughes, DL
The Texans need someone to step up on defense if they want a chance to win this game, and Jerry Hughes might be that.
Hughes currently leads the Texans in sacks with four and the veteran has been an excellent addition to the defense and the leader the Texans need.
Hughes will have to apply significant pressure on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and bring up that sack total. The Texans must force throws and not allow the Jags to run all over them like they had let other teams do in previous games.
The Jags have a fantastic running back tandem in James Robinson and Travis Etienne. The Texans give up the 31st most rushing yards to opposing backs, so if the Texans want a chance, Hughes and the defense will have to adjust the run defense dramatically because the Jags will look to utilize the backs early and often.
If the Jags come out hot, it won’t be easy to slow them down, but if the Texans can cause some three-and-outs, they may have a chance this week against a division rival.