Houston Texans: ‘Blowing it for Bryce’ in full effect against Commanders

Stop me if you’ve heard this before but the Houston Texans lost on Sunday. While that might not be all that big a surprise considering how the season has gone, this game did feel a little different because of how bad it went so quickly. Back when another Alabama quarterback was considered a shoo-in for being one of the top picks in the draft, the Miami Dolphins fans had a cool “Tanking for Tua” catch phrase that I assume made them feel better about all the losing. It feels like it’s time to get our own motto, perhaps “Blowing it for Bryce.”

Bryce Young is the odds-on favorite to be the first overall pick, especially if it’s held by the Houston Texans. That’s despite claims by GM Nick Caserio and head coach Lovie Smith that the team isn’t just trying to lock up the first pick. Anyone who watched the game against the Washington Commanders will have a hard time being convinced the Texans aren’t trying to lose at this point.

It’s especially hard to convince anyone that the Houston Texans aren’t trying to lose when they start the game with a pick-six, end the half down 20-0 and apparently don’t even think about benching Davis Mills.

If Caserio and company are “Blowing it for Bryce,” then perhaps fans can take solace in the fact that they are quite a bit better at that than they are gameplanning for a Commanders team that is certainly pretty decent, but hardly world-beaters.

Keep in mind that while Washington has some playmakers that can be pesky as all get out, they are middling in the NFL when it comes to stopping the run. However, on Sunday, Ron Rivera’s defense looked like the steel curtain as it allowed a grand total of 21 yards on 16 carries.

Rookie of the year candidate Dameon Pierce had eight (8!!!!) yards on 10 carries. Is it possible that the 10 carries is proof that “Blowing it for Bryce” is in full effect? How do you manage to give your best player the ball so few times?

At this point, the Houston Texans’ season is essentially over. Even if they were somehow to turn an insane corner and win the rest of their games, they’re almost certainly not getting into the post season with an 8-8-1 record. Not in this AFC.

So is there any point at being mad that the Houston Texans looked positively awful on Sunday? Maybe it’s time to look at it from a different angle. “Blowing it for Bryce” is fully underway and Lovie Smith and company did an excellent job of cementing the number one pick.