Houston Texans Takeaways: How bad can they get?
The Houston Texans are a disaster. Against the Miami Dolphins, the team continued to underwhelm. The Dolphins dominated the Texans’ defense, picking apart the team with Tua Tagoviola at the helm. The Texans were lucky in a way that the Dolphins sat Tagoviola in the second half and instead brought in Skylar Thompson, who struggled significantly.
The Texans’ offense began to pick up in the second half, but it was evident that the Dolphins’ defense already knew the game was over and allowed the Texans to score 15 points.
Kyle Allen began to play better, and the Texans knew they would have to draft a quarterback before the game, but the embarrassing performance has cemented that thought process. The organization can now select Bryce Young from Alabama or CJ Stroud from Ohio State.
Bad Quarterback play, terrible offensive line effort
The Houston Texans’ offensive line looks to continue to be a concern. The O-line looked to have improved this season, but in recent weeks, the lack of time in the quarterback’s pocket has been unacceptable.
Regardless of how amazing Laremy Tunsil has been, he can’t be the be-all and end-all for the team. Tytus Howard against the Dolphins pass rush was awful, allowing the defense to apply pressure easily. Kenyon Green has shown no potential to live up to his draft price. Green continues to show sloppy technique and make rookie errors, and at this point in the season, his play is unacceptable.
The O-line is terrible, but not enough of an excuse for the pathetic quarterback play. At one point in the game, Kyle Allen attempted a no-look pass to Dameon Pierce, which went just as well as expected. It ended in an interception. Allen improved in the second half with a solid connection with Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins, but it was far too late.
Time to say bye to Pep Hamilton
When the offense’s heart and success this season has been with the run, they should run the ball. Dameon Pierce has established himself as a very talented running back but only had five rushing attempts, which doesn’t make any sense.
Each week it becomes clearer that Pep Hamilton is not the answer for this offense. His playcalling is questionable, to say the least. Fans are tired of Hamilton trying plays that clearly don’t work, and now fans are left wondering when he will be relieved of his duties.
The team looks like they have given up. The effort on the field has diminished, showing that the belief and trust in Hamilton is gone, and the team has no confidence that this offense can get anything going, especially when Hamilton fails to utilize his best players.
After the loss to Dolphins, Brandin Cooks had no problem being honest after being asked when the Texans knew they were overmatched
He said,
"“When did the Texans know they were overmatched? Immediately. “From the moment we came out,” Brandin Cooks said. “I’m talking from an offensive standpoint, the moment we stepped out there. That’s truth. That’s facts.”"
This coming week the Texans take on Deshaun Watson and his new team, the Cleveland Browns. It is clear that the Houston Texans have cemented the first overall selection, but this game is more significant than the rest.
Watson will be in for quite the welcome; he will hear boos and foul language the minute he steps onto the field. Texans fans will feel a sense of excitement and happiness for once this season if the team can magically takedown the Browns. The enthusiasm of beating Watson would give the fans some joy to hold onto, and in addition, a Browns loss will only improve the Texans draft pick they received from the Browns.
If the Houston Texans play as they did this past week against the Browns, there must be major changes throughout the organization. Fans need some hope, and if they lose again this week against a team that fans have been waiting for all season, and viewership they have had will plummet.