(SportsRadio 610) - The Texans picked up their first win of the season in week five's matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
They go into the bye week 1-3-1.
Here are some observations from the game:
1. Derek Stingley Jr. giving it a go and being active might seem like a small thing, but I don't look at it that way. In fact, I look at it the opposite.
A young player whose biggest questions heading into the draft were centered around durability playing through an injury is a great sign, especially on a winless team and especially when he stayed in the game last week after leaving the field with the injury.
2. Frank Ross's special teams have been elite. After the offense failed to capitalize on good field position in the first quarter, Cam Johnston pinned the Jags at the one-yard line.
3. Desmond King fair catching the ball at the four-yard-line was a special teams mistake shortly after Johnston's punt.
4. Dameon Pierce is a BEAST and has shown it all year, but Nick Caserio shouldn't be afraid to use an elite asset in the offseason to get another back.
5. Jacksonville used their extra draft equity to acquire running back Travis Etienne in the first round of the 2021 Draft despite James Robinson rushing for 1,070 yards and seven touchdowns in his rookie season the previous year.
The Texans have a massive issue with running back depth and need to improve the position's depth. I'm not saying Caserio should take a running back with his extra first-rounder (although Robinson and Gibbs are intriguing), but there needs to be something done.
6. Fairbairn recovered nicely from last week's miss and was nailing field goals in the first half. The fact the CBS broadcast crew seemed so excited to see some points and put some extra mustard in the calls made the kicking seem even more impressive on TV.
7. Linebacker Garrett Wallow had an excellent first half, which is nice to see. He and Christian Harris can hopefully provide some youth and excitement to one of the weakest positions on the roster.
8. Davis Mills had some really bad misses in the first half. Accuracy is a problem with him and he's been very mediocre for the majority of the season.
9. Stingley's first career interception couldn't have come at a better time. Dude is a baller. What an awful toss by Trevor Lawrence, though.
10. The third down chain-moving run by Rex Burkhead on the possession after the Stingley INT was Burkhead's best run of the season. It extended the drive, allowed the Texans' defense to get more rest, gave Johnston more room to punt if needed and I'm sure the Texans staff loved it because they're sick of media types like myself talking about Rex.
11. I had no issue with Lovie Smith punting on 4th-and-1 near midfield in the third quarter, but can understand if some fans wanted the Texans to go for it. The defense was playing well at that point, which is why I'd punt.
12. On the very next possession, Doug Pederson went for it on 4th-and-1 and the Texans defense rewarded Lovie Smith for the trust.
13. I wonder where Burkhead ranks around the league in third down touches. I can't wait to see these numbers.
`14. Not too many casual observers enjoyed viewing this football game. Not even the great Mother Football.
15. Nico Collins has been pretty good the last couple of weeks, even better than the stats say, but mediocre QB play has minimized the statistical impact. That 22-yard catch in the fourth was a grown ass man reception.
16. Travon Walker's two penalties on 3rd-and-20 in the fourth quarter, highlighted by the unnecessary roughness that extended the series, was one of the worst rookie mistakes you'll see in a ballgame.
17. Trevor Lawrence said Walker and Mills were buddies from their high school days in Georgia earlier in the week during his media availability. Not a great way to treat a buddy.
18. The Jaguars should've had another penalty that extended that drive, but instead the refs called a phantom false start on the Texans.
19. The next play Mills threw a DIME to Jordan Akins to move the chains on 3rd-and-10.
20. Right after that nice pitch and catch, Dameon Pierce had his most impressive run of the season that reminded me so much of the late Marion Barber it's not even funny.
21. It was good to see the Texans go right back to Pierce after his near fumble. Stop the BS and let the kid learn from his mistakes.
22. This was a much-needed win for the Texans and humbling loss for Jacksonville.
