(SportsRadio 610) - Here are the weekly Texans observations as they come off the 20-20 tie with Indianapolis at NRG Stadium and prepare for their first road game against Denver:
COMMITTING MISTAKES AT THE WORST TIME
It’s hard to believe the Texans could have been any worse on offense in overtime, and if they pick up in Denver where they left off against the Colts, they’re doomed. We wonder Lovie Smith went for the tie rather than the victory. His offense proved in overtime it was shot.
On the first overtime possession, check out their ineptness. The pass blockers couldn’t protect quarterback Davis Mills. Defensive end Kwity Paye sacked Mills for a 7-yard loss on first down and a 4-yard loss on third down, forcing a punt.
Receiver Phillip Dorsett was called for an illegal shift that was declined. Right tackle Tytus Howard was called for a false start, leaving a third-and-22 situation at their 22 before Cam Johnston came on to punt.
TERRIBLE PLAY CALLING ON LAST DRIVE
The Texans got a reprieve in overtime when Rodrigo Blankenship misfired badly on what would have been a game-winning, 42-yard field goal. They got the ball at their 32. It was a tough series for center Justin Britt, a veteran who should produce better in these situations.
First, Britt was called for a false start, but they were able to overcome it when Davis Mills connected with Brandin Cooks on a 9-yard completion. Mills’ pass to Chris Moore gave them 9 yards on first down. On second-and-1, Pep Hamilton called for a pass that was incomplete. On third-and-1, Hamilton called on Rex Burkhead for the biggest play of the game.
Defensive tackle Grover Stewart blew by Britt like he was air and dumped Burkhead for a 2-yard loss, setting up third-and-3 at the Indianapolis 49 with 26 seconds left. Smith had seen enough of his offense and sent in the punt team, a decision that got him criticized locally and nationally.
CATCHING BRONCOS AT THE WORST TIME
Denver is coming off a 17-16 loss at Seattle in Russell Wilson’s first game with the Broncos. First-year coach Nathaniel Hackett was blasted around the country for trying a 64-yard field goal at the end rather than relying on Wilson to convert a fourth-down pass.
Wilson and the Broncos don’t want to start 0-2, and they expect the Texans to be their victims. Wilson has feasted on the Texans’ defense, winning last season at NRG Stadium and in Seattle in 2017 when he outdueled rookie Deshaun Watson with a fabulous game-winning drive.
The defense will have to play against Wilson the way it played against the Colts’ Matt Ryan for three quarters. The Texans led 20-3 early in the fourth quarter. Ryan had thrown for 145 yards. Then he threw for 207 in the fourth quarter and overtime, helping the Colts tie the game.
Wilson isn’t as mobile as he used to be, but he still moves and throws a lot better on the run than Ryan. Against the Seahawks, he was 29 of 42 for 340 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. His rating was 101.3. He was sacked twice. All signs point to trouble against the Texans.
GET THE BALL TO PIERCE
For some reason, Pep Hamilton had Rex Burkhead touch the ball 19 times, including 14 rushes, against the Colts. That’s got to change against the Broncos. Rookie Dameon Pierce is going to get better, and he needs the ball to prove it.
Burkhead ran 14 times for 40 yards, a 2.9-yard average. His longest run was 8 yards. Pierce carried 11 times for 33 yards, a 3-yard average. On one carry, he slipped and lost 3. His longest run also was 8 yards. Burkhead was targeted eight times and caught five passes for 30 yards, a 6-yard average.
Based on what Lovie Smith said Monday, Pierce can expect to get the ball more against the Broncos.
“Sometimes when you look back, you can’t defend the amount of reps our starting tailback got in some of those situations,” he said. “I wish he had gotten more, and we’re going to work to get him more of those opportunities.”
RUNNING GAME, RUN DEFENSE MUST IMPROVE
The Texans ran 28 times for 77 yards, a 2.8-yard average, against the Colts. Last season, they were the worst running team in the NFL. In 2020, they finished 31st. The Broncos limited the Seahawks to 76 yards rushing. Something’s got to give, right?
The Texans surrendered 177 yards against the Colts, including 161 by Jonathan Taylor, the league’s leading rusher last season. He didn’t have the benefit of a run more than 17 yards, and he took a beating around the line of scrimmage.
Against the Seahawks, the Broncos had 20 carries for 103 yards, a 5.2-yard average.
If the first game was an indication, the running game and run defense are looking bleak at Denver.
MILLS HAS TO PLAY WELL FOR A FULL GAME
Davis Mills finished the Indianapolis game 23 of 37 for 240 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. His rating was a respectable 98.9. He was sacked three times.
Against the Broncos, Mills will have to play for four quarters -- and overtime if he has to – a lot more effectively than he did against the Colts.
In the fourth quarter and overtime, Mills was 3 of 8 for 21 yards. He was sacked twice on the first series of overtime. In the fourth quarter, he threw four passes without a completion. Mills played a key role in the Texans blowing the 17-point lead in the fourth quarter.
“I’m definitely disappointed,” he said. “We knew we could win. We put ourselves in a good spot. Taking responsibility on offense, I think we could have played better later in the game and capitalized on some of our opportunities because the opportunities were there.”
HOWARD IS MILLS’ NEW BEST FRIEND
Last season, the Texans’ tight ends combined for three touchdown catches, all by rookie Brevin Jordan. In his first game since the Texans acquired him the week before the season, veteran O.J. Howard caught two touchdown passes from Davis Mills, the first for 16 yards and a 10-3 lead and the second for 22 yards and a 20-3 advantage. Those were his only two catches. Memo to Pep Hamilton: Against the Broncos, find ways to get the ball more to Howard.
“O.J. came in, put his head down (and) got to work,” Mills said. “I think he's in a good spot right now. He made some big-time plays. Having him is an addition (that’s) going to help a lot.”
EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE BY SPECIAL TEAMS
If the Texans have a prayer of upsetting the Broncos the way they almost did against the Colts, they’ll need another terrific performance from their special teams.
Ka’imi Fairbairn kicked field goals of 45 and 43 yards. Fans were dying for him to get a third chance in overtime. The Colts didn’t return any of his five kickoffs. It was an outstanding performance by Fairbairn.
Last year, general manager Nick Caserio gave one contract of more than two years to a free agent, and it continues to pay off. Punter Cam Johnston had a 45.4-yard gross and a 41-yard net. He had three punts inside the 20. The Colts averaged 6.2 yards on five punt returns.
If Frank Ross’ special teams play against the Broncos the way they played against the Colts, the Texans should at least be in the game.
John McClain can be heard Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on SportsRadio 610 and Monday and Thursday on Texans Radio.