HOUSTON -- While the Texans are putting a greater emphasis on taking the ball away defensively, it's well understood they won't be very good if they don't take care of the ball when they have it.
They simply did not do that Saturday night in their preseason finale against the reigning Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Texans' quarterbacks coughed it up four times against Tampa -- a fumble by presumed starter Tyrod Taylor and three interceptions by rookie backup Davis Mills.
Houston only lost by one possession, 23-16, even with its carelessness with the football.
"The first priority on offense is not to give up the ball, and we gave it up way too many times," Texans head coach David Culley said after the game. "One is too many. It doesn't matter how many you get on defense, when you turn it over on offense your chances of winning are very slim. And that was very disappointing, and that's something we have been doing a good job of up until tonight."
The Texans were down 7-0 in the second quarter trying to convert a 3rd-and-6 from their own 39-yard line. Taylor snapped the ball from the shotgun and tried to scramble out of the pocket. But Tampa Bay edge rusher Joe Tyron-Shoyinka broke loose from Houston backup left tackle Geron Christian, playing for Laremy Tunsil who is on the COVID-19 reserve list, and knocked the ball away from Taylor.
"For sure, turning the ball over is definitely not a recipe for winning in this league, and that starts at the quarterback position," Taylor said after the game. "We can be better. I can be better, first and foremost, and we can be better as a unit. ...
"Whenever you move the pocket, definitely have to have two hands on the ball. Guy came around from the back, poked it around, great play by him. But for me, more on the careless side. Could be better at that. Of course on third downs, you definitely want to see the chains move and have that opportunity to put it down and continue to extend the play. But he made a great play. I'll be better."
Taylor's fumble ultimately only cost the Texans time. Charles Omenihu sacked Bucs backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert on the very next play, then defensive back Terrence Brooks picked him off the play after that.
The Texans punted on that possession, pinning the Bucs deep in their own territory, and a fumbled snap resulted in a safety, Houston's first points of the game.
Mills then threw an interception to Bucs cornerback Herb Miller on a pass intended for Chris Moore. That was another turnover that cost Houston more time than anything, since Tampa Bay punted it right back.
Mills threw another interception, this time to cornerback Dee Delaney intended for Nico Collins with just 58 seconds left in the first half. This time, Tampa had a short enough field to march down into field goal range.
Kicker Jose Borregales kicked a 36-yard field goal to give the Bucs a 16-2 lead.
Mills' third and final interception came late in the fourth quarter, when the Texans were driving downfield and appeared poised to tie the game.
But his pass intended for Keke Coutee was picked off, again by Delaney, essentially securing the victory for Tampa.
Brandon Scott manages digital content for SportsRadio 610. Follow him on Twitter @brandonkscott.
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