(SportsRadio 610) - Texans quarterback Tyrod Taylor acknowledged timing on some of his throws was an issue when he returned from injury against the Miami Dolphins nearly two weeks ago.
This turned out to be one his worst performances as a pro, throwing three interceptions and failing to lead a touchdown drive for Houston.
Taylor told reporters Wednesday that he used the bye week to watch film with a critical eye and clean up some things.
"Some balls out there that I left out on the field. Some plays that were left on the field as well too, typically you make those plays," Taylor said. "I never look at it and blame the time off. I was fully confident going into that game in my ability to go out and perform at a high level. Just didn’t meet that mark. Like I said, watch it with a critical eye, put it behind me, eyes forward and continue playing well."
If the Texans are going to score a touchdown on the road for the first time since Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns (they've played four road games since), they will certainly need Taylor to be the best version of himself.
But it's not just Taylor who's struggled. The offensive line is missing starters at both tackle spots and at center. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil has been sidelined for a month after undergoing thumb surgery. Right tackle Marcus Cannon had season ending back surgery and center Justin Britt is dealing with another knee injury.
And at the guard spots, Houston's 2019 first- and second-round draft picks Tytus Howard and Max Scharping have underperformed (though offensive coordinator disagrees with some advanced stats showing Howard as the worst guard in the NFL).
With Mark Ingram traded to the Saints, the running backs left on this roster have a combined 294 yards (matching Ingram's total before he was traded) at 3.15 yards per carry.
Wide receiver Chris Conley also spoke this week about how routes have either been incorrect, or not always as crisp as they should be.
The point is, the Texans need more than a better Taylor performance.
"When you’re 1-8, every group needs to do better," Culley said Wednesday. "All groups need to do better at what we are doing right now. There are some specific things at that receiver group that they feel needed to get better at, but that goes with all of groups. I don’t think any of us have done anything from a coaching standpoint and a playing standpoint as consistent as we would like to do. We got to get better in all those areas."
Especially against a Titans defense giving up the seventh-fewest rushing yards per game and ranking ninth in pass DVOA, which measures efficiency, according to Football Outsiders.
Kelly spoke Thursday about how critical it will be to locate Titans defensive end Jeffery Simmons on every play. The Titans also added former Colts defensive lineman Denico Autry and linebacker Harold Landry III leads the team with 10 sacks.
"They’re playing great football right now," Taylor said of the Titans. "The team in general obviously, the defense is a very talented bunch. A lot of energy when you watch them on defense. They run to the ball, making plays. Definitely going to boil down to us executing, going out there, obviously taking our shots when we can. But, executing up and down the field and finishing in the red zone with touchdowns and not field goals."