(SportsRadio 610) - Well, that was pretty ugly. The Texans fall to 1-5-1 after another loss at NRG Stadium against the Tennessee Titans.
Here are some observations from the game:
1. There were questions about Lovie Smith being able to adjust to complex college-like offensive schemes at Illinois. Those philosophies are common in the NFL now and on display with Malik Willis making his first start.
2. I'm in the process-over-results mindset with Smith as head coach. There are understood personnel limitations on the defense, but containing Willis in this game was a must.
3. Derrick Henry's 41-yard run on Tennessee's first drive would be a highlight for most running backs, but that's the norm when big No. 22 faces Houston.
4. How the hell is Randy Bullock still in the league? Sean Pendergast asked me this question in the press box, I had no answer.
5. The Texans looked like a pee wee team trying to run pick plays for the first time on the Davis Mills interception on their opening drive on offense. Jordan Akins knocked Brevin Jordan off his route. The entire process was a Mickey Mouse operation.
6. I'm not a body language expert, but it seemed like Brandin Cooks wasn't enjoying himself early in the game. The incompletion before the Tennessee muffed punt was a clinic in don't-give-a-damn body language.
7. After the muffed punt, the Texans went Juvenile and backed that ass up before punting. Is that a dated reference?
8. The Titans running the ball on third-and-nine with Dontrell Hilliard and picking up a first down was one of the most embarrassing moments of the season for one of the worst defenses in the NFL.
9. Steven Nelson has played really well this year. Malik Willis made it easy on the throw, but it was good to see Nelson capitalize and get in the stat sheet.
10. The crowd doesn't appear to like seeing Rex Burkhead run the ball so it's not a surprise that after Pep Hamilton ran a halfback pass with him, the boo birds made their first appearance.
11. Henry's ability to make grown men, especially Texans defenders, look silly was on display on the first TD of the game. It came after Willis missed a wide-open receiver on what probably would've been a TD, or at the very least a completion into the red zone.
12. The Titans got too cute at the end of the first half and it cost them a field goal. The Texans then called a timeout to make the Titans punt and took a knee after the punt. Goodness.
13. The Texans' first-half offensive effort was the worst half of offensive football I've ever witnessed. They had 35 yards in the half.
14. How did Dontrell Hilliard get cut here in 2020?
15. It's not realistic to expect much, but Christian Kirksey was a tough watch. That's going to be some tough tape for him to watch.
16. Jeffery Simmons might be the best player in the AFC South. The Titans getting him with the 19th pick in the 2019 Draft was robbery.
17. Davis Mills followed up his best game of the season with his worst game of the season.
18. A loss at this point is a good thing. It's time to start thinking draft position. Yes, we are there. Fortunately this roster has so many holes that they won't have to try to lose.
