(SportsRadio 610) - For the second consecutive game, it’s the Texans’ misfortune to play against a University of Alabama running back with a scorched-earth mentality.
If the Texans can’t stop the Raiders’ Josh Jacobs, how can the NFL’s worst run defense possibly contain the Titans’ Derrick Henry?
It can’t.
Why? Because the Texans are demonstrating they can’t stop the run for a third consecutive season.
One week after Jacobs torched the defense for 143 yards, a 7.2-yard average and three touchdowns in a 38-20 victory, the Texans play Henry, who’s dominated them so decisively he has an opportunity to set an NFL record on Sunday at NRG Stadium.
Mercifully, Henry didn’t play against the Texans last season because of an ankle injury, but in his three previous games, he embarrassed them in alarming fashion.
In the last game of the 2019 season, Henry carried 32 times for 211 yards and three touchdowns. In the first game of the 2020 season, he had 22 carries for 212 yards and two touchdowns. In the second game, he had 34 carries for 250 yards and two touchdowns.
That’s 673 yards on 88 carries and seven touchdowns in three games. Henry averaged 29.3 carries and 224.3 yards.
Henry has a chance to become the first player in history to rush for at least 150 yards in four consecutive games against one opponent. That should be a layup against a defense that’s so pathetic against the run.
No wonder coach Lovie Smith was singing Henry’s praises this week.
“I’ve had a chance to compete against some of the best backs to play the game,” Smith said. “Is Derrick Henry headed in that direction? Absolutely. You look at the best back in the league right now (and) he’ll be a part of that debate.”
Henry, 6-3, 243 pounds and playing in his seventh season, has put together three consecutive 100-yard performances to help the Titans recover from their 0-2 start to stand 4-2 and on top of the AFC South.
Henry rushed for 114 yards against Indianapolis, 102 against Washington and 128 against the Colts. His style is to run over and around defenders. He possesses the best stiff-arm in the game, which the Texans know all too well.
“He’s as big as our defensive ends,” Smith said. “(He) has as good of speed as some of our skill guys. (He) plays hard, pads low to the ground.
“These are the kind of guys that, as I talk about having an opportunity to play against some of the all-time greats, we (defense) look forward to competing against him. You want to see how you match up against the best.”
Be careful what you wish for, coach.
Sunday’s game could get ugly, perhaps even humiliating. Henry has that effect on the Texans.
They’re expected to play without injured defensive tackle Maliek Collins (chest), who plays the run better than anyone in their front seven. They’re already missing end Jonathan Greenard, who’s on injured reserve.
The Texans might catch a break that would allow the game to be close. They’ve had a chance to win every game in the fourth quarter, but they’ve pulled it off once at Jacksonville.
The Titans average 19.2 points. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who threw four interceptions in a loss to the Texans last season and four touchdown passes in a victory that clinched home-field advantage in the AFC, has a sprained ankle and hasn’t been able to practice.
Their best receiver, A.J. Brown plays for the Eagles. That means he won’t be able to torment the Texans until Thursday night when they host Philadelphia, his new team.
The Titans are 31st in offense (274.2 yards), including 20th in rushing (108.7). The Texans are 31st in defense (411.8), including 32nd against the run (164.7).
The defense has surrendered fewer than 136 yards rushing in one game, a loss to the Chargers. Subtract that defeat, and the Texans allow 181.4 yards rushing in the other five games. They give up 5.2 yards a carry. Only three teams have allowed more.
When it comes to the Texans’ run defense, there are no days off. After Henry finishes steamrolling them, they play the Eagles on Thursday night at NRG Stadium. Going into this weekend’s games, Philadelphia is ranked sixth in rushing after leading the league last season.
For the Texans’ run defense, there’s no rest for the weary. Coaches, players and Nick Caserio’s personnel department have to share the blame for a problem that’s persisted for the last three seasons and shows no signs of improvement.
John McClain can be heard Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on Sports Radio 610 and Monday and Thursday on Texans Radio. He does three weekly Houtopia Podcasts for SportsRadio610.com. He also can be read four times a week on GallerySports.com.