There's no way around the reality that the Texans' offense has been substandard this season.
After a promising debut year for offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and quarterback C.J. Stroud, both have watched the offensive production dip this season. They rank 22nd in total offense going into their wild-card home matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday.
Last year, going into the same round against the Cleveland Browns, Houston ranked 12th in total offense. The passing game dipped from seventh to 21st. And while the rushing attack is improved from 22nd to 15th, the Texans are still fairly inconsistent running the football.
Slowik still seems optimistic. When he spoke with media members this week, he had this to say about needing a spark:
"Naturally you get to the playoffs and everyone’s season is on the line. There is just a different speed to the game, there is a different physicality to the game, there is a different intensity to the game, you can’t avoid that. We know that we have had some ups and downs on offense this year and there has been a lot of evolving as an entire group. I would say the last three weeks in particular, we have really honed in on what we need to do in both areas, run and the pass game.
"Really all across the board that we think fits us as a group and who we have out there and our identity as a team that we can really press forward with. Then that takes time to even grow into that. As we work through some things, even the last three weeks our emphasis beyond that was that we have to do everything we can to start to get hot. That is really all it takes, if you get hot as an offense especially around this time of year that is a really good thing for your team and your organization.
"I would say this year, generally I think last year we has a few hot streaks in there. I feel like this year we didn’t have as many hot streaks and strides that we hit for multiple games as an offense this year. That has really been our intent is how on the details can we be as we go through every single one of these practices and weeks so that we can start a spark."
Slowik was later asked about the biggest difference in his second year calling plays for the Texans.
“Every year is different," he said. "You can go into seasons, and you can think you have a certain group or a certain scheme or certain style that you think you are going to be able to go in and play and do. But it happens every year, it changes and evolves as you go and that process this year has without a doubt happened. I think last year I probably found the answer fast than I have this year. But I feel like we have really gotten to a place where coaching staff, organization, and players all feel good about where we are going."
Was Slowik trying to fool us, or himself, when he said they finally feel good about this offense? In The Loop dives into it to start the show.
Listen to the audio player or watch above for the full segment
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