(SportsRadio 610) - If the Houston Texans stand any chance of being competitive against the Buffalo Bills this Sunday in Orchard Park, they can't look the way they did against the Carolina Panthers this past Thursday night.
Sam Darnold was able to work the middle of the field, often finding speedy wide receiver D.J. Moore and since-traded tight end Dan Arnold to gash the Texans' defense for chunk plays.
Whether it was a lack of depth from the Texans' linebackers or the safeties playing too deep in zone coverage, they struggled to find an answer for Darnold. The Panthers quarterback finished 23-of-34 with 304 passing yards in their 24-9 win in Houston.
The Texans travel to Western New York this week to face Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who's playing like a perennial MVP candidate.
After a poor performance in the Bills' season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Allen has responded well. The 25-year-old was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance last Sunday against the Washington Football Team, where he went 32-of-43 (74.4%) for 358 yards and totaled five touchdowns.
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"He has a very, very strong arm and he’s not scared to show it," Texans slot corner Desmond King II said Wednesday. "We’ve seen it in film multiple times of him getting out of the pocket and finding [Stefon] Diggs in the end zone. So, we definitely have to be more discipline when he is getting out of the pocket and scrambling and just not coming out of our coverage."
Tremon Smith is playing outside cornerback opposite Vernon Hargreaves III, since starter Terrance Mitchell was placed in the concussion protocol from an injury sustained in Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns.
When asked what the secondary could learn from mistakes against the Panthers, Smith mentioned "depth," and being in the right position in coverage.
“Just knowing what defensive call we are in and what our responsibility for that play is," Smith said. "That all factors into it, of course, and just being where we are supposed to be."
Bills head coach Sean McDermott praised Allen earlier this week for having the right balance of taking what the defense gives him, and creating on his own.
That's what the Texans are up against, trying not to give too much, but also staying ready for such a unique playmaker.
"Knowing that he is not just a pocket QB," King said when asked about the challenge of defending Allen. "This is a guy that if nothing is open, he is going to run the ball and he’s not looking to slide. Like, this is a guy that’s very physical, a great quarterback, a guy that wants to run the ball and is going to get yards with it. So, we got to know that containing him is going to be very important and also making him uncomfortable in the pocket."
Brandon Scott manages digital content for SportsRadio 610 in Houston. Follow him on Twitter: @brandonkscott.