We are 4 weeks into the NFL season, and I believe most can say that the Houston Texans are where they were expected to be so far. Currently with a record of 3 losses and 1 tie. Despite their record, the Texans don’t look like the same team as we saw last year. Yes, they haven’t won a game after 4 games, but they have been in contention to win each game. Fighting down to the wire week after week but haven’t figured out how to close out a game when leading or make a stop defensively to give the offense a shot at the end of the game. Let’s break down each game and preview Houston Texan’s week 5 matchup against division rival Jacksonville Jaguars.
On opening day, the Texans faced the Indy Colts in a matchup many expected the Colts to run away with after signing Matt Ryan as their starting quarterback to team up with top running back Jonathan Taylor. Despite being the underdog to open the season the Texans took a 10 – 0 lead going into the half and added 10 more points in the 3rd quarter to take a 20 – 0 lead heading into the 4th quarter. In the fourth, the Houston Texans just had to control the clock and protect the ball, but the game hit a big U-turn after Davis Mills fumbles the ball early in the fourth leading to a Colts rushing touchdown making the score 13-20.
Texans then punt the ball after going 4 and out and the Indianapolis Colts go 80 yards on 7 plays to tie the ball game. After multiple punts in the last minutes of the fourth, the game goes into overtime where each team had a possession that led to missed field go by the Colts and a punt by the Texans, and the game ended in a 20-20 tie after a Colts final possession. A game that should have been a win turned into a huge disappointment for all Texans fans to start the season.
In week 2 Houston Texans headed to Denver to face a Broncos team that was also a big favorite to win. New quarterback Russell Wilson leading the way didn’t have the best day of his career only throwing 14-31 with 1 touchdown giving the Texans a chance to win the game. The Texans were able to gain a small lead going into the 4th off 3 made field goals by Ka’imi Fairbairn.
Again, another game that the Houston Texans fail to lock in and win a game. In the 4th the Texans disappeared on both sides of the ball. Despite the Broncos not playing their best, they were the team to make the stops and score the touchdown to give them the lead and a field goal with 3:36 left in the fourth to give them a 1-score lead. In the end, the Texans had no answers and couldn’t get their offense going in the air or on the ground. The Denver Broncos’ defense was just a bit better in the fourth quarter to hold them off winning 16-9.
Up against the Chicago Bears the Houston Texans had to play from behind going down 10-0 in the middle of the 1st quarter before marching down the field for 75 yards and scoring on a touchdown pass from Mills to Jordan Akins. This game turned into a back-and-forth battle for the lead as the Texans were able to take the lead going into halftime leading 14-13. In the second half, the Houston Texans were able to add field goals to the scoreboard while the Bears added a touchdown on a 1-yard rushing score by Khalil Herbert. Again, the Texans were fighting hard to stay in the game, and it came down to their last position in the final two minutes of the game.
Starting at their own 17-yard line Texans were able to move the ball 9 yards before the last play where Davis Mills and the offense set up in a no-huddle shotgun formation and attempts a short pass but is picked off by Roquan Smith and returned for 18 yards to set up Bears for the game-winning 30-yard field goal as time expired. Another disappointment by the Texans in a game that if they would have just protected the ball the game could have gone into overtime and maybe a different outcome instead of a 23-20 loss to the Bears
LA Chargers were the visiting team this week as the favorite and looked like the favorites after taking a 21-0 lead in the 2nd quarter. But signs of life from the Texans offense after a huge run from rookie running back Dameon Pierce breaks for a 75-yard running on the first play for the touchdown to bring the score to 21-7. Before the half, the Chargers added 2 more field goals increasing the lead to 27-7 before halftime and killing any hope the fans had going into the half. The majority of the second half from the start was all Texans as they cut down the lead and lock in on defense to get back into the game.
Scores from Rex Burkhead and Brandin Cooks on passes from Davis Mills and a field goal from Fairbairn to get within 3 with 8 minutes left in the 4th. One stop is all the Texans needed to put themselves in a position to win the game, but the Chargers were too much for the Texan’s defense as they easily marched down the field for 84 yards on 12 plays using up 6 minutes to score on an Austin Ekeler 14-yard touchdown reception. Texans had another position to stay in the game, but it was cut short after Mills throws his second interception to kill the hopes of winning the game. Chargers end the game to win 34-24 giving the Houston Texans a 0-3-1 record.
Week after week the Houston Texans show some fight and look to be going in the right direction despite the close losses. Many would say it’s not good enough but compared to last year the Houston Texans have displayed an improved team but haven’t found that extra effort at the end to close out games. Can they find it in week 5 as they face the Jacksonville Jaguars who are 2-2 and leading the AFC South after 4 games? The Jaguars are led by 2nd-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence who is on pace to surpass his rookie stats already tossing 8 touchdowns on a 65.7 completion percentage and can also hurt you with his feet. Another challenge for the Texans defense which has allowed 254.3 passing yards and 172 rushing yards could be a breakout game for star running back James Robinson who has had a 1,000-yard season in his rookie season.
Texans will have their hands full on defense and the offense will need more out of Davis Mills, who has as many interceptions as he does touchdowns. If the Texans can limit their turnovers and really get their running game going with Dameon Pierce, we may see Houston get their first win of the season. In another game that may come down to the final minutes will the Texans find that extra boost of energy to close out a game and get the first win? Don’t count out the Texans this week as they going into Jacksonville and take the win 28 – 24
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