Houston Texans: Bill O'Brien's Offensive Keys For The Steelers

The Houston Texans will undeniable fresh legs as they have had about a week and half off after playing two tough games over the course of four days last week.

Both efforts were mighty but they were losses that were the root of offensive miscues that would’ve affected the outcome of the game had they not happened.

But miscues will happen.

People are human and it’s all part of that element.

But it must be minimized as much as possible to get the coveted outcome of being the victor in any given contest.

Bill O’Brien sat down with the media Wednesday during his usual available time and answered questions in regard to the team’s struggling offense — currently ranked 19th.

Here are three important points that he mentioned:

Staying on the Field

"“I think staying on the field is the biggest thing for us,” he said. “Stringing drives together, you always love the explosive plays and I’m not saying we want to avoid those, I’m saying we want to be able to string together some first downs, some good drives, keep the defense off the field and control the tempo, go at whatever pace we want to go at, all those things. I think that will be a big key for us this week.”"

The Indianapolis Colts held on to possession of the ball 13 minutes longer than the Texans last week in addition to the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants having the ball about five minutes longer.

This is an important strategy because this season has shown that if the team is in control of the possession longer or is at least even with their opponent, it’s likely that they will win.

Limiting the “Ben Roethlisberger Effect”

"“You have to make sure that you understand whether it’s based on their personnel, their formations, doing your job within the call that is made,” he said. So when RAC [Romeo Crennel] makes the call, our guys have to do our jobs whatever that call entails. Maybe that call entails this pressure or this coverage or this type of leverage. Whatever it might be, our guys have to realize that when you get caught out of position, when you’re not doing your job that is when a guy like this, like Ben, makes you pay because he’ll find that. He’ll find that soft spot and make you pay. Our guys just need to go out there and make sure they’re really focused and doing their job one every play.”"

This is extremely important — Big Ben is not your prototypical QB, he has a large, brawny frame and he is difficult to take down defensively. J.J. Watt will have his hands full next week. Roethlisberger also uses his legs to get the yards needed so it will take an all-out effort by the Front 7 to stop him.

Initiating better starts to games

"“Each week is different,” he said. This week’s problems were different then maybe the previous weeks. We’re just trying to eliminate any issue that starts a game whether it’s in the running game, in the drop back pass, completing the ball or whether it’s a protection issue. When you look back at the games, not to dwell on the past, but it’s been an issue really; it’s one thing throughout the phase, which offense is about everybody working together. If that’s not working, you’re not going to have any yards.”"

Absolutely. The Texans offensively sputtered out the gate this past Thursday against the Colts, spotting them 24 points before getting into a rhythm at the beginning of the 2nd quarter. This has been characteristic of how the team has played in past games as well, particularly the losses.

He also doesn’t want last week’s debacle to creep up again.

"“I don’t think we want to get into a position where we got into last game anytime throughout the year,” he said."

Let’s hope these keys will see the Texans through next week — this team needs a win in the worst way and so do the Pittsburgh Steelers who have been reeling as of late.

Houston Texans: Bill O’Brien’s Offensive Keys For The Steelers

By Brian K. Patterson | Oct 16, 2014

Staying on the Field

Limiting the “Ben Roethlisberger Effect”

Initiating better starts to games