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Houston Texans: Offense Has Signs Of Life; What’s Next?

By Louis Roesch

Oct 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz (87) celebrates with wide receiver Will Fuller (15) after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz (87) celebrates with wide receiver Will Fuller (15) after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Texans have an offense and it apparently has a name!  What is it?  Will Fuller V. Fuller’s 67-yard punt return in the third quarter gave Houston the lead for good in a 27-20 win over the Tennessee Titans this past Sunday.

The Houston Texans have an offense and it apparently has a name!  What is it?  Will Fuller V. Fuller’s 67-yard punt return in the third quarter gave Houston the lead for good in a 27-20 win over the Tennessee Titans this past Sunday.

The Texans are just two weeks removed from being embarrassed by rookie quarterback Jacoby Brisette and the New England Patriots, Brock Osweiler and the Texans were back home facing the Tennessee Titans. “The Oz” opened the game marching his Texans down the field on a nine-play 75-yard drive ending with a 14-yard touchdown toss to tight end  C.J. Fiedorowicz.

That was the beginning of “Billy Ball” as head coach Bill O’Brien took over the offensive play calling from offensive coordinator George Godsey.

Possession number two was nearly as flawless with Osweiler taking the men in steel blue down the feel this time on an 80-yard drive and a touchdown strike to Fuller.

O’Brien’s play calling seemed nothing less than brilliant especially as it seemed to revive the careers of their tight ends. In addition to Fiedorowicz’ touchdown catch, Ryan Griffin had a toss-and-catch play with Osweiler that went for 40+ yards as well.

Together, the tight end duo accounted for seven receptions on 10 targets for 102 yards and a score. Entering the contest, they had combined for just 12 receptions for 81 yards and no touchdowns in the team’s previous three games.

The day was going well and fans were about to settle comfortably into their seats for what looked like a possible rout.  In fact, until Fuller’s heroic punt return, it appeared as if the Texans were going to come out on the short end of the stick.

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So what does this weekend bring for the Texans against the Minnesota Vikings?

It has been four years since these teams have met and it was the Vikings that ran out of H-Town with a victory.

A lot has changed since then.

Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels and Arian Foster aren’t walking through that door.

But Derek Newton and Duane Brown are the most notable holdovers from their last meeting.

The Vikings — even without Matt Kalil and Adrian Peterson lost to injury — could start at least four players from that era.

But as this season progresses so far, it’s Sam Bradford that has his team on course through four games toward an undefeated season.  Since taking over Vikings’ offense for Shaun Hill back in Week 2, the former University of Oklahoma star has been nothing short of invaluable to his team.

Bradford has bested Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton and Eli Manning, winners of four of the last nine Super Bowls.  Not to mention the fact that he hasn’t had a turnover yet — the offense as a whole has just one — so it’s quite possible that Bradford is due for bad game.

It all depends on how strong the Texans’ defensive approach is.

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On the other hand, gets Duane Brown back this week and that should help the run-block game.

Lamar Miller has been serviceable but not spectacular through four games. With Brown back, not only should the run game get back on track but we should see better protection of Osweiler.

Defensively, both of these clubs offer high-caliber lines capable of generating offensive mistakes that lead to extra opportunities for their teams.

The Vikings defense leads the NFL with a +10 turnover differential in addition to its 15 sacks, six interceptions and five forced fumbles.

On top of that, Minnesota has allowed just nine plays of 20 yards or more and allowing a mere 12.5 points per game in 2016.

They’re off to their best defensive start since 1998, allowing just 47 points through their first four games.

Next: Are The Texans Pretenders Or Contenders?

This Texans’ defense is still reeling in regard to life without J.J. Watt.

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year is lost for the season.

Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel has held his gang together which would definitely attribute to their early success. The defense has 11 sacks and five takeaways through four games and will need stand-out performances from Whitney Mercilus and Jadaveon Clowney,

Both defenses will have to contend with emerging star receivers. The Vikings’ Stefon Diggs ranks fifth in the NFL with 372 receiving yards and a league leading 18 receptions resulting in a first down.

Minnesota gets to contend with Fuller who leads all rookies with 323 receiving yards and his 17 yards per catch ranks him just behind Julio Jones (22.0) and Marvin Jones (21.0). He is actually ahead of the likes of elite talents in the Steelers’ Antonio Brown and the Bengals’ A.J. Green.

Come late Sunday afternoon, Texans fans will have a much better idea of how far their team has come or how far it still has to go.

Stay tuned.

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