The Houston Texans and the Detroit Lions meet in akey battle gamefor both sides on Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium.
TheHouston Texansand the Detroit Lions meet in akey battle gamefor both sides on Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium.
Houston enters Sunday afternoon’s contest with a bye week looming. Detroit, as weird as it may sounds, is in the hunt for an NFC North title.
The Lions are just one game back behind the Green Bay Packers who trail the division-leading Minnesota Vikings by one game.
Detroit has won three-in-a-row while the Texans are 3-0 on their home turf this season.
As this gridiron battle plays out, here are three things to keep in perspective:
Matthew Staffordhas thrown for just smidgen shy of 1,500 yards in 2016. Many may have thought that with the departure ofCalvin Johnsonto retirement, the Lions’ offense would stagnant but the opposite has occurred.
One of the reasons has been the play of his receiving corps inMarvin JonesJr. andAnquan Boldin.
Fans might be surprised to hear that the eight-year veteran is playing at a MVP-level.
One of those reasons — as he closes in on 30,000 career passing yards — is the fact that 55 percent of his yards this season have come after the catch.
Topic #1: Yards Per Catch
Why is yards after the catch so critical to the game with the Texans?Houston plays a defense that backs off and gives the receiver room to catch the ball and has not been a solid open field tackling team.
If that happens Sunday, the Lions’ signal-caller will have another “Monster Sunday” scaring the “bejeesus” out of the Texans’ secondary ahead of Halloween this Monday.
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Topic #2: Rush Defense Play
The Houston Texans have given up10 rushing touchdownsthis season, second most in the NFL allowing an average of 135 yards per game despite facing the rushing offense of the Minnesota Vikings (74.3 yards per game), the Indianapolis Colts (98 yards per game) and the Kansas City Chiefs (109 yards per game).
Why does the Houston Texans rush defense matter?
Houston faces a Lions rushing attack that ranks 24th in the NFL.
The Lions average less than four yards per carry and have found the end zone just three times in 2016.
As previously mentioned, the Texans have made the average offensive rush attack look like Super Bowl contenders surrendering over a 100 yards five times already this season. If Romeo Crennel’s boys don’tshut down the run, Stafford will have a field day and guys like Theo Reddick will look likeO.J. Simpson.
Justin Forsett, who is working himself into the Lions offense, has averaged 5.9 yards per carry against the Texans with three runs of 20 yards plus.
The battle on Sunday will be won in the trenchesand if Houston has an advantage over the Lions it’s right there.
The Texans’ quarterback play this season has been much maligned and well it should considering that Houston’s offensive line play ranks 13th in the NFL while the Lions are near the bottom at 27th.
Having said that the rushing attack has just one touchdown in 2016 ranking them worst in the NFL.
Next: HOU Vs. DET: Week 8 Game Status Analysis
Topic #3: Defensive Line Play
What makes Sunday’s line play so important?Lions quarterbackMatthew Staffordhas been sacked 18 times in seven games but as been hit 13 times fewer than Houston’sBrock Osweiler.
Detroit’s run game has just three runs of 10 yards or more to the right while they have nine for 10 plus yards to the left side.
Houston’s run attack is well balanced in that regard with 24 runs for 10 plus yards as eight have gone to the left, the right and straight up the middle.
Both sides will need a run game to win and at least on paper, Houston can do that just a smidgen better than Detroit.
Sunday’s game is one fans should be excited about as the team heads into itsbye week.
Bill O’Brienhas shown that he can produce out of the bye as the Texans have averaged a record of 5-2 under his tutelage.
A win against the lines makes Houston 5-3 going into the bye which means based on his track record at worst, Houston fans can say good bye to a 9-7 team and hello to a 10-6 AFC South Champion.
Let’s continue to hope that I’m right.
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