Houston Texans: Three reasons why the team lost to the Colts
By T.A. Mock
Rushing attack stalled yet again
Before we get going on this one, let’s acknowledge that this was a strength for the vast majority of the season and something that powered the Houston Texans nine-game winning streak in the middle of the season.
However, the final four weeks of the season and yesterday in the playoffs, the run gaming was unable to get going and the team suffered because of it. In the game that ended the Texans nine-game winning streak, also against the Colts, the Texans only managed 89 yards, including 33 yards on 14 carries from Lamar Miller.
Following that loss, the Texans rushed for 47, 62, 134, and 105 yards. The first two are pretty terrible and the second two look better. Though, Miller got hurt in the 47-yard game and missed the 62-yard game. However, the didn’t add much in the final two games as Deshaun Watson carried the team in the rushing game, gaining 142 yards in those two games.
Part of this ties back to a point mentioned previously, the Houston Texans offensive line is truly abysmal for the second season in a row. There are constantly defenders shooting up the field on both rushing and passing downs. The backfield occupants don’t have much time to do anything.
Also. Best undrafted players in franchise history. light
But, part of the blame has to go to the running backs as well. Miller has performed at a high level earlier in the season behind the exact same offensive line against varying levels of defenses, the same as what the Texans have seen the final five games of their season.
On top of that, the two backups are highly capable in their own right and have proved so in the past. Alfred Blue has had a couple very solid games this season but has not been able to get it going recently. D’Onta Foreman is still getting back up to speed from his Achilles injury but he hasn’t been able to do anything either.
The Texans offense is predicated on an effective running game. When the running game gets going, the passing game gets blown wide open and Watson, DeAndre Hopkins, and everyone else are able to do a lot more. Which, brings me to my next point…