TEXANS GET A MUCH-NEEDED WIN
8 important takeaways from Lovie Smith's Week 5 Houston Texans presser
Oct 10, 2022, 3:27 pm
Lovie Smith recaps Week 5 | Houston Texans Press Conference
The Houston Texans recorded their first win of the season on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, winning 13-6. Here are some thoughts on head coach Lovie Smith's Monday press conference with the media.
1. The Texans are undefeated in the AFC South. Lovie made this point during presser, and while it is factually correct, let's pump the brakes and just enjoy the win. The Texans only managed one touchdown against the Jags and sit at 1-3-1 on the season.
2. Davis Mills is still a problem. Out of five games this season, twice now, Davis Mills has thrown for under 178 yards and recorded zero touchdowns. Mills missed several throws on Sunday, and was lucky to have running back Dameon Pierce save the day. Coach Smith said he likes the way Mills is trending. To be fair, bad QB play wasn't just a Houston thing. Trevor Lawrence looked awful on Sunday.
3. Speaking of Dameon Pierce. Lovie told the media that the team loved him from the start, and they like the way he is trending. Pierce made the play of the game, breaking 8 tackles on a twenty-yard run and was able to finish off the drive with a 1-yard TD run two plays later. Pierce rushed for 99 yards on 26 carries with 3 catches for 14 yards. Pierce's game-breaking run was called a "coach's dream" by Lovie Smith.
4. The Texans have an identity. Houston's win over the Jags is an example of how they want to play/win as a team. The Texans want to establish themselves as a running team, and running the football is how they got their first win of the season.
5. Nico Collins needs to be more involved in the offense. Collins made a big catch on 3rd and 2 with a little over 8 minutes left in the game. This drive eventually led to Pierce's legendary run down to the 1-yard line. Collins finished with 65 yards on 4 catches against Jacksonville. Lovie told the media on Monday that Collins needs to get more opportunities, and that might come at the expense of other players. Personally, I hope that means less targets to Rex Burkhead, that typically result in the Texans picking up two yards on third down, and then having to punt.
6. Derek Stingley Jr. got his first interception. Lovie mentioned Stingley's ability to play man coverage and zone, and that more interceptions occur in zone when defenders have their eyes on the QB. Coach Smith also praised the play of corners Steven Nelson and Desmond King.
7. The team was happy with the offensive tackles on Sunday. Lovie made the point that the Jaguars have some pass rushers that went very early in the draft, and he thought his tackles did a nice job blocking them. Dameon Pierce also gave the football to Laremy Tunsil to spike in the end zone after scoring in the fourth quarter. Clearly, Tunsil appreciated that. Check out this retweet about Dameon Pierce.
Bro 🤯 https://t.co/J1ABSWBenS
— Laremy Tunsil (@KingTunsil78) October 10, 2022
8. Garrett Wallow showed some flashes at linebacker. Coach Smith said Wallow played excellent on Sunday and that he's been good when he plays. Avoiding injury will be key for him. Also, look for the team to keep trying things at linebacker. Smith said they would like to see some improvement at the position. Christian Harris is also a player to watch as the Texans look for answers at linebacker. He might be ready to make his debut in the Texans next game against the Raiders on Oct 23.
Be sure to check out the video above to hear Lovie's complete thoughts on the big win.
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C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are looking for answers after their passing game couldn’t get going in a loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Houston’s passing attack had been a strength all season, and the Texans ranked fifth in yards passing per game through their first six games. But on Sunday at Lambeau Field, Stroud was limited to a career-low 86 yards in the 24-22 loss, which snapped a three-game winning streak.
Stroud was 10 of 21 and didn’t have a touchdown pass for the first time this season. The second-year player was under duress for much of the day and was sacked four times and hit seven other times.
“We have to go back to the drawing board and see what those issues were,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “As we watch the film, we’ll see what happened, starting for me the communication and just guys being on the details of the job.”
'Everything is on the table. We have to get it fixed' #Texans coach DeMeco Ryans on offensive line and if personnel changes are being contemplated @KPRC2Â pic.twitter.com/AwK0rqeU2z
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 21, 2024
The Texans scored a season-high 41 points in a win over New England a week earlier in which Stroud threw a season-best three touchdown passes despite being without star receiver Nico Collins.
They were unable to replicate that success Sunday with Collins out for the second of at least four games after a hamstring injury landed him on injured reserve.
Stefon Diggs led the team with five receptions against the Packers, but they only amounted to 23 yards. Tank Dell, who the Texans expected to step up with Collins out, was targeted four times but didn’t have a catch.
Stroud discussed the importance of getting Dell more involved in the offense.
“We have to find a way to try and get him the rock early and often and then go from there,” he said. “It has to be a focus for us, not only just him, but the whole offense clicking early. That is really my job to get the ball out on time and to where it is supposed to go. So yeah, that definitely has to be fixed.”
Ryans spoke about his confidence is getting Dell going.
'I have all the faith in Tank' #Texans coach DeMeco Ryans expressed confidence in Tank Dell ability to get back to making explosive plays again as he did as a rookie @KPRC2Â pic.twitter.com/bojBEx3lYo
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 21, 2024
What's working
The Texans have forced seven turnovers combined in their last two games after they hadn’t caused any in their previous three games.
Houston scored 16 points off three turnovers Sunday. The Texans had two interceptions and recovered a fumble on a punt. In their win over the Patriots, they scored 17 points off a season-high four turnovers.
What needs help
The Texans won’t get to where they want to be this season if Stroud doesn’t get back on track. Before Sunday, last year’s AP Offensive Rookie of the Year was averaging more than 262 yards passing a game, giving the team confidence that the problems in the passing game are fixable.
Ryans knows the line must give Stroud more time to throw and said the coaching staff will focus on improving in that area this week.
Stock up
RB Joe Mixon continued to shine Sunday in his second game back after missing three games with an ankle injury. Mixon, who is in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati, had 25 carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns against Green Bay.
Mixon is confident the Texans will rebound this week if they quit making mistakes.
“Does it look I’m worried? I’m not worried at all,” he said. “Like I said, we got a ... good football team. At the end of the day, we are our own worst enemy.”
Stock down
Dell was unable to help Stroud get the passing game going. The second-year player had a solid rookie season with 709 yards receiving and seven touchdowns in 11 games before breaking his leg. But he hasn’t been able to build on that success this year and has just 194 yards receiving with one score in six games.
Injuries
LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), LB Henry To’oTo’o (concussion), CB Kamari Lassiter (shoulder) and S Jimmie Ward (groin) all missed Sunday’s game and it’s unclear if any of these starters can return this week.
Key number
3 — Safety Calen Bullock had his third interception Sunday to tie Dunta Robinson and Jumal Rolle for most interceptions by a rookie in franchise history through the first seven games. He leads NFL rookies in interceptions this season and is tied for third-most among all players.
Next steps
The AFC South-leading Texans (5-2) return to division play Sunday when they host the second-place Colts (4-3), who have won two in a row and four of five.