The Houston Texans finished the home slate of their schedule with a loss falling to the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-3. Here are 11 observations from the game.
1. It is the first time in franchise history the Texans have failed to win a home game. The Texans didn’t lose all eight, but they lost seven straight after opening the season with a tie against the Colts
2. This is the largest losing margin this season for the Texans. The last time Houston lost by this much was last season against the Colts. It came on the heels of three of the best weeks of play from Lovie Smith’s team.
3. The defense was horrid again, reverting to their early season form. The tackling was poor and the rush defense against the Jacksonville starters left a lot to be desired.
4. Jalen Pitre and Desmond King each had interceptions, but each had a hand in part of a horrible display of tackling on a 62-yard touchdown scamper from Travis Etienne. King just pushed him while Pitre failed to finish the play. There were plenty of poor tackling displays but this one stood out.
5. Jalen Pitre will end up as a bright spot. He will have played a ton and has solidified himself as something positive heading into next season. There were plenty of ups from his season to offset the downs.
6. This is one of the worst offenses in franchise history. The talent is lacking at skill positions, but the plays called for the players are bad too. The team ran a fade to Rex Burkhead on fourth down. Next year, it will be an offense that needs some reshaping with a different offensive mind.
7. The Texans should thank their lucky stars the Jaguars drafted Travon Walker. He’s been terrible compared to a number of other players selected in the first round. Walker amassed just one QB hit in the game. That’s all. Meanwhile, the number two overall pick Aidan Hutchinson has as many interceptions as Sauce Gardner and Derek Stingley combined to go along with his seven-and-a-half sacks.
8. The loss secures a top-two selection for the Texans.
9. The Chicago Bears are the only team who can earn the top pick other than the Texans. A win by the Bears secures the top choice for the Texans. A loss next week in Indianapolis secures the top pick for the Texans. A win by the Texans and a loss by the Bears lands Chicago the top spot.
10. Lovie Smith said if he was a betting man he would bet the Texans show up against the Colts next week. The Colts are spiraling out of control, having been demolished by the New York Giants on Sunday.
11. Lovie Smith’s job is in jeopardy and if I was making a call as you read this, I would believe he is fired and the Texans have their third head coach search under general manager Nick Caserio.
