A WEEKLY REVIEW OF CRENNEL'S COACHING

Now my job: Texans feast on Lions

Now my job: Texans feast on Lions
Photo by Getty Images.

Now my job: Texans feast on Lions

Thanksgiving is full of tradition. There's the typical family gathering, large meal, and of course, football. Sometimes, new traditions are added and old ones are retired. I think the Texans did both in their impressive 41-25 win over the Lions in Detroit. Old traditions were carried on (Lions losing on Thanksgiving), some were put to rest (Texans not being able to get turnovers), and new ones were started (multiple passing touchdowns by Deshaun Watson in six straight games).

The fact that this defense got three turnovers in the game was unbelievable! They got all three in the first quarter within the span of eight plays. JJ Watt's pick-six was insane. He went for a batted ball, ended up catching it, and ran it in. They forced Jonathan Williams to fumble on the Lions' very next play from scrimmage and recovered it. On the Lions' next possession, the Texans recovered yet another fumble after the challenge was reversed. Great call by the coaching staff to challenge and win. The defense looked good. Tyrell Adams stood out because he was in on those two fumbles, made 17 total tackles with 14 of them being solo tackles. They also brought pressure that seemed to make Matthew Stafford very inaccurate and resulted in four sacks. I give defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver credit for knowing he needs to blitz to get pressure, but the run defense has to improve.

The offense kept the tempo up in this game as well. The spread and hurry-up were used to keep the Lions already staggered defense off balance. Knowing the Lions were without a couple defensive backs, I thought it would be the perfect marriage of their defense and the Texans' offense. A buddy asked before the game about the line (Texans -3.5) and the over/under (52.5). I told him bet the Texans and the over because neither team can play defense and both have good quarterbacks. Offensive coordinator Tim Kelly put together another good game plan and Watson executed it flawlessly. One route combo I saw later on in the game I particularly enjoyed. Two receivers were tight to the left side. Cooks ran a hook/curl and settled in the middle of the zone while Fuller ran a vertical route. Duke Johnson ran a swing route to that same side. It left Cooks wide open as the attention went to Johnson in the flat, Fuller deep, and the action to the other play side. Route combos are important because it gives the quarterback different reads as he goes through his progressions and lets him pick apart the defense based on what he sees. Combine that with Watson's play and the way Kelly has changed his play calling now that he's liberated from he who shall not be named, we're seeing a beautiful thing.

As good as things were, there's still room for improvement. The defense gives up way too many easy yards, both run and pass. They can't get pressure bringing only four and will often give up big plays if the blitz is picked up. Plus the run defense is still an issue as evidenced by the Lions' first possession of the second half. The Lions ran the ball 10 plays straight for a total of 58 yards on that drive. Utterly ridiculous! Watson was good (17/25 318 yards and four touchdowns), but he missed two more touchdowns with passes slightly off, and continues to hold onto the ball too long at times. The difference between these two issues I've presented here is the fact that Watson has so played well, his "issues" are minor and very correctable, while the defense is terrible and there's no easy fix in sight. But let Romeo Crennel and Anthony Weaver tell it, they're getting the most out of these guys and they're playing disciplined.

The thought that this team may actually creep into the playoff picture may take shape better after next week if they can beat the Colts. I doubt it, but it is getting interesting. Let's see what else happens around them because they need help getting there.

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Maliek Collins is heading to San Francisco. Composite image by Brandon Strange.

With free agency in full swing, the Texans caught a lot of people off guard when they opted to trade for Bengals running back Joe Mixon instead of addressing the need in free agency on Tuesday.

Well, it only took one more day for the Texans to be active on the trade market once again. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Texans are trading defensive tackle Maliek Collins to the 49ers for a 7th round pick.

Houston signed Titans defensive lineman Denico Autrey earlier this week, so perhaps DeMeco Ryans will have him fill the role left with Collins' departure.

Or, the Texans are reportedly interested in signing 49ers defensive tackle Arik Armstead who is expected to be released by the 49ers.

Another option could be the return of Sheldon Rankins who played well for the Texans in 2023. Either way, it appears there's another move coming, but we can only speculate at this point.

How much cap space will they save?

Not all that much in 2024 according to Texans Cap. He believes this trade should save the Texans a little over 2.5 million this season.

It's unfortunate that Collins was traded with the Texans looking like a playoff team on the rise. But if you have to get traded, heading to a perennial Super Bowl contender should soften the blow.

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