3 headlines, 2 questions, 1 bet
Texans face tough test in Denver against struggling Broncos
Oct 29, 2018, 11:13 am
The Texans are riding the third-longest winning streak in the NFL as they head to Denver this weekend to take on the Broncos.
The Denver Broncos are losers of five of their last six games. They can see their chances of competing in the AFC slipping away. They are considering trading key players on their team before tomorrow's deadline. Ownership is in a legal battle off the field for control of the team. John Elway is under fire for his inability to draft a quarterback.
The Denver Broncos should scare the hell out of the Houston Texans.
It may seem like a team in shambles and may resemble one if the rumored trades start happening, but make no mistake the Broncos are a much tougher matchup than they seem. Just go ask the two best offenses in football.
The Rams and the Chiefs, Kansas City twice, put out their lowest scoring outputs of the season. Now, Denver lost all those games, but to hold those teams to so few points compared to their other output is eye-catching. There's still plenty of talent on the defense and their offense, led by undrafted free agent Philip Lindsay, can score enough if the defense is stout.
The Texans take the No. 3 offense in football into this game. But, it's an injured offense. About those injuries...
Will Fuller's replacement doesn't exist on the Texans. There is not one person who can replicate the skills and success he had on the field. The two guys who will try are Sammie Coates and Vyncint Smith. Each of them impressed enough in camp to earn Braxton Miller a ticket out of town. They have since caught two passes.
Neither has had much playing time this year. Coates was hurt to start the year but has contributed on special teams. Smith played a little early but hasn't earned time on the field since. I'm a little surprised Coates hasn't found his way onto the field more this year considering his success in August.
Expect the Texans to send more passes the tight ends and the hopefully healthy Keke Coutee's way. Coates and Smith will have to be on the field at some point it will be interesting to see who wins out in practice ahead of Sunday's game.
The defense has its fair share of dings. The cornerback position will be interesting going forward. Johnathan Joseph is likely to miss Denver if his reported leg injury is true. Kevin Johnson isn't ready to return from the injured reserve and Aaron Colvin is still hurting. There's a chance Shareece Wright is back for Denver though.
If Wright makes it back, and Joseph shortly after that for the Washington game and with Colvin on the horizon the Texans may try to piece the position together. The safeties have been incredible for the Texans this year. With Justin Reid's emergence, Kareem Jackson can moonlight at his former position for a few more snaps while the secondary gets right. This may call for a practice squad addition. Andre Chachere is the lone cornerback there currently.
Dazzling and efficient would be a good start when describing what Watson accomplished against the Dolphins on Thursday Night Football. The run game getting going made for a much easier night for the Texans quarterback. He played with the most poise we have seen recently. If this level of play, not the stats but the level, is here to stay the Texans are going to rip teams to shreds. Watson learns quick. Now is his task is to learn how to replicate that under-control and smooth success against a tough opponent on the road.
There are certain holes on this team, permanent and short-term, that a trade could help. Pass catchers are available in all shapes and sizes. DeVante Parker of the Dolphins, Demaryius Thomas of the Broncos, and Pierre Garçon of the 49ers to name a few. With Will Fuller's ACL injury being a year-long endeavor, and maybe more, it would make sense to chase a wideout over say a cornerback. The problem is the Texans have holes that need filling in the long run that isn't wideout and chasing any of the above would cost draft picks. It isn't out of the question but I find it hard to believe the Texans can make a significant trade for a name that would excite.
I bet the Texans don't make a trade for a big name but add something. There are just too many questions right now about the depth on this team for them to not make a move. The free agent market is picked over so it makes sense to find someone for a later pick that can help you. I don't believe the first or second round picks would be in play but for the right move, a third-round selection could be useful.
The NFL playoffs are finally here, and the Texans will kick off the postseason by hosting the LA Chargers this Saturday at NRG.
And while the Texans are only 3 point underdogs, the national media is making it seem like Houston has no chance against Justin Herbert and company.
ESPN's Rex Ryan has gone as far as calling the Texans a "bye" week for the Chargers, giving the team no chance to win despite playing at home.
However, the Texans are no stranger to this situation, as they were given little chance to win against the Browns in last year's Wild Card game. And we know how that ended, with the Texans thrashing the Browns 45-14.
It's certainly fair to predict the Chargers will come away with a win this Saturday, they have been playing much better football than Houston in recent weeks.
But it's important to remember that home underdogs have performed well in the Wild Card round. In fact, home underdogs are 16-14 all-time in the Wild Card playoffs, and both home underdogs won last year (Texans, Buccaneers).
Speaking of last year, many credit the Texans defense for securing the win over Cleveland, with two pick sixes in the second half helping to seal the deal.
But the real reason Houston won the game was because of CJ Stroud and the offense. Stroud threw 3 touchdowns before halftime and the team was leading 24-14 with six minutes left in the third quarter. That's when the defense tacked on two interceptions for touchdowns and put the game out of reach. Stroud and the offense also went on to score another TD on a Devin Singletary run.
If Stroud and the offense didn't put so much pressure on Joe Flacco and the Cleveland offense to score, he may not have forced those passes that were picked off.
Now, many will point to the Chargers having the best defense (points allowed) this season, but it's worth noting the Browns had the number one defense (yards allowed) last year as well.
Bulls on Parade
Houston's defense will have its hands full against a strong rushing attack led by JK Dobbins. And Justin Herbert has been terrific this season, spreading the ball around to his top two targets, Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston.
Fortunately for the Texans, they are extremely healthy on defense this week. While Jimmy Ward and Jalen Pitre are out for the year, we'll finally get to see linebackers Azeez Al-Shaair and Christian Harris play together for the first time this season.
The defensive line is expected to be at full strength as well, keep in mind Jonathan Greenard was injured and unable to play against the Browns last year.
Outlook on offense
We should see the best possible version of the offensive line this Saturday. We're all aware how many hits Stroud has taken due to poor o-line play. But with Tytus Howard and left guard and Juice Scruggs at right guard, Stroud should have more time to get the passing game going, featuring Nico Collins.
Speaking of the receivers, it's pretty amazing that this receiver group is almost identical to last year's in the Wild Card round. Stroud didn't have Stefon Diggs (on the Bills) or Tank Dell (injured) to throw to last year, either. But he does have one big addition in Joe Mixon this year. Hopefully, they can get Mixon involved in the passing game, and the shuffling of the o-line provides Mixon with some holes to run through.
X-factor
At least there's a possibility newly acquired receiver Diontae Johnson could provide a spark to the offense. Last year John Metchie and Robert Woods were the main targets besides Collins and Dalton Schultz.
What does Vegas think?
The Chargers are favored by 3 and the total is set at 42.5 points
Don't miss the video above as the crew from Texans on Tap previews this week's big game!