Texans embarassed and eliminated at home by division rival

The good, bad and ugly of the Texans playoff loss to the Colts

Jermaine Every
Jan 5, 2019, 6:54 pm
Keke Coutee had the Texans only score. Bob Levey/Getty Images

The Colts dismantled the Texans 21-7 in one of the AFC Wildcard games. The score wasn't indicative of how bad it really was. Here's how I saw it:

The Good

-Keke Coutee was back playing and looked healthy as he was Deshaun Watson's favorite target. Coutee finished with 11 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown.

-J.J. Watt swatted a pass at the line of scrimmage when the Colts were in the red zone. However, Brandon Dunn made a pretty athletic interception for a man north of 300 pounds.

-They went 11-5 and won the AFC South (Bill O'Brien voice).

The Bad

-Vyncint Smith lost track of a deep ball in the first quarter. It would've been about a 40-50 plus yard completion. He couldn't track the ball, turned his body a couple times, ultimately dropping the ball. It was the second shot play Watson couldn't connect with a receiver as he also underthrew DeAndre Hopkins on another.

-Watson led the team in rushing for the fifth game in a row. His 76 yards rushing accounted for 72.3 percent of the team's rushing total. If this doesn't spell the need for new life on the offensive line and running back, I don't know what else will.

-Texans defense allowed a 100 yard rusher for the first time all season. Marlon Mack ended the game with 148 yards on 24 carries and a touchdown. They gave up a total of 200 yards rushing to the Colts.

The Ugly

-The pace at which this team plays, especially when behind, PISSES ME OFF! The play clock allows for 40 seconds to get a play called and the ball snapped. Too often it takes the Texans 25-30 seconds, or more, to get that done. It took six minutes and 13 seconds while down 21 to get their first touchdown!

-Jadeveon Clowney left the game with a concussion in the second quarter, but was able to come back in the game. However, rookie safety Justin Reid left the game with a rib injury and didn't return. He lowered the shoulder to separate Eric Ebron from a touchdown catch and wound up hurt.

-This team looked ill-equipped to handle what the Colts were throwing at them. The offense couldn't get into a rhythm, and the defense was taken apart way too easily. Deer staring in headlights are able to make better adjustments than the Texans did against the Colts.

I put this loss squarely on the shoulders of the coaching staff. Neither side of the ball looked ready, nor did they make any necessary adjustments. They were thoroughly out-coached. This loss is a sign that better coaching is needed, on both sides of the ball. I recommended Adam Gase as a potential offensive coordinator, but he may be up for a head coaching gig. Romeo Crennell needs some youthful infusion into his play calling as well. This team needs more talent, as well as better depth. The offseason is now here. Time to look at potential free agents and draftees that can help this team. While this loss hurts, I pray it serves as a wake-up call for the organization and moving forward they can put together a better staff, along with a better team.
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Here are the Texans' biggest challenges, opportunities against Steelers

The Texans host the Steelers at NRG this Sunday. Composite Getty Image.

What: Texans vs. Steelers

When: 10/1 12pm CST kickoff

Where: Houston, TX NRG Stadium

TV/Radio: KHOU-TV, KILT-Radio

Betting Lines: Steelers -2.5 (-120), O/U 42 (-110) *As of this writing

The Watt Brother Bowl takes place on Sunday. I'm calling it that because the Texans are honoring their all-time great J.J. while they're playing his younger brother and current hell raising edge rusher for the Steelers T.J. The Steelers have won four of the last five matchups vs. the Texans by an average score of 28-17. The biggest difference is that the Steelers have a second year starter at quarterback in Kenny Pickett, and the Texans have a rookie in C.J. Stroud. When you look at the two quarterbacks, both organizations have full faith in each guy. Both teams have tried to build a defense to help their young signal callers. Both are still trying to surround their franchise guys with weapons.

When the Steelers have the ball: Here's a game where Will Anderson Jr can make headway as a proven EDGE. Stacking consistent performances together and helping your team win games by making winning plays. It helps that Pickett has tiny hands. This was a knock on him during draft season last year. Hand size for a quarterback impacts grip. That can not only impact accuracy, but it could make it easier to strip the ball from him.

While he doesn't have the weapons to torch this defense, Pickett does hand the ball off to Najee Harris who's more than capable. Averaging only 67 yards rushing as a team can't be taken lightly. Denzel Perryman is expected to miss the game Sunday, so hopefully that won't help jumpstart the Steelers' run game. The Texans defense will have to key in on the run, given that they average giving up 117 a game on the ground. Those aforementioned weapons may not be scary, but the injuries to the defensive backs has hurt. Tavierre Thomas is expected to miss the game recovering from hand surgery. Jimmie Ward coming back last week showed what happens when they have a top safety back there, especially when the pass rush is turning up. Hopefully, the Texans can capitalize again this week, with safety Jalen Pitre expected to return to action.

When the Texans have the ball: Good luck stopping Tank Dell and Stroud! These guys have already established themselves as a formidable duo three games into their careers. A great way to get that connection going is to pound the rock. The Steelers are giving up over 150 yards on the ground per game so far this season. That's also a good way to keep T.J. at bay while J.J. watches. With Laremy Tunsil and Josh Jones both expected to miss the game, here are the offensive line starters: Austin Deculus, Kendrick Green, Jarrett Patterson, Shaq Mason, and George Fant.

Making the younger Watt brother slow down a bit instead of going balls to the wall after Stroud because a run could be coming will help the pass game tremendously. Stroud will have to continue to make quick decisions, but even quicker this game. I wouldn't be surprised to see his first pick of his career here, given the pressure he's most likely to be under. Especially when your offensive line starters were mostly all backups to begin this season.

Outcome: I failed to place a money line bet on the Texans last week because the game started and the live bet wasn't as profitable. I wanted to take a chance on them given their recent record against the Jags. Looking at their last five vs. the Steelers, one would say why make that bet this week? It's because I believe in Stroud more than I believe in Pickett. While T.J. Watt is a different kind of monster, Will Anderson Jr is on his way to becoming something special. Texans win/cover, and hit the over, but barely: Texans 24, Steelers 20.

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