LAS VEGAS – The Houston Texans defense has been rancid through six games this season, and that is putting it in PG-13 terms. If we get into the run defense, which we will, putrid will be added.
They were coming off the bye week that had positive vibes all around after Houston got their first victory of the season over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5. The Texans watched all that positivity go out the door with a 38-20 defeat to the Las Vegas Raiders.
The score would indicate that the game was a blowout, but Houston had a lead until late in the first half when the Raiders scored a touchdown with less than a minute left to tie the game at 10.
After that, the wheels fell off the wagon as the Texans’ defense allowed two more touchdowns, and a late pick-six by quarterback Davis Mills sealed the victory for the Raiders.
For most of the game, Houston’s offense kept the score close and even took the lead heading into the fourth quarter. But the defense could not prevent Las Vegas from getting into the end zone.
Including the late touchdown in the first half, the Texans gave up three scoring drives to the Raiders, which averaged nine plays and 77.7 yards.
“We have to do a better job of bringing all 11 bodies to the ball,” said Texans DE Jerry Hughes about the Texans run defense. #WeAreTexans #Sarge @TheTexansWire pic.twitter.com/M4yhDSe32s
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) October 24, 2022
“In the second half, I think normally you look at those situations — we didn’t tackle well, and we had a couple of fits that didn’t have guys in their proper spot,” said Texans head coach Lovie Smith. “That’s normally when it comes down to when you give up big plays like that.”
Over the first six games, it seems as if the Texans’ defense is playing with nine players on the field while their opponents have 11. Houston is giving up 411.8 yards per game to opposing offenses, ranking them 31st in the league, right above the Detroit Lions.
When it comes to stopping the run, it seems more like a suggestion than a responsibility, as opposing running backs are averaging 164.7 rushing yards per contest.
On Sunday, Raiders running back Josh Jacobs methodically and surgically carved up the Texans’ run defense for 143 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged an astronomical 7.2 yards per carry.
“He has good vision and knows how to find the holes,” said Texans defensive end Jerry Hughes about Jacobs. “We have to do a better job of bringing all 11 bodies to the ball. We have to understand that it takes a group effort to take down a special back like that. Whenever you are playing someone like that on Sunday, that is how it has to be, all 11 hats flying around putting bodies on them.”
The performance by Jacobs is the beginning of a tough month for the Texans’ run defense. Their next three opponents consist of running backs who could potentially end the season winning the NFL Rushing Title in Titans’ Derrick Henry (536 yards-5 TDs), Eagles’ Miles Sanders (485 yards -4 TDs), and Giants Saquon Barkley (726 yards-4 TD’s).
Head coach Lovie Smith will have some long nights in his other role as defensive coordinator, preparing for those backs who are crucial to their team’s success, as they have a combined record of 16-3.
