Houston Texans coach David Culley preaches consistency and has a penchant for fixating on pre-snap penalties.
Six of the Texans’ 11 penalties against the Cleveland Browns in Houston’s 31-21 loss were either pre-snap infractions or dead ball fouls.
As if that didn’t underscore the Texans’ problems with detail, the first punt return of the game definitely highlighted the issue. Receiver Andre Roberts muffed the punt and allowed the Browns’ drive to continue. The Browns made Houston pay the price with a touchdown to take an early 7-0 lead.
Houston also had a questionable decision from the coaching staff early in the second quarter. The Texans faced a fourth-and-2 from the Cleveland 49-yard line. Instead of going for it, the Texans sent punter Cam Johnston in for a punt. The risk in punting was they would get a touchback, which they did. The reward was they could back up the Browns inside their own 10.
The risk for Houston if they went for it was they would give the Browns the ball back at midfield. The reward would be the drive would continue and put points on the board for Houston. The Texans passed it up.
Of course, the ensuing Browns drive ended with safety Justin Reid picking off quarterback Baker Mayfield, which was a great way for Houston to keep fighting.
And “fight” is what the Texans embody under Culley. When rookie quarterback Davis Mills spelled an injured Tyrod Taylor coming out of the halftime locker room, the Texans didn’t fold. The game was 14-14, and it did get away from them, but it was mostly due to injuries to frontline starters. The Texans didn’t pack it in, which does speak to the culture on the roster instilled by Culley that want to continue to chase victory despite the odds.
Culley will have the biggest challenge of his budding career this week as he has to get the Texans ready for the 2-0 Carolina Panthers on a short week with a rookie starting under center.