HOUSTON — The Houston Texans’ losing streak extended to seven following a 38-22 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday afternoon, at NRG Stadium in Houston. For the seventh consecutive game, it was the same story for the now 1-7 Texans.
Houston’s backfield did not provide any productivity to a dreadful offense that could not sustain drives. The secondary’s inabilities to cover the middle of the field was exploited by the opposing team’s quarterback, this time by MVP candidate Matthew Stafford who threw for 305 yards and three touchdowns in three quarters. And the continuous struggles of an undisciplined team that ensued in the Texans recording several penalties in a loss.
With nine games remaining in the 2021 campaign, the Texans are not throwing in the towel on an appalling season. But the same tedious issues that have plagued Houston through the first eight weeks are starting to become tiresome for a few.
“They [the Rams] had good execution, and we didn’t,” linebacker Christian Kirksey said during his media availability on Monday. “There is nothing more I can say that can make things change for us. It was just poor execution on our part.”
While searching for words to express how the Texans can improve on the defensive side of the ball, Kirksey says the team could start by paying attention to their fundamentals in hopes of better on-field execution.
One of the elements where Kirksey would like to see the defense improve is the number of big plays the Texans have given up throughout the eight game skid. Against the Rams, there were a dozen plays where the Texans gave up 15 or more yards to Los Angeles’ offense.
With a Week 9 meeting against the 1-7 Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, the Texans have one last chance to right the ship before entering their bye week — set for Week 10 of the NFL season. And according to Kirksey, players are “still in it despite the mounting frustration.
“We see where they are, and they have had some struggles of their own — but every team is dealing with something,” Kirksey said. “I look at each Sunday as an opportunity to get better. Anything can happen on a Sunday.”
“It’s the National Football League, you don’t have time to feel sorry for yourself. We are all competitors. Not only are we playing for the team, but we are also playing for our pride and resume. At the end of the day, we are just playing football, and this is our job.”