HOUSTON — The Houston Texans are currently riding a four-game losing streak following a 25-22 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday.
In many instances, the Texans are where many expected them to be a quarter into the 2021 campaign — a team with a losing record standing at 1-4 on the year. But as they prepare for their Week 6 showdown against the Indianapolis Colts — who possess the same win-loss record — the Texans are still in striking distance to regain their place atop the southern division.
It’s the belief that keeps safety Justin Reid motivated to help the Texans turn their season around for the better despite their inferior start.
“[We] just have to focus on the next game, it’s really the only thing we can do,” Reid said following the Texans’ three-point loss to the Patriots. “The only thing we can change is how we prepare for the future. We have a divisional opponent coming up, and as crazy as this four-game losing streak has been, we still got a shot at our division.”
With a combined record of 5-15, the AFC South has arguably been the worst division in the league thus far this season. And with the exception of the Texans, the remaining three teams have played well below their lofty expectations.
Injuries and a lack of chemistry have thwarted the Tennessee Titans into a 3-2 start, while the Jacksonville Jaguars remain winless five games into the Trevor Lawrence era.
“Nobody likes losing, but at the end of the day it’s part of the game, so we’re just going to keep working,” defensive end Jonathan Greenard said. “We’ve got conference play next week with Indy. It’s a must-win situation. This is when the real stuff is really starting out so can’t take no more of these losses like this.”
The Colts floundered a chance to take sole possession of second place after blowing a 16-point lead in a Week 5 loss to the Baltimore Ravens Monday night — which is comparable to the Texans.
One way the Texans can improve their chances of stealing a road victory at Lucas Oil Stadium is by exploiting the Colts’ weakened secondary, who has given up an average of 260.8 yards in passing to begin the season.
It’s an objective some could feel as daunting with Houston starting rookie quarterback Davis Mills, but the Stanford prodigy has surpassed modest expectations.
Excluding his production against the Buffalo Bills, Mills has thrown for 582 yards while completing 64 percent of his passes, to go along with five touchdowns and one interception since taking over for Tyrod Taylor in Cleveland.
A win on Sunday would not only give Houston its first victory since beating the Jaguars in their season opener but keep the Texans in the running to conquer the AFC South.