The Houston Texans will face an uphill battle in Week 11 against a Washington Commanders team that is coming off a victory over the last remaining team in the NFL to be undefeated in 2022. Washington is likely to be a heavy favorite in the matchup, and given their crew of talent on the offensive side of the ball, could run up the score on Houston’s inconsistent defense.
Texans’ cornerbacks coach Dino Vasso spoke to reporters on Thursday about the challenge his unit will face against the Commanders, and made it clear that he has serious respect for Washington’s passing game. When asked about quarterback Taylor Heinicke’s connection with star wide-out Terry McLaurin, Vasso told the media that his chemistry plays a factor regardless of who he targets on a given play.
“This might be the best trio of receivers that we’ve played,” He explained. “17, Terry [McLaurin], elite speed, game changing speed. Can win at all three levels. Obviously, strong after the catch. Just a great player in this league. I know they say in the analytic community that wins isn’t a quarterback stat, but this guy [Taylor Heinicke] has won games at of late. He’s playing at a high level. The guys have rallied around him.
“Then you look at the other receivers, Curtis Samuel, kind of a position-less player, will line everywhere on the field, good run after catch, just good combination of elusiveness and power with the ball in his hands. And then the rookie, [Jahan] Dotson, he’s missed some time but he’s back now. Just a refined, polished route runner. When you cut on the tape, doesn’t really look like a rookie, so they’ve got a good group.”
Rookie cornerback Derek Stingley’s absence from Thursday’s practice will certainly play a factor in this game, a detail that Vasso conveniently left out in his statement. Against such a potent offensive attack, the Texans will need to step up in a big way to limit the Commanders to a minimal number of points so that Houston’s offense doesn’t need to play catchup against their equally formidable defense.