In their own words: 4 keys for the Texans to beat the Broncos

On Sunday, the Houston Texans will host the Denver Broncos. Here are their keys to victory, according to Deshaun Watson, Bill O’Brien and Co.

Carlos Hyde: Get back to the basics and run hard

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Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Though the NFL’s seventh-ranked rush offense (129.8 yards per game), the Texans haven’t produced on the ground as of late. Since Week 11, they’ve since a nearly 39-yard regression in their rush yards per game average.

Last week, in a 28-22 win over the Patriots, the Texans amassed just 52 yards on 38 combined attempts — between Carlos Hyde, Duke Johnson and Deshaun Watson.

That’s not going to cut it.

On Sunday, the Texans must get back to creating on the ground against the NFL’s 20th-ranked run defense, the Broncos (113.7 allowed rush yards per game). Hyde, Houston’s lead-back, explained how they will do so.

“Just getting back to our basics,” said Hyde on Thursday. “Last week, we kind of away from it. So, just getting back to the basics. Just getting back to doing what we do best, that’s just getting downhill and getting behind our pads and running hard.”