Like Rockets, Texans’ ‘alternative’ offense exposed against superior competition

The Houston Texans debuted an alternative offense against the Kansas City Chiefs. Like the Houston Rockets versus the LA Lakers, it had its problems.

The Houston Texans opened an early lead on Thursday night, carrying a 7-0 advantage over the reigning Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs into the second quarter.

Compliments regarding a seemingly rejuvenated David Johnson and schematics by new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver flooded the Twitterverse. Needless to say, for any fans who watched the whole game rather than glancing at the final box score of 34-20, nothing else went their way during the season opener. The Texans were outclassed.

Coach Bill O’Brien preached this offseason the team was introducing a spread out, faster, and diverse offense. This was headlined by new play-calling privileges for offensive coordinator Tim Kelly, the arrival of Brandin Cooks and David Johnson, and most importantly the departure of alpha receiver Deandre Hopkins. The team was widely criticized for ignoring the importance of a star wide out in an evolving passing league.  Regardless, the coaching staff maintained that their new scheme would not only force Watson to spread the ball but also create a less predictable, more dangerous offense,

Across town — well, “bubble,” the Houston Rockets were similarly outclassed on Thursday by LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, falling to a 3-1 deficit in their best of seven series. The Rockets have gathered headlines this year for bucking centuries of basketball wisdom and completely abandoning the seven-footer. By employing an exclusively “small” lineup, the team hoped to spread the basketball and shoot statistically-favored 3-pointers and open up lanes to the basket.  For all the success the Rockets found in the regular season and in short stretches, their gimmick was ultimately blown-up when faced with the class of the NBA in the Lakers.

Facing the class of the NFL, Houston once again saw their team’s “diverse” and “progressive” lineup absolutely obliterated. The Texans showed no signs of any downfield passing game, no aggression, and ultimately tip-toed towards a 360-yard total. New signing Randall Cobb accrued a total of 3 targets, all once the team trailed by three touchdowns. Brandin Cooks consistently struggled with rookie cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. Tytus Howard, after an impressive rookie showing, was thoroughly dominated. Any bright offensive moments came when the game was all but over. Garbage time.

Deshaun Watson, fresh off his four-year, $160 million contract extension, finished with 253 passing yards, one passing touchdown and one with his legs. The franchise quarterback looked frustrated all game with the Texans’ complete inability to build momentum.

Like the Rockets, the Texans will have to wary of what they’ve committed themselves to by ignoring conventional wisdom. Otherwise they too face the potential of being outclassed when faced with greatness. Trading Deandre Hopkins means other players, like Will Fuller, will have to step up and win matchups as Watson transitions to life without a default first option. Moving forward, this may mean the death of series that start with two runs. Hopkins isn’t there anymore to win third down situations. The team will need to challenge defenses vertically, involve newcomers like Cobb, and ultimately be more creative to compete in 2020.

This is not to say the season, or even the game, was entirely damning for the new scheme in Houston. Johnson played as well as he possible could have given the circumstances, taking 11 carries for 77 yards including a very impressive 19-yard touchdown.

Additionally, Fuller looked like the offense’s clear No. 1 target, consistently getting open on his way to eight receptions for 112 yards off 10 total targets. There are signs for potential improvement following a shortened off-season that had no preseason games. It would be unfair to abandon the vision following a poor performance on a rainy opening night.

Anthony Davis and James exposed that the Rockets could not win without fully committing to their gimmick. Unlike Harden, however, Watson has never been one to shy away from the biggest games and the best competition. The Texans’ new, “dynamic” offense could still win big with more practice and a further commitment to who they are.

However, they’ll have to if they want a chance against teams like Kansas City and Baltimore. There’s no room to mail in their plan in 2020. Otherwise Texans fans may see an airball this season.