As the 2022 season has played out, the Houston Texans have had an exceptionally hard time finding consistency on offense, especially late in games where it seems that they lose any momentum they build in the first half. While this is to be expected for a young team going up against top-level talent on a weekly basis, offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton is intent on figuring out how to get his unit to play well in all four quarters.
In comments to the media on Thursday, Hamilton told reporters that he knows how the process of feeling out opponents works, and that he wants to find ways to ensure that his stars are staying involved in the offense even when the defense is keyed in on them. Adjustments, he explained, would be critical to the team’s success in late-game situations.
“I think just from our standpoint as a coaching staff, we have to understand that over the course of the game there is going to be adjustments made,” Hamilton said. “There’s going to come a time in the game where you have to give your elite playmakers a chance to go out there and make plays in those critical situations, and that’s the nature of the National Football League. You watch games from week-to-week and there’s a lot of different ways to win games, but it all starts with the playmakers. So, we’ve got to give those guys a chance to go out there and make plays for four quarters.”
Houston was without their top receiver Brandin Cooks against the Philadelphia Eagles last week but is expected to have the veteran wideout back for their matchup against the New York Giants on Sunday. His inclusion in the offensive gameplan could prove to make all the difference for the unit against the rising Giants, and if Hamilton’s comments are any indication, Cooks should be expected to be in a featured role as the Texans look to secure their second win of the season.