Sunday’s tilt with the 4-8 Denver Broncos is less intimidating for the 8-4 Houston Texans than their Week 13 matchup with the then-10-1 New England Patriots. However, it’s still a must-win game with the AFC South division not yet clinched.
The Texans currently check-in as a playoff team. To continue that high-status, besting the Broncos would need to happen. Here is they can do so, from the players and coaches.
Bill O’Brien: Stay disciplined against the run
The Texans saw the Broncos in 2018. In Denver, Houston defeated them 19-17, in large part due to their ability to stop the run.
The Texans limited the Broncos to 75 yards and a touchdown on 20 rush attempts. Running back Phillip Lindsay, who would go onto a Pro-Bowl appearance, recorded 60 yards on 17 attempts, good for 3.5 yards per rush.
How will the Texans repeat their rush defense performance? Coach Bill O’Brien explains.
“I think any time you talk about the running game, it’s always about discipline. It starts with discipline, it starts with being able to set the edge of the defense,” said O’Brien on Wednesday. “It starts with good fundamentals upfront, low pads, good footwork, good hand placement, gap control, good gap control, being able to recognize what the scheme is when the ball’s snapped. Hopefully we can do that. They do lot of different things in the running game. Mike Munchak, as you know, is their line coach, does a great job. It’s going to be a challenging day relative to the run because they do a good job of running the football.”
Offensive line coach and Houston Oilers great Mike Munchak has molded the Broncos’ power-rush attack, which ranks 16th in the NFL with 108.3 rush yards per game.