Tag: Texans offense

Texans’ Deshaun Watson, Buccaneers’ Jameis Winston have mutual respect

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston have mutual respect for each other.

Deshaun Watson was the starting quarterback at Clemson on Sept. 20, 2014, versus Florida State. Jameis Winston was serving a suspension.

They never met in the ACC, but the two first-round picks, who have immense respect for each other, will get a chance to meet in the NFL Saturday when the Houston Texans face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.

“Regardless of who’s out there on the field, he’s going to go out there and ball. He’s going to play and he’s going to play hard,” Watson said of Winston Tuesday. “He’s going to take his chances. He’s going to make mistakes, but he’s going to turn those mistakes into positive plays on the next drive.”

Winston leads the NFL in passing yards (4,573) and is second in passing touchdowns (30). He’s also the most intercepted (24 picks) and third-most sacked (43) passer. Despite his mistakes and often negative plays, Watson sees the 25-year-old as one of the NFL’s great shot-callers.

“He’s a guy that’s going to lead and he’s going to be a lot of — he has a lot of confidence whenever he steps on the field that he’s going to make the play and he’s always going to make the play,” Watson said. “He’s definitely a great quarterback in my eyes.”

Meanwhile, Winston thinks Watson is going to delight spectators for a long-time.

“I’ve met him twice — really respect his game,” Winston told Buccaneers media on Tuesday. “I think he’s a phenomenal player. He has his own way. Plays with tremendous swag, can throw any pass on the field, and he’s a great leader. We’re going to all enjoy watching him for a very long time.”

Watson has 3,668 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions passing on the season. A dual-threat, he also has seven rushing touchdowns and 376 ground yards. On Tuesday, the NFL named him a Pro Bowler for the second time in his three year NFL career.

No matter the outcome on Saturday, respect will be in the air among the two young quarterbacks.

Bucs QB Jameis Winston can watch Texans QB Deshaun Watson break one of his records

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson can break one of Jameis Winston’s passing records against his Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday.

On Dec. 21, the Houston Texans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will kick off the NFL’s 2019 slate of Saturday games.

Though the two don’t share many commonalities and one is a playoff team (Texans) while the other isn’t (Buccaneers) it’s an intriguing matchup between two of the NFL’s most exciting quarterbacks, Deshaun Watson and Jameis Winston.

The match is an opportunity for the Texans to clinch the AFC South. It’s also one for Watson to break one of Winston’s records.

If Watson were to pass for 244 yards, he would pass Winston’s record of the sixth-most passing yards (9,775) through a player’s first 38 career NFL games.

Watson averages 257.6 yards per game and a career-high 262 per in 2019.

While not a statistic that will draw viewers in, it’s an interesting touch to a game that features little storylines between the two teams. Perhaps Watson breaking one of Winston’s record could warrant a jersey swap postgame between the two young quarterbacks.

Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins works hard to play in the Super Bowl, not Pro Bowl

Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is a four-time Pro Bowler. While impressive, that’s not why he plays the game at a high-level.

All-star games are a counting man’s game. While an honorable award and certainly one worth celebrating, most NFL players don’t play the grueling game to go to the Pro Bowl.

For seasoned vets that have seen and gone to the spectacle, a bid to be a Pro Bowler is simply a resumé booster for an application into the Hall of Fame. At least, it is for Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

Hopkins said on Thursday, “to be considered at the top, it’s an honor.” But, he also said that it’s not what he practices for. The goal is not to play in it, as that would hint at being in the Super Bowl.

“That’s the reason that we come out to practice every day, for that reason, not to play in the Pro Bowl,” Hopkins said.

Hopkins has his eyes set on the Super Bowl, as all Texans players and members of other playoff-eligible do. Through his first six seasons in the NFL, he didn’t get close to sniffing it, as Houston has never gone as far as the AFC Championship.

At 9-5, Hopkins’ Texans are the AFC’s fourth seed. They can lock-up their spot in the playoffs, and a subsequent first-round home game, if they beat the 7-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, who have won four straight.

“Those guys have some injuries, they still got a good team over there,” said Hopkins. “So we got to come out and focus and take it play by play.”

On the season, Hopkins has 99 receptions for 1,142 yards and seven touchdowns. Not only is he going to his third-straight Pro Bowl, but his season also makes him a candidate to make the All-Pro first team for the third-straight season.

Don’t tell Hopkins that, however, because he couldn’t care less about those individual accolades.

WATCH: Carlos Hyde bounces outside to get late Texans lead over Titans

Watch Houston Texans running back Carlos Hyde bounce a run outside to gain a late lead over the Tennessee Titans.

Tied 14-14, the Houston Texans needed points on the board to keep the Tennessee Titans at bay. Luckily, they got them.

After a 12-yard Deshaun Watson scamper, aided by a defensive holding, Houston went run on first-and-10. Running back Carlos Hyde attacked the middle of the lane, bounced outside and found pay dirt. Watch below.

Hyde’s 10-yard run capped off a seven-play, 75-yard drive spanning 3:01 minute. It was a response to an A.J. Brown touchdown reception that tied the game up.

Quietly, Hyde has had an impressive game against the Titans. After the 10-yard touchdown run, he had 18 carries for 82 yards and a score on the day, with much of the final quarter remaining.

With the touchdown, Hyde now has 1,000 yards on the season. Surprisingly, it’s the first time he has done so in his six years in the NFL. It’s fair to say that the trade to acquire him on Aug. 31 has paid off.

Texans’ Deshaun Watson: Back to the drawing board after Broncos loss

The Houston Texans lost a game to the Denver Broncos that they shouldn’t have lost. What does Deshaun Watson have to say about it?

The Houston Texans folded on Sunday. In what was a prime opportunity to go 9-4 by beating a 4-8 Denver Broncos team, the Texans embarrassingly lost at home with a final result of 38-24.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson did not have the game he envisioned. After toasting the New England Patriots, he went 28 of 50 passing (56%) for 292 yards, a touchdown, two rushing touchdowns, two interceptions and a 63.1 passer rating.

What can he take away from the performance?

“Didn’t really play well. Didn’t play well enough. They got up, and it was hard for us to come back. We tried to,” said Watson post-game.

The Texans put up a stinker at home. But, there is no time to dwell on it. Next week, they go up to Nashville to face the 8-5 Tennessee Titans — a game that will momentarily decide the AFC South, meaning playoff implications galore.

“Just got to get back to the drawing board,” Watson concluded.

 

TE Jordan Thomas will add a ‘dimension’ to the Texans offense

On Thursday, the Houston Texans activated second-year tight end Jordan Thomas to their active roster. He will add a dimension to their offense.

Not long ago, tight end Jordan Thomas was primed for a feature role in the Houston Texans’ offense. Then he cracked a rib in the preseason and subsequently went on injured reserve.

While watching from the sidelines, Thomas, 23, witnessed tight ends Darren Fells and Jordan Akins establish themselves as key components in the Texans’ offense. On Thursday, Houston activated him from the injured reserve.

“Jordan, we decided to activate him. He had practiced well and I think yesterday he got in there a little bit,” said coach Bill O’Brien on Friday.

Thomas played seven snaps in the Texans’ Week 12 win over the Indianapolis Colts. The Mississippi State product did not receive a target.

Despite a lack of attention on Thursday night, Houston figures that Thomas will be an integral part of their offense moving forward.

“I think over time he’s going to add a dimension in the running game and in the passing game,” said O’Brien.

Thomas measures in at a big 6-5, 277 pounds. As a rookie in 2018, he recorded 20 receptions for 215 yards and four touchdowns. He did his most work in the red zone.

According to Player Profiler, Thomas possessed a 13.4% red zone target rate in 2018. His seven receptions in the compacted area were ninth in the NFL for tight ends. All four of his touchdowns came in the red zone.

“He’s big, he’s athletic, he’s got great hands, he’s become a better blocker over time, so we’ll keep incorporating him into the offense,” O’Brien concluded. “It’s good to have him back.”

Houston is not afraid to incorporate their tight ends. Fells leads the NFL in touchdowns at the position (six), Akins acts as a motion weapon and improved blocker. Thomas will give the team size, previous rapport with Deshaun Watson and a red zone threat. That doesn’t hurt during the stretch run of the season.

Colts DE Justin Houston has the Texans’ attention

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Justin Houston has the attention of the Houston Texans offense before Week 12 matchup.

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Four days after allowing seven sacks to the Baltimore Ravens, the Houston Texans offensive line must protect against another defense capable of getting to the passer.

The Indianapolis Colts defense, coached by coordinator Matt Eberflus, has amassed 25 sacks in 10 games. Defensive end Justin Houston counts for eight of those sacks, a team-leading digit, nearly triple of second-place.

Houston, 30, is a known commodity. Before landing in Indianapolis in 2019, he spent eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. In the process, he recorded four Pro-Bowl appearances and one first-team All-Pro nod — given in 2014 for tallying the second-most sacks in any NFL season (22).

“He’s a dynamic pass rusher. He’s strong. He’s had a lot of years production in this league,” said Texans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly on Tuesday. “He definitely has a wide arsenal of pass rush moves and he isn’t afraid to use them. So, our guys, both tackles are going to see him and it’s a big challenge for them.”

The last time Houston faced the Texans — Week 7 — he amassed two sacks, four quarterback hits and a pair of tackles for loss. He has 3.5 sacks on Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson in two games played against him.  Houston has never lost to the Texans.

Watson is all too aware of what type of talent Houston is to deal with.

“He’s a veteran guy that’s played a lot of football and understands different skillsets and different techniques to use in different situations,” said Watson on Tuesday. “He’s definitely a guy that you have to respect, and we definitely do that. He’s a great football player.”

The Texans offensive line is looking for a rebound game after Sunday’s atrocious performance. To do so, they must keep their eyes peeled for Houston, No. 99. Or else, he will — as he’s done throughout his nine-year career (86.5 sacks) — get to the passer.

Texans must utilize their hurry-up offense against the Ravens

The Houston Texans face a tough task on Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens. However, they can escape with a win if they run the no-huddle a bit.

The Houston Texans are preparing to face the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Though not an easy task, there are methods to besting the 7-2 black birds in Baltimore.

According to Sharp Football Stats, the New England Patriots found a susceptible wrinkle in the Ravens defense in Week 9: the hurry-up offense.

In their Week 9 loss, New England found their most success running the no-huddle, tallying a 62% success rate with it (58% pass, 73% run) as compared to 46% success rate without it (45% pass, 50% run).

For Houston, the Patriots’ success in Week 9 is a green light to run the NFL’s best fast-paced offense.

No NFL team runs the no-huddle better than the Texans. Per Sharp Football, they boast a top-ranked 85% success rate when playing hurry-up offense. Their hurry-up success includes an 82% successful pass rate and 89% on run plays.

The Texans gain an average of 7.1 yards on pass attempts and 6.8 yards per rush while running the hurry-up. They possess a perfect success rate on both first- and third-quarter hurry-up offense utilization.

Logically, the Texans will attempt to go fast in the first- and third-quarter while closing out each half with lengthy drives. That’s the hope, at least.

Naturally, one would conclude the Texans would run more hurry-up offense on Sunday. However, in 2019, that has not been the case, as they are doing so at the 29th-highest rate in the NFL.

Nonetheless, on Sunday, the Texans should consider turning the page by letting the offense run quickly. Of course, they won’t do so on any drive — they can’t against a run heavy offense that thrives on controlling the clock. However, if stuck in a pickle, they know where to go.

If one were to bet on when the Texans hurry it up, it would be on their first drives of the first- and third-quarters, as previously stated. Not only do they thrive running the hurry-up in each respective quarter, it would allow them to punch Baltimore in the mouth, then control the clock in their ensuing possessions.

Houston running the hurry-up on Sunday won’t be an every-down, drive or quarter thing. However, it’s a potential favorable matchup for an offense that must keep-up with a high-powered opposing offense.