It wasn’t long ago that the Houston Texans shot themselves on the foot consistently due to poor special teams play. However, that changed in 2018, when Houston brought-in special teams coach Brad Seely.
Since the arrival of Seely, the Texans have risen from Football Outsiders‘ 26th-ranked special teams unit (in terms of DVOA [-4.5%]) to fifth in 2018 (3.5%) to fourth in 2019 (2.9%). They’ve allowed the fewest punt return yards in 2019 (73) and led the NFL in field goals made in 2018 (37).
“I think it’s an important part of who we are as a team,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said on Thursday.
The Texans take a special teams approach similar to the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens, teams that historically, under their respective head coaches, are among the NFL’s best on special teams. They bring in players specifically for their abilities on the ever-so-valuable but overlooked third-team.
Cornerback Keion Crossen, fullback Cullen Gillaspia, running backs Buddy Howell and Taiwan Jones, safety A.J. Moore and linebackers Dylan Cole (out for the season – ACL), Barkevious Mingo and Tyrell Adams see most of their snaps on special teams. They take pride in that.
“These guys take a lot of pride in it. They love being on special teams,” said O’Brien. “So, we’ve done a good job, especially of covering kicks, and I think our return game has been able to get a couple of first downs, basically, during the year and I think that’s important. So, I think our special teams is a big part of who we are.”
The Texans have 99 problems, but the special teams ain’t one.