The Houston Texans are seventh in the NFL with 136.9 rushing yards per game, and tied with the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals for the second-most yards per carry at 5.0.
However, coach Bill O’Brien believes the run game has to improve over the final five games.
“I think the running game has been good at times,” O’Brien told reporters on Nov. 22. “[Thursday night] the running game was tough. The Colts did a really good job. We were able to crack them a couple of times, but it was a tough, tough night.”
The Texans tallied 99 rushing yards on 24 carries. Running back Carlos Hyde was limited to 16 carries for 67 yards. Duke Johnson also tallied five carries for 22 yards.
During the Texans’ mini-bye before their Dec. 1 showdown with the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football at NRG Stadium, O’Brien says the team has to improve their rushing attack.
Said O’Brien: “I just think that we have to spend a lot of time this weekend on the running game as coaches, see where we’re at, what we’re doing… I think that’s a key in the last stretch of the season here. You’ve got to be able to run the football.
“You’ve got to be able to run the football at home, you’ve got to be able to run the football on the road, you’ve got to be able to run the football when they know you’re going to run the football.”
The Texans are 7-4 on the season and in first place in the AFC South. Running the ball also helps keep the offensive attack diverse and the defense can’t key on quarterback Deshaun Watson.