A winning ground game went on IR with Watson
Deshaun Watson for MVP?
Yes, I knowit’s farfetched and will never happen — at least not this season — but it’s amazing howthe loss of the rookie quarterback has impacted the Texans’ offense.
Losing Watson for the season has had a profound impact on the running game as well as the passing game, not to mention scoring.
Considering how bad the offense has been in the last two defeats to Indianapolis and the Los Angeles Rams, it’s almost inconceivable to think the Texans still rank seventh in scoring with an average of 26.2 points a game.
The six teams that average
more points than the Texans — Rams (32.7), Philadelphia (31.4), New Orleans (29.8), New England (28.6), Kansas City (28.1) and Detroit (27.1) — have winning records.
The Texans are 3-6 for the first time under Bill O’Brien and trying to avoid a four-game losing streak Sunday at NRG Stadium, where they’ll host Arizona on Andre Johnson Day.
The Texans have scored 21 points in their last two games, including two touchdown passes by Tom Savage. Howmany more games will they need to total 39 points — their average in Watson’s last five starts before he suffered the torn ACL in his right knee?
Obviously, the passing game has suffered without Watson. But so has the running game, which can be a quarterback’s best friend. Andwe all know Savage needs as many friends as he can get on Sundays.
“Obviously, the running game’s important for a pocket quarterback to (back) the defense off and to help some of the play-action,” Savage said Wednesday.
It’s no secret the Texans need more production and consistency out of their running game. They need to run well early, and they need to sustain it. And it starts up front, where the linemen, collectively, must play better. Too many times they’re getting stuffed at the line of scrimmage. Running a priority
The Texans rank sixth in rushing with 127.9 yards a game— down from third when Watson was still playing. But in their last two games against the Colts and Rams, they’ve averaged 91.5 yards rushing.
“We need to establish the run a little better,” O’Brien said. “The last two games haven’t been great. We need to do a better job of running the ball throughout the game.”
Because of issues at quarterback, O’Brien had to run as much as possible in his first three seasons.
In 2014, the Texans ranked fifth in rushing, averaging 34.4 carries and 135.1 yards.
In 2015, they were 15th with 29.5 carries and 108.2 yards.
In 2016, they finished eighth, averaging 28.5 carries and 116.2 yards.
In Watson’s six starts, they averaged 33.1 rushes for 145.8 yards and never ran for fewer than 123.
Take away Watson’s rushing total in his six starts, and the Texans averaged 27.5 carries for 103.6 yards. That’s mediocre production, and it has to improve fast.
“Obviously, you want to be balanced,” fullback Jay Prosch said. “Youwant to throw the ball and run it, too. We take pride in being able to run the ball and being a physical team. It’s huge as far as our M.O. and what we do to help open up the passing game.”
Watson took 36 carries, 269 yards and two touchdowns with him to injured reserve. Lamar Miller and D’Onta Foreman have to take up the slack. So far, they’ve been unable to do it. And they won’t unless the line blocks better, and Savage completes some passes on run downs. A winning correlation
O’Brien was asked Wednesday about an ideal number of carries for him to be happy. This season, they average 29.7 but only 23 in the last two games.
“It’s more about trying to strike a balance,” O’Brien said. “I don’t knowif there’s a definite amount of carries, and even if there was a definite amount, I don’t think I would tell you.
“I do think that there’s a correlation between rushing for 120 yards in a game and winning, especially if you don’t turn it over. Turnovers are the big key.”
Savage committed four, including two interceptions, in the 33-7 loss to the Rams.
“Penalties are important (and) third downs important, but I think that being able to run the football and gain significant yards like wewere doing for a while (in the first half against the Rams) is something that’s important to winning,” O’Brien said.
The coaches and players knowwhat needs to be done to get the kind of running game they want to be successful. But knowing and doing are different things.
“It comes downto knowing the defense they’re playing and what we’re supposed to do, how we can adjust to that and get a hat on a hat and cover everybody up and create some space,” Prosch said. “We’ve got to work a little better together and make sure we’ve got it all covered.”