Miller shows ability to lend a sizable hand
He was the Texans’ best offensive player during a disappointing Week 1 for his team.
He entered a new week ranked fifth in the NFL in rushing yards and tied for fourth in attempts. Big year for the Texans. Big year for Lamar Miller. “I feel like I’m an elite back. I have a lot of confidence in myself. I’m a very confident person,” Miller said Wednesday at NRG Stadium, after rushing 20 times for 98 yards against New England during the Texans’ season-opening road defeat. “Last year, I just think it was a down year. But this year I’m looking forward to showcasing my skills and just show everybody that I still got it and can
still play in this league.”
All eyes are on Deshaun Watson. DeAndre Hopkins entered this season believing he was the best receiver in pro football.
But other than the yearlong connection between Nos. 4 and 10, no one on the offensive side of the ball is more important to the Texans’ 2018 campaign than Miller, who’s now in his third year in Houston but is still pushing for a true breakout season in red and blue.
A loss along O-line
The Texans’ 27-20 loss to the Patriots hit even harder when starting tackle Seantrel Henderson, a free-agent gamble, was lost for the season due to ankle surgery. Miller’s veteran presence in the backfield and slicing, attacking running style became even more mission critical for a team that entered the year answering constant questions about a newly pieced together offensive line.
There are now eight pro game tapes on Watson, and he’ll face the Texans’ previous defensive coordinator Sunday in Nashville, Tenn., when Bill O’Brien’s squad matches up against Mike Vrabel’s Titans in an early AFC South battle.
The Patriots intentionally limited Watson’s drive-changing legs (eight rushes for 40 yards; long of 13), forcing him to prove his mid- and downfield accuracy. The Texans’ secondyear quarterback only completed 50 percent of his passes, was held to 176 yards through the air and averaged just 5.2 yards per completion.
Watson should have another key weapon Sunday, when often-injured wide receiver Will Fuller returns to action. But Miller can always be counted on and has been one of O’Brien’s most dependable offensive names in recent years. The seventh-year back played in at least 13 games during each of his previous six seasons and took the field in all 16 last year for the Texans.
Even with a line that’s truly a work in progress, Miller should be good enough to consistently make a difference on Sundays. The No. 97 overall pick of the 2012 draft — who should reach 5,000 career rushing yards against Tennessee — can help free up the middle of the field for his young QB and take weight off Watson’s young shoulders.
“I thought (Miller) ran good. I thought he was decisive,” O’Brien said. “We need to continue to try to build on that. I thought (Alfred) Blue ran well, too. So I think the running game was somewhat of a bright spot.”
Miller praised his line and highlighted the effort of 2018 third-round pick Martinas Rankin, who filled in when Henderson went down.
“If you can run the ball in this league and pass the ball, we’ll be a great offense,” Miller said. “Each week we’ve just got to get better and improve at something so once we hit November, December, we’ll be an unstoppable force.”
Like O’Brien and Watson, center Nick Martin referred to the Texans’ run game as a Week 1 positive and complimented a veteran back who must continually step up in 2018.
“He’s an all-purpose back — he can do it all — and he’s a likeable guy,” Martin said. “You’re going to block your heart out every play. When he’s a good teammate, it just makes you want to do it that much more.”
Trying to dodge 0-2
Overall, the offense was off in Week 1 and the Watson-O’Brien connection will receive the most attention Sunday in Tennessee. But an attacking Miller was a clear asset and the Texans will need more of the same againsts Vrabel’s Titans if they’re going to avoid an 0-2 hole.
“It’s an important game. Every game is very important, but this week we’re in the division,” Miller said. “We’ve got to come out, play fast, do our assignments and just try to put points on the scoreboard. We’ve got to come out and start fast on the offensive side of the ball. Can’t get behind.”
While we all watch Watson, it all starts with the Texans following Miller.