Mack key to corraling Colts
Stopping rested Indy runner vital for Texans to keep win streak, extend AFC South lead
If the Texans are going to win at Indianapolis to stretch their winning streak to three and move 1½ games ahead of the Colts in the AFC South, they must continue to play outstanding run defense.
The last time the Texans saw the Colts, they were embarrassed 21-7 in a wild-card playoff game at NRG Stadium. Running back Marlon Mack humiliated Romeo Crennel’s defense with 148 yards on 24 carries and a touchdown. He averaged 6.2 yards a carry.
Mack (6-foot, 210) is off to a good start, and he’s coming off an open date and should be well-rested. He’s a big reason the Colts are 3-2, beating Kansas City in their last game, same as the Texans. Mack has rushed for 470 yards, averaged 4.7 a carry and scored two touchdowns.
Fortunately for the Texans, they’re playing against Mack at a time when their run defense has been exceptional. After consecutive victories over Atlanta and Kansas City, the Texans are 10th against the run, allowing 88 yards a game. Last season, they finished third, surrendering 84 yards a game.
Ideally, the Texans will smother Mack and force quarterback Jacoby Brissett to pass. Brissett has a 3-0 record against the Texans — one victory as a rookie at New England and a series sweep in 2017 when the injury-decimated Colts and Texans finished 4-12.
Brissett is no Andrew Luck when it comes to passing the ball and making big throws down the field, but he knows how to beat the Texans, just as Luck did before he retired.
Before the Texans can get after Brissett at Lucas Oil Stadium, where they won 37-34 in overtime last season, Crennel has to find a way to contain Mack, which they couldn’t do in the playoff game.
After a slow start against the run, the Texans have been exceptional over the last four games, allowing 69.2 yards and 3.6 per carry. None of the last four opponents reached 100 yards.
The Texans are playing the Colts when they’re fourth in rushing, averaging 142 yards a game. Indianapolis coach Frank Reich can no longer rely on Luck’s passing and big plays at NRG Stadium, which he considered his home away from home. Reich’s offense is built more around the run, featuring a physical, powerful and productive offensive line.
The Texans are coming off the victory at Kansas City, where they allowed 53 yards, fewest of the season. But the Chiefs ran only 11 times because the Texans’ offense did such a magnificent job of controlling the ball behind quarterback Deshaun Watson and a dominating running game.
What the Texans need Sunday is a front seven that’s aggressive against the run but also must be disciplined to prevent long runs.
Outside linebackers Whitney Mercilus and Brennan Scarlett have to set the edge and make sure Mack doesn’t get outside. Nose tackle D.J. Reader has to tie up two blockers and seal the middle. Ends J.J. Watt and Angelo Blackson have to make sure they don’t overrun plays by getting upfield too fast.
Inside linebackers Benardrick McKinney and Zach Cunningham must be freed up to make tackles — to shoot gaps and get after Mack. They have to penetrate and hit him before he gets going.
In the Colts’ playoff victory, Mack was able to break a lot of tackles and get a lot of yards after getting hit.
Mack was injured and didn’t play in the Texans’ victory at Lucas Oil Stadium last season. The defense smothered him in Indianapolis’ regular-season win, limiting him to 33 yards on 14 carries (2.4 average).
When the Colts came to Houston for the playoff game, Mack returned with a vengeance and made the Texans pay. On Sunday, the Texans owe Mack, Brissett and the Colts some serious payback.