Blame game
No turnovers forced — and that needs to change vs. Steelers
Ask any coach about the best way to win a game, and he will tell you to win the turnover battle.
The Texans have yet to force a turnover, so it’s no surprise they have started the season with an 0-2 record going into Sunday’s game at Pittsburgh.
The Texans have committed three turnovers in losses to Kansas City and Baltimore. Their minus-3 turnover differential places them tied for 31st in the NFL. Only winless Philadelphia is worse (minus-5).
Over the last three seasons, the Texans are 2-6 when they don’t have a takeaway. They’re 9-1 when they don’t commit a turnover.
The Texans are on the verge of their second 0-3 start in three seasons, but there’s a difference. In 2018, they lost three one-score games to start the season. This season, they’ve been defeated by 14 and 17 points by two of
the NFL’s best teams.
Coach Bill O’Brien knows the best way to upset the Steelers is to have more takeaways than giveaways.
“It’s important,” he said Monday. “We have to continue to work on it in practice. We have to be around the ball more consistently, whether it’s tighter coverage when the ball’s thrown or get more guys to the ball in the running game.”
Quarterback Deshaun Watson has thrown two interceptions, including one that set up a touchdown at Kansas City. Baltimore failed to capitalize on his interception Sunday when the defense forced the Ravens to punt.
But receiver Keke Coutee had a costly fumble after making a catch. Linebacker L.J. Fort returned it for a 22-yard touchdown.
The Texans couldn’t reciprocate even though they sacked quarterback Lamar Jackson four times, including two by J.J. Watt.
“Both offenses we’ve played are very good, very unique offenses, but that’s no excuse,” O’Brien said. “It just means every week’s going to be different.”
The difference in the next game is Ben Roethlisberger, a two-time Super Bowl champion with five touchdown passes and one interception in victories over the New York Giants and Denver.
“We (got to) figure out how to take the ball away and not miss those opportunities when they happen,” O’Brien said. “On offense, we have to take care of the ball.”
As a player, position coach and now as a defensive coordinator,
Anthony Weaver knows the significance of forcing turnovers. A big reason the Texans were able to overcome the 0-3 start in 2018 was their ability to force turnovers that helped them win nine consecutive games before finishing 11-5, their best record under O’Brien.
The Texans finished plus-13 that season. They forced 29 and committed 16. In 2019, they were even in turnover differential — 22 forced and 22 coughed up. Now they’re minus-3. Do you spot a trend?
Coaches tell us turnovers come in bunches. The Texans are hoping
they come sooner than later, beginning Sunday at Heinz Field.
Last week, Weaver took responsibility for the defensive performance against the Chiefs, including allowing 166 yards rushing, before pointing something out.
“I’m more concerned about the lack of turnovers,” he said.
The run defense improved for three quarters against the Ravens, but then the Texans got obliterated on the ground in the fourth quarter. Weaver’s still waiting on the turnovers.
“We’ve got to take the ball away,” he said. “I know 166 yards stinks. We don’t want to give up 166 yards, but the one stat that is most important to me is the win and whatever it takes to get the win. To me, to get that, we’ve got to take the ball away.”
Led by Jackson, the Ravens had outstanding ball security. Despite being sacked four times and running 16 times, he didn’t turn it over.
“That’s something we haven’t been able to do, and in the NFL it’s a massive, massive key to the game,” Watt said after the Baltimore game. “You have to be able to take the ball away, and you have to be able to protect the ball on offense.”
Over the last three seasons, the Texans are 13-3 when they don’t commit more than one turnover.
Stripping the ball or just knocking it out with a karate chop is a technique taught by coaches. Some players are better at it than others. It goes without saying, the more times defensive players get to the ball, the more opportunities they have of getting it out.
“As a defensive player, it’s our job to take the ball away,” Watt said. “And, partially, they do come down to a little bit of luck, whether it’s a ball bouncing the right way or whatever it may be.
“Whatever it is, we have to get it done. When we get to the quarterback, making it even more of an emphasis than we already do on stripping it or getting the picks, catching the ones that come to us or finding ways to create opportunities.”
The last time the Texans went three consecutive games without forcing a turnover was 2017 when they finished 4-12, their worst record under O’Brien.