Texans will be rested for unbeaten Bengals
Houston knows it must successfully run to pass ‘big test.’
— Without Arian Foster, the Houston Texans’ running game has become one of the worst in the NFL, averaging only 87.9 yards a game and a league-worst 3.3 a carry.
Still, the Texans have to try to run the ball, especially when it comes to making their play action work. It’s essential if they want to avoid another embarrassing loss Monday night when they play at undefeated Cincinnati.
The Texans returned to practice Monday after getting five consecutive days off during their bye week.
“We met last week before we took a break, and we met again today about what we have to do differently,” left tackle Duane Brown said. “The running game’s a mentality. We have to have it in our minds that we can get it done. We don’t want to become one-dimensional on the road against their defense.”
Brown has recovered from the concussion he suffered in the 20-6 victory over Tennessee. Now he’s got to help his teammates try to pull one of the biggest upsets of the season.
The Texans are 3-4 and in second place in the AFC South behind Indianapolis (4-5).
“This is a big test for us,” Brown said. “We’ve got a big game on the road against an undefeated team. It’s a good opportunity for us to start the second half on a good note.
“We’re fortunate to be in this position. We’re not worried about what happened in the first half. We’re moving on.”
Familiar sight for Hoyer: When he played for Cleveland the past two seasons, Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer had a 2-0 record as a starter against Cincinnati. In 2013, Hoyer beat the Bengals in Cleveland. Last season, he beat them in Cincinnati in a prime-time game; the Browns won 24-3 to improve to 6-3 and take over first in the AFC North.
“It was a Thursday night game, and no one gave us a chance, kind of similar to what we’re going into,” Hoyer said. “I remember, as a team, we felt confident going in. I think that kind of begets success. We were able to get up on them early and finish the game.”
No other Texans player knows the Bengals better than Hoyer because the Browns played them four times over the past two seasons.
“They’re a tough team, and they’re winning big games and close games,” he said. “I’m familiar with their personnel and their scheme. I didn’t have to look at the scouting report because I know them by name and number.”
Shorts to return: The Texans have waited for weeks to have their top three wide receivers back in the lineup together.
With the return of veteran Cecil Shorts from a hamstring injury, the Texans will be able to work him in tandem with starters DeAndre Hopkins and Nate Washington in three-wide sets against Cincinnati.
“I felt good; I felt really good,” Shorts said after practice Monday..