O’Brien wants to see lopsided turnover ratio turned around
Midway through the NFL season, the Texans have managed to earn sole possession of first place in the AFC South division.
They’ve accomplished that goal despite losing the pivotal turnover battle that normally decides the outcome of games.
The Texans are currently tied for 29th in the NFL in turnover margin with the New York Giants, with a minus-seven difference. They have committed 13 turnovers, including nine interceptions by quarterback Brock Osweiler. They’ve forced just six turnovers, including three fumble recoveries and three interceptions.
“Overall as a team, we have to make sure that we try to flip the turnover– takeaway ratio,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “It’s not very good. In the past couple years that we’ve been here, we’ve been able to turn that around. We need to try to turn that around because that stat right there points right towards the won-loss record. Those are things that we need to get better at.”
Although the Texans still have a solid pass rush led by outside linebacker
Whitney Mercilus and defensive end Jadeveon
Clowney and have 17 sacks for the season, there’s been less pressure generated overall given the season-ending back injury suffered by three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt. The Texans have regressed in the all-important turnover game.
“Well, they’re just not quite happening,” defensive coordinator Romeo
Crennel said. “We are impacting the quarterback. We’re not having the opportunity to strip the ball as much, didn’t have as many opportunities on interceptions.
“We’ve had our hands on a couple this year, but not as many as a couple of years ago. You have to make your own luck as far as that goes, and we’re not making enough of it.”
Rookie Fuller practices again
Rookie wide receiver
Will Fuller practiced for the second consecutive day Thursday as he prepares to play Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Fuller returned to practice Wednesday, an encouraging sign about his status.
He was limited in practice on the injury report with a knee injury.
The first-round draft pick from Notre Dame left the Texans’ game against the Detroit Lions and didn’t return. He has dealt with hamstring injuries as well.
Five-time Pro Bowl nose tackle Vince Wilfork (groin) didn’t practice Thursday and is working on the side. Reserve running back
Jonathan Grimes didn’t practice because of an
Jaguars have speedy LBs
One commodity that Jaguars general manager
Dave Caldwell has stockpiled in recent years is a group of athletic linebackers. That includes Telvin Smith, Paul Posluszny and Myles Jack.
A former Buffalo Bills starter from Penn State, Posluszny is known for his hard-nosed style. Smith is extremely fast.
“Smith can fly, very productive player,” Texans coach Bill
O’Brien said. “I think that Posluszny is playing really well. I think he’s a tackling machine. Obviously a Penn State guy, so I’m fairly biased towards him, but he’s a heck of a linebacker.
“Smith is making a lot of plays. Myles Jack has been a good addition to what they do. They all can run. They all are around the ball.”
The Jaguars rank 11th in total defense, 24th against the run. Led by running back Lamar Miller, the Texans rank 11th in rushing offense. illness as he was added to the injury report for the first time since returning from a cracked fibula. Meanwhile, safety
Lonnie Ballentine didn’t practice due to groin, knee and ankle injuries. Inside linebacker Brian
Peters didn’t practice due to a quadriceps injury that has kept him out since a road loss to the Minnesota Vikings.