‘Keep our foot on pedal’
The transformation of an 0-3 outfit that kept losing close games into a first-place squad built through a six-game winning streak has the Texans in line for a playoff berth.
That’s provided they keep it up.
The Tennessee Titans are 5-4, just a game behind the Texans in the AFC South, and the Indianapolis Colts have won three in a row and are 4-5. The Jacksonville Jaguars, within one game of reaching the Super Bowl last year, are reeling at 3-6 and in last place.
“We’ve put ourselves in a position to really be the frontrunners of the division,” Texans safety Tyrann Mathieu said. “The Colts are playing really well; the Titans are playing really well. I think it’s important for us to kind of realize where we’re at but also keep our foot on the pedal.
“We haven’t done anything. We haven’t won the division. So I think it’s important to realize we haven’t really accomplished anything.”
The Texans have upgraded their play in several categories, especially red-zone offense, creating turnovers and protecting the football. It has led to some impressive wins.
“I don’t think we were perfect,” Mathieu said. “Obviously, winning those six games felt great, but there were a lot of things that could’ve gotten us beat. We’ve got a few things that we can actually work on as a group and get better at. So we’re conscious of it, and we’re trying to make an effort to get better.”
Now that new wide receiver
Demaryius Thomas has increased his knowledge of the playbook, the Texans want to expand his role.
Thomas provides a big downfield target for quarterback Deshaun Watson.
During his first game with the Texans, he caught three passes for 61 yards. Thomas, a five-time Pro Bowl selection with Denver, spent a lot of time during the off week studying the offense.
“We’ve got to be able to use him more, even more than we did,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “He was in here last week, meeting extra on Thursday, Friday, trying to get some more of the offense down. I think we’re going to make a lot of strides with him from week to week.”
In a lengthy Instagram post, former Texans safety D. J.
Swearinger made it clear he doesn’t have fond memories of playing for coach Bill O’Brien.
Now thriving with Washington, the Texans’ opponent Sunday, Swearinger acknowledged he didn’t adapt well to a new coaching staff and system during his second NFL season. After thanking Gary Kubiak,
Wade Phillips and Vance Joseph — the coaches during his rookie season after Swearinger was drafted in the second round out of South Carolina — Swearinger took shots at O’Brien.
Swearinger was released by the Texans in 2015 after unsuccessful attempts to trade him. He was used primarily in a hybrid linebacker role while playing for O’Brien and Romeo Crennel and recorded 73 tackles, one sack and two interceptions.
By all accounts, Swearinger wasn’t a good fit with the new staff.
“The new coaching staff would always worry about what I was doing or saying to other players,” wrote Swearinger, who has four interceptions this season for Washington after intercepting four passes last year. “Well, the Young Swagg had a hard time adjusting to the new system nor did I want to play linebacker every play, and I also was late a few times too many. All a part of growing up & learning to be a pro.
“There was a misunderstanding with my DB coach that led to unprofessional actions by my head coach (O’Brien) that I could no longer respect! Which led to me being cut. That same coach told me I would be outta the league in 3 years. Unfortunately, my God & grind had a plan and knew that 6 years later ... I would make him eat his words!”
Swearinger had two off-field incidents prior to the trade, including leaving Espi Motor Sports without paying $20,000 for customizations to his truck. The case was dropped after Swearinger paid his bill. A week later, Swearinger’s friend and former college teammate, Jadeveon Clowney, was bitten by Swearinger’s dog and received treatment at a Pearland hospital.
Safety Mike Tyson plays the game with a feisty style.
Nicknamed “Champ” by his teammates because he has the same name as the former heavyweight boxing champion, Tyson has been filling in for the Texans in a reserve role while doubling as a special-teams contributor.
Tyson has recorded four tackles and one pass defended since being promoted from the practice squad, flashing potential.
“His want and his need to prove that he’s ready if his number’s called — I think that’s really all you can ask out of guys, especially if they don’t know if they’re going to be playing or not,” safety Tyrann Mathieu said. “He’s been a pro about it. Especially coming from a young guy, you applaud that.”