Ramsey concedes loss
DeAndre Hopkins and Deshaun Watson executed an aggressive game plan, intent on targeting Jacksonville cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
Instead of avoiding Ramsey in single coverage Sunday, the Texans went after him with great success during a 20-3 victory. Hopkins beat Ramsey in every way as he caught 12 passes for 147 yards. That included a 43-yard sideline catch with Ramsey trailing.
“We knew for us to win this game, we was going to have to attack him, couldn't just shy away from him,” Hopkins said. “He's going to play one-on-one, that’s what I want every time. Deshaun trusted me. He was off coverage on a deep ball, but Deshaun put the ball on the money. Never back away from a battle, you know.”
One game after receiver Demaryius Thomass ruptured his Achilles tendon, Hopkins was the answer to how the Texans would make up for his loss. He was targeted 16 times and averaged 12.3 yards per catch, much of it at Ramsey's expense. Ramsey failed to secure a potential interception and acknowledged he was a beaten man against Hopkins, who excelled despite an ankle injury.
“I would say this is my least favorite for me, this game,” Ramsey said. “I had some good coverage and he still made good catches. It was a good battle, but I’ll chalk this one up to him. I’m the realest, so I'm going to keep it real.”
Hopkins finished the regular season with a career-high 115 receptions for 1,572 yards and 11 touchdowns, tying Andre Johnson for the most catches in a season in franchise history.
“I think it’s hard on defenses,” Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. “We move him around, so it’s hard to locate him. It’s hard to defend Hop. He’s the ultimate competitor on Sundays. He’s a great football player.”
Watson’s sacks raise concerns
The problem of quarterback
Deshaun Watson being under duress played out again Sunday. He was sacked six times and hit 12 times overall, bringing his season totals to 62 sacks and 133 hits.
This represents the most sacks endured since Jon Kitna was sacked 63 times in 2006 in Detroit. It’s the third most in fran- chise history, trailing David
Carr’s NFL-record 76 sacks in 2002 and 68 in 2005.
And the totals are a concern. “No doubt about it,” coach Bill
O’Brien said. “He’s getting hit too much. It’s taking us forever to figure it out, but we’ll keep trying.”
Despite all of the punishment, Watson has thrived. He rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown Sunday, leading the team in rushing yards for the fourth game in a row while completing 25 of 35 passes for 234 yards and no interceptions.
He finished the season with 4,165 passing yards and 26 touchdowns with nine interceptions, rushing for 551 yards and five touchdowns.
“I wasn’t concerned,” Watson said of the hits he took. “It’s football. If I’m out there concerned, playing timid, then that’s how you get hurt.”
Miller makes productive return
Unlike a week ago when he could do nothing but watch from the sidelines during a loss to the Philadelpia Eagles, running back Lamar Miller got involved Sunday.
Miller returned from a sprained ankle and rushed for 56 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries.
The Texans felt comfortable enough with Miller’s health that D’Onta Foreman was a healthy scratch.
“I feel good,” Miller said. “I was out there running around a little bit.”
Hal remains an inspiration
Retreating into the Texans’ end zone, safety Andre Hal caught an errant pass from Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles on Sunday.
It was the third interception of the season for Hal, who was diagnosed in the spring with lymphoma but is in remission. The former seventh-round draft pick from Vanderbilt is a key part of an AFC South title team.
“God is good,” Hal said. “It’s been a real tough year for me, but it’s been a learning year for me. I learned so much about myself and about life. It feels good to come out on top.”
Hal was voted the Ed Block Courage award winner by his teammates for overcoming adversity.
“It means a lot, how the guys really care about me,” Hal said. “It’s real humbling.”
Clowney’s fine a low priority
Celebrating an AFC South Division title, the Texans’ Jadeveon Clowney had other things on his mind than a $40,110 fine for his hit on Eagles QB Nick Foles.
Clowney lowered his helmet during a road loss a week ago and was flagged for roughing the passer. He plans to appeal.
“I’m not worried about the fine,” Clowney said. “I’ll appeal it and move on to the playoffs. I’ll get some money with the playoffs, I could pay it with that.”