Hopkins’ shift a major factor
When the Texans huddled up at halftime, they had a lot to talk about.
They were down 13-0, and their game plan had been stymied, prompting major adjustments from the coaching staff.
After quarterback Deshaun Watson passed for just 49 yards in the first half on six completions with the offense gaining just 81 yards and four first downs, the Texans began pushing the football down the field much more frequently in the second half and overtime of a 22-19 comeback win over the Bills.
Watson had four completions of 10 or more yards in the air after the first half, including key 41-yard and 34-yard receptions by wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and Taiwan Jones. Watson completed 14 of 17 passes for 198 yards and one touchdown in the second half and overtime.
One big change was shifting Hopkins from the slot to the outside.
Hopkins lined up in the slot on 75 percent of the snaps and had no catches on two targets in the first half, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. In the second half, Hopkins was outside 59 percent of the time for six receptions for 90 yards on six targets and had four catches for 70 yards against All-Pro corner Tre’Davious White.
“Second half, we had more opportunities,” Watson said. “So once the opportunities came, we took the chances, took the shots, and I gave my guy an opportunity to make the play. And the best receiver in the game makes plays, and that’s what he did.”
Another change the Texans utilized was a rare sighting of their “20” personnel package with two running backs and no tight ends. They ran it for only the seventh time this year, according to Next Gen Stats, as Watson scored the Texans’ first touchdown on a 20-yard run by following the block of rookie fullback Cullen Gillaspia.
Tunsil learns impact of win against Bills
Left tackle Laremy Tunsil was unaware of the Texans’ rocky track record in the postseason until Sunday night, following the dramatic overtime win over Buffalo,
Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson informed Tunsil after the game in the locker room that this was actually a big deal.
The Texans had lost in the AFC wild-card round a year ago to Indianapolis and were blown out by Kansas City in the wild card round in 2015. Now, the Texans are 4-5 all-time in the playoffs as a franchise.
“Deshaun just told me they always get to the first round and lose,” said Tunsil, who was acquired in a trade from the Miami Dolphins before the season. “This is a big step. Being a part of an organization like this, I’m just happy getting a win and being a part of this team.”
The Texans are 0-3 in the AFC divisional round, never advancing to the AFC championship game. They have a chance to accomplish that goal Sunday against the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
“We’ve got to worry about our mistakes and fix them and watch film,” said Tunsil, who had two false starts Sunday after leading the NFL during the regular season with a dozen false starts and 18 penalties. “Correct everything we have to correct.”
Backup RB Johnson making touches count
Backup running back Duke Johnson doesn’t have a central role in the Texans’ offense.
As a part-time player, Johnson has to pick his spots.
When the Texans utilize him, he delivers some sharp, smart plays, and his effectiveness was on display during the win over the Bills.
On six touches, three carries and three catches, Johnson made something happen every time. He averaged 12.7 yards per run on three carries for a total of 38 yards. He caught all three passes thrown to him for 30 yards. He averaged 11.3 yards per touch and had 68 total yards from scrimmage.
That included diving for the first down on a key 18-yard reception in overtime on third down to set up quarterback Deshaun Watson’s 34-yard completion to Taiwan Jones that led up to the game-winning field goal.
Johnson also adeptly blocked a pair of Bills and took some punishment in the process to give Watson an opening for a two-point conversion run during regulation.
Hargreaves enjoys first playoff victory
When the NFL season began, Vernon Hargreaves was playing for a perennial losing franchise: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
When Sunday ended, the Texans’ nickel back, claimed off waivers in November after falling out of favor in Tampa Bay, was soaking up the afterglow of an overtime playoff victory. In his first career playoff game, the Texans beat the Bills to advance to the divisional round against Kansas City.
Although Hargreaves missed some tackles, including one on tight end Dawson Knox on third down when he took a poor angle, he wasn’t dwelling on mistakes. The win was what mattered to the former firstround draft pick.
“It’s crazy, man,” Hargreaves said. “That was a crazy, great atmosphere. I see why people talk about the playoffs the way they do.”