NOT MAKING THE GRADE

1-6 Texans enter their week off with some highs and lows,but good moments have been sparse

OVERALL

The Texans and Vikings are the biggest disappointments in the NFL. Bill O’Brien was fired as head coach and general manager. The offense is 32nd in rushing. F The defense allows 31 points a game, ranks 31st against the run and is 32nd in opposing quarterback passer rating. The only victory was over Jacksonville. B+ QUARTERBACKS

Working with offensive coordinator Tim Kelly calling plays for the first time, Deshaun Watson is throwing more and running less. He’s protecting the ball better and finding receivers downfield more than at any time in his career. He’s on a pace to set career highs for touchdown passes, completion percentage, rating and average yards per attempt. In three of his last four games, he hasn’t thrown an interception.

D RUNNING BACKS

David Johnson has carried 101 times for 392 yards and three touchdowns. He averages 3.9 a carry, including 3.2 on first down. He’s having trouble running between the tackles. He’s been effective as a receiver with 16 catches for 161 yards, a 10.1 average, and one touchdown. He’s on a pace for 1,264 yards rushing and receiving and 10 touchdowns. Duke Johnson is contributing more as a receiver than as a runner.

B RECEIVERS

It took some time for Deshaun Watson to adjust to new receivers Brandin Cooks and Randall Cobb, but they’ve come on strong in recent games. Cooks and Will Fuller are Watson’s favorite targets, and both are dangerous deep threats. Cobb works the middle of the field for Watson. Tight end Jordan Akins has missed the last three games with injuries. Darren Fells has 14 catches, a 14.6-yard average and three touchdowns.

D OFFENSIVE LINE

So much more was expected of this group after last season’s improvement, especially with all five starters returning. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil is the best and most consistent. Right tackle Tytus Howard has improved after a slow start. Center Nick Martin isn’t playing as well as last season. Guards Senio Kelemete and Zach Fulton haven’t done well as run blockers. The pass protection has improved in recent games.

F COACHING

This team has been a catastrophe. Yes, the Texans have played a brutal schedule with losses to the Chiefs, Ravens, Steelers, Titans and Packers. Losing to the one-win Vikings at home was inexcusable. Bill O’Brien, left, was fired after four games, and Romeo Crennel, right, was promoted to interim coach. They beat the Jaguars, one of the league’s worst teams. They can’t run, stop the run or prevent big plays in the passing game.

D DEFENSIVE LINE

The linemen have been steamrollered in the running game. As a group, they’ve contributed seven sacks, including three by J. J. Watt, who’s been the best and most consistent. P. J. Hall has been surprisingly effective along the line of scrimmage. Charles Omenihu has two sacks, and Hall and Carlos Watkins have one each. It’s time for Brandon Dunn to play better against the run and for rookie Ross Blacklock to earn more playing time.

F LINEBACKERS

Like the linemen, the linebackers have been obliterated by the running game, and it started before Benardrick McKinney was lost for the season. Tyrell Adams has filled in nicely for McKinney.

Zach Cunningham, their best and most versatile linebacker, has been maddeningly inconsistent. Whitney Mercilus is tied for the team lead with three sacks but isn’t making enough big plays. Jacob Martin needs to get to the quarterback more.

F- DEFENSIVE BACKS

The Texans allow a leagueworst 114.5 quarterback rating. They’ve surrendered 17 touchdown passes, second most in the NFL to Atlanta’s 19. They haven’t done a good job of supporting the run, and they’ve contributed one interception in seven games. In other words, the defensive backs haven’t been making big plays, and they’ve been giving up too many. They’ll be in even more trouble if Bradley Roby misses games.

B- SPECIAL TEAMS

They’re starting to make some big plays. Punter Bryan Anger continues to excel. His gross average is 48.1 yards, and his net is 43.1. He has nine punts inside the 20 and three touchbacks. Coverage is solid but not as good as last season. Ka’imi Fairbairn has missed an extra point and field goal in his last two games. Jon Weeks is an excellent snapper. DeAndre Carter is an average returner.

Brett Coomer / Staff photographer DEFENSIVE PLAYER: J.J. WATT He’s been the team’s best and most consistent player on a disappointing defense. Watt has been in on 24 tackles, including five for losses. He’s knocked down the quarterback six times, including three sacks, putting him on a pace for seven sacks. He also has three pass deflections.

Brett Coomer / Staff photographer OFFENSIVE PLAYER: WILL FULLER So far, Fuller has stayed healthy in the last year of his contract. He’s a big-time deep threat who has improved as a route runner and has 31 catches for 490 yards and five touchdowns. He’s on a pace for career highs with 71 catches, 1,120 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Jon Shapley / Staff photographer MVP: DESHAUNWATSON The NFL’s sixth-leading passer with a rating of 108.7 has four consecutive 300-yard games and a league-best 2,095 yards. He has a career-high 69.5 completion percentage and a league-leading 8.77-yard average per attempt to go with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Brett Coomer / Staff photographer