FILM REVIEW: Houston Texans could be 3-0

The line between winning and losing is very thin, we know that. The winless Houston Texans missed three straight winnable games due to lack of depth, a questionable practice decision and pure Houston Texans-style SNAFUs.

The Texans had second-half leads in all three games and committed even-or-less turnovers in all three games. Their defense looked competent and downright dominant at times against three of the league’s most promising offenses to start the season.

What the Texans have always lacked as a Scarlett Letter is the ability to win games in decisive moments. Even in the days of Watson or Schaub, fans can viscerally point to games where the moment was far too big for the team and its coaches.

This season, with the dearth of true game changers on the roster, that motive has been excruciatingly obvious.

Texans 20 – Colts 6, 2nd and 6 over Texans 29 with 9:50 remaining in the 4th quarter

The Texans begin their drive after a pass breakup from Derek Stingley Jr. in the end zone thwarts the Colts’ best drive of the game. It’s still a two possession game and some quality practice by the Texans’ twisty offense can effectively end the game.

Supposed world-class left tackle Laremy Tunsil goes into tunnel vision and doesn’t recognize the blitz package. He allowed LB EJ Speed ​​a clear shot on the blind side of Davis Mills, who fumbles the ball and flips it into the Texans 21-yard line.

This is quite possibly one of the toughest shots I’ve seen on Mills. It’s a hammer for an unprepared QB. It comes down to communication and practice. Yes, linemen learn to block backwards. And the moment he committed, it was rookie left guard Kenyon Green next to him. Even so, communication and play need to improve to prevent this soul-sucking game from happening.

The defense, which just held on for an 11-play, 76-yard run, has just two plays left and is supported against its end zone. It’s a deflating revelation and begins the unraveling of a depleted Texas defense.

After the match, Tunsil told the media “there were a lot of misunderstandings everywhere”, which is glaring. After that play, the Colts scored two touchdowns in less than 10 minutes.

Texans 9 – Broncos 6, 3rd and 15 with 15:00 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter,

The Houston Texans and Broncos have fought an inept war on offenses for three quarters so far. That’s about to change as the Broncos face a third-and-15 after a 15-yard penalty for a chop block on second down. The Broncos’ only offense was missed tackles by the Texans and Stingley’s loss on the field. They picked Stingley again for the game-changing game.

With plenty of time against the Texans’ run four, Wilson spots Sutton infiltrating between zone coverage for the Broncos’ biggest play of the game.

Watch Sutton escape high school on a long Slugo route. It’s a well-designed game straight out of the Seahawk playbook. Tyler Lockett ran often.

Sure, we can blame Tytus Howard’s sloppy block while the Texans were driving, but if the Texans stop the Broncos here on this long first conversion, the Texans can control the clock and the game from here on out.

Texans 20 – Bears 20, 3rd and 12 with 1:12 remaining in fourth quarter

Honorable mention must be given to the Chicago Bears’ 43 tight end screen call on third-and-14. The play call was abysmal and the execution was inept. A total waste of time even though the effort was trying to get into the shooting range.

It will be Mills’ fifth or sixth possible victory in three weeks. He’s had countless attempts at stringing together a set and completely failed so far. But frankly, that’s not the case and it’s his fault. RB Rex Burkhead was actually open to the first downline. It just took him two seconds too long to recognize him.

Worse still… there were several open players. This includes Brandin Cooks in the apartments on the right. Mills was watching the right side of the pitch, so it’s a wonder why he wasn’t able to identify Cooks or his Burkhead check.

Even Lovie Smith agrees with our sentiment on the importance of this piece.

Looking back, there are two inflection points in every game. One is usually a critical error, whether mental or physical, and the other is the opposing team forcing us to make mistakes. Congratulations to the other teams who are very professional. Even so, the usual inadvertent mistakes are the bane of any winning franchise. And that’s what we will continue to strive to be…I don’t know if any of these players will be in the team when that happens.