The Houston Texans offense started the season with a bang in Week 1, putting up 29 points and racking up 417 yards against the Colts. But since then, fans have seen a drop-off in production, and naturally, concerns have arisen. However, when you dig deeper, it’s clear that the struggles aren’t as bad as they seem. There are several reasons for optimism as the season progresses, and the offense doesn’t require drastic changes to turn things around.
Tough Defenses Are the Main Culprit
Since Week 1, the Texans have faced two stout defensive units in the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings. Both teams boast loaded front sevens and are led by defensive coordinators known for their effective schemes. The Bears and Vikings did an excellent job stopping the run and putting pressure on CJ Stroud, which made it difficult to establish a rhythm offensively. That’s not a knock on our offense but rather a testament to the quality of the defenses we've faced. Going up against these strong units early in the season will only make us stronger as the year progresses.
Rushing Offense: The Key to Unlocking the Offense
Bobby Slowik’s offense is built on a strong running game, and when the ground attack falters, it impacts the entire offense. Unfortunately, that’s been the case in the past two games, where the Texans faced two-high safety shells, a defensive look designed to limit big plays and force short, underneath passes or successful runs. Without being able to consistently run the ball, we’ve struggled to exploit those defenses. However, this is an area that can be fixed as the offensive line gels and the run game finds its footing, which will help open up the entire playbook.
The Real Issue: Midfield and 3rd Downs
While we’ve moved the ball effectively at times in Weeks 2 and 3, converting yards into points—especially touchdowns—has been a challenge. Surprisingly, the Texans have been solid in the red zone, going 5 for 7 in red zone opportunities. The issues lie more in the 20-40 yard range and on third down, where we’ve found ourselves in too many 3rd-and-long situations. These long third downs have been a result of a mix of factors: early-down sacks, penalties (particularly pre-snap ones), and some conservative first-down play-calling. Cleaning up penalties and avoiding costly sacks on early downs will go a long way toward improving these situations.
League-Wide Offensive Struggles: We're Not Alone
It’s also important to remember that the Texans' struggles are not unique. Around the league, many offenses are having a tough time early in the season as defensive coordinators have adapted, using two-high safety coverages to force offenses to be patient. Even so, the Texans still rank 10th in yards gained per game and 8th in passing yards per game, showing that there is plenty to be optimistic about. The real issue has been points per game, where we rank 21st, but that’s something that can be fixed by staying out of third-and-long situations and cleaning up mistakes.
Hope Ahead: A Softer Matchup Awaits
The great news for Texans fans is that the toughest defenses are behind us. This week, we face the Jacksonville Jaguars, a defense that has given up 28.3 points per game (4th most in the league) and over 361 yards per game. All signs point to a breakout performance this Sunday. With the offense starting to get its footing, and facing a much more favorable defense, this could be the week we see the Texans' offense truly hit its stride.
In conclusion, while I understand the frustrations some fans are feeling, it’s important to stay patient. The Texans offense has faced difficult opponents and tough defensive schemes, but there is plenty of promise. A few minor tweaks, such as cleaning up penalties and staying ahead of the chains, will allow this offense to shine. Let’s reserve judgment until after Sunday’s game, where I fully expect the Texans to put up their best offensive performance of the season.
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