The Silver Lining- Packers Edition

Zach Tarrant/Houston Texans

Let me begin by admitting that this defeat was particularly challenging for me to put into perspective. Despite our subpar offensive performance—one of the worst I've witnessed—I firmly believed we could have secured the victory. Typically, I strive to identify positive aspects in EVERY situation, hence the name "Mr. Optimistic." Here are some of the things I'm most optimistic about from Sunday's game:

Joe Mixon: Joe Mixon has proven to be the real deal. Heading into the offseason, acquiring a top-tier running back was clearly a priority for us. The situation grew tense during free agency when we missed out on Saquon Barkley and watched other running backs sign elsewhere. The announcement of Joe Mixon's signing brought some relief, although I was skeptical about his ceiling given his age at this stage of his career. However, Mixon quickly dispelled any doubts by leading the league in rushing after Week 1. Unfortunately, in Week 2, an illegal hip-drop tackle sidelined him for three and a half games. Upon his return, he came back with a vengeance, firmly establishing himself as a premier back in the league. We understood that to achieve our goals, we needed a solid running game to alleviate pressure on C.J. Stroud. Despite broader offensive struggles, Mixon's performance has been a bright spot in an otherwise struggling offense. Give Nick Caserio his flowers on this one—nabbing Mixon for a seventh-round pick and keeping him out of free agency was a great move.

Calen Bullock: One of the most encouraging performances was that of our third-round draft pick from USC, Calen Bullock. Securing his third interception of the season, Calen currently leads all rookies in this category, hinting at a promising future. At this pace, he is creating a strong case for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Given his draft position, Calen might well prove to be the steal of the 2024 Draft. The excitement from head coach DeMeco Ryans and General Manager Nick Caserio on draft night now seems justified; they evidently knew something that we didn't. Although Calen has experienced a few coverage lapses, his exceptional range and ball skills stand out. With another year under DeMeco's guidance, we might have discovered a future standout in our secondary, someone who could become an elite ball hawk.

Linebackers: Heading into the game against the Packers, my main concern was the linebacker position, especially with both Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To'oTo'o out. I anticipated that the Packers would exploit this weakness by running effectively and targeting the middle of the field. However, Neville Hewitt quickly put those concerns to rest by securing an early interception and setting us up with excellent field position. Hewitt not only intercepted a pass but also made solid plays throughout the game, including a memorable suplex, performing admirably in Azez's absence. While I'm not overly reliant on Pro Football Focus (PFF) ratings, Hewitt's 78.2 grade ranked him fifth among linebackers. His counterpart, undrafted free agent Jake Hansen from the 2022 class, also made his presence felt, notably on a significant trick play that resulted in a considerable loss for the Packers. Hansen topped the Texans' defense with an 88 run-defense grade according to PFF. Should we be surprised by this? Perhaps not. I highlight this position group deliberately. DeMeco Ryans has a proven track record of coaching linebackers, having worked with breakout stars in San Francisco, including another undrafted free agent, Azeez Al-Shaair. Moving forward, I'm increasingly confident in our linebacker corps, knowing that DeMeco will get the best from them.

Texans defensive grades vs Packers via PFF

Tank Dell: The small sample size we've seen of Tank Dell as a punt returner has me optimistic about his potential in this role. Each time he touches the ball, he seems to make at least one defender miss. Tank has faced some challenges recently as a receiver, and getting him the ball in return scenarios could maximize his impact on the team. Known for his prowess as a returner in college, he's already shown a knack for it in the NFL, albeit with limited opportunities. Having observed the performance of previous returners like Steven Sims, Desmond King, and Robert Woods, I'm convinced that Tank Dell should be our primary punt returner for the remainder of the season. A lot of people have voiced concerns about him getting injured on punt returns, but my opinion is that he's playing football; he could get hurt in warmups. Give the guy a chance to do what he's good at.

Defense: My final silver lining from the game is the performance of the Texans' defense, despite missing five starters. They managed to keep us in the game, making significant contributions that nearly secured a victory. For much of the game, they kept Jordan Love on his toes with three sacks, numerous pressures, and two interceptions. I initially anticipated a defensive struggle, expecting we'd need to outscore the Packers in a shootout. However, the defense proved me wrong by demonstrating more depth than initially believed and the ability to step up in critical moments. DeMeco Ryans is a great defensive coordinator, and although we didn't win, there's optimism that our defense could become truly elite once fully healthy.

Although the loss stings badly, there were many positives coming out of the Texans-Packers game. Just as we don't ignore the negatives after a victory, it's important not to overlook the positives after a defeat. I'll catch you all next week with the Silver Linings after the Colts game!