It’s exhausting to simply accept that the Houston Texans are in third place within the AFC South.
It’s significantly baffling as a result of the highest protection within the NFL by statistical measures is Houston’s. And it’s much more inexplicable in the event you watched the Texans beat the Buffalo Payments 23–19 on Thursday evening.
Houston pummeled reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen, sacking him eight occasions for 70 yards in losses, hitting him 4 extra occasions, and consistently placing him underneath duress.
This is identical Josh Allen who handed for 3 touchdowns and rushed for 3 scores in final Sunday’s victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Towards Houston, Allen didn’t throw or run for a single landing as Buffalo scored only one offensive landing.
Allen in all probability hasn’t been crushed up this badly since he performed for Firebaugh Excessive off unbeaten paths in Central California. The final time Allen seemed this confused was in highschool when he had zero curiosity from main schools. (Hey Josh, four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers additionally needed to go the junior-college route.)
Allen was intercepted twice by Houston security Calen Bullock, with the second choose coming with simply 18 seconds to go on the Texans’ 9-yard line to seal the victory.
So, you see what a troublesome evening Allen endured — and it’s loopy that the Texans are simply 6–5, regardless of getting into the competition ranked No. 1 within the NFL in scoring and complete protection.
This contest was a full-on showcase for star defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.
Anderson had 2½ sacks and almost added one other, however the momentum of chasing Allen ended with the quarterback being tackled for a 2-yard achieve.
Hunter had two sacks whereas making Allen’s evening depressing. Hunter has 11 sacks on the season, and Anderson has 10.5.
“Credit score goes to, firstly, our line of defense,” Houston coach DeMeco Ryans stated. “For the best way they exit, the best way these guys relentlessly rush the passer and all people on the again finish is taking part in sound and taking part in collectively. After we do this, we’re robust to maneuver the ball in opposition to.”
The Texans weren’t spectacular on offense, however Davis Mills obtained the job finished in his third straight begin rather than C.J. Stroud (concussion). Mills threw two landing passes within the first half, serving to Houston win for the sixth time of their previous eight video games.
Houston’s drawback is evident: the group has scored simply 72 factors in its 5 losses. The protection has allowed greater than 20 factors in solely a kind of video games. The Texans want higher offensive manufacturing to crash the playoff subject, although they nonetheless have two video games left in opposition to AFC South-leading Indianapolis Colts.
As for the Payments, they’re simply 3–4 after beginning the season with 4 consecutive wins, every scoring 30+ factors. Since then, Buffalo has scored 20 or fewer factors in all 4 losses. Two of these losses have been significantly ugly — a 24–14 defeat to the Atlanta Falcons and a 30–13 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Buffalo has two decisions: exit the AFC race ingloriously with a late-season collapse, or defend Josh Allen higher. Not each group rushes the passer just like the Texans, however it solely takes one fierce hit to knock a quarterback out of the sport.
Proper now, the Payments aren’t getting it finished on the offensive line, and coach Sean McDermott shouldn’t be happy.
“Effectively, once they hit the quarterback 12 occasions, I do not like that,” McDermott stated. “I do not like that stat in any respect. And it isn’t a wholesome solution to play or a wholesome solution to preserve our quarterback wholesome by way of the rest of the season. So, that is simply not a very good method there.”
The Payments don’t have any alternative however to tinker with the blueprint. What we noticed Thursday hints that Buffalo is prone to fall quick within the postseason but once more — if it even will get there.
