MUCH TO WORK ON
After a 34-7 loss at Minnesota, the Texans are faced with a big week of corrections as they prep to go back into the division for a date with the Jaguars.
The trip to Minnesota hardly went as planned. The Texans knew they had to protect C.J. Stroud and get a running game going. Neither item on that to-do list worked out.
Jonathan Greenard had three sacks out of the Vikings' five. Kamu Grugier-Hill had an early interception off a deflection, setting the tone for a big day from former Texans making plays in purple.
Two weeks ago, the Texans ran for over 200 yards. But that was with Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce. Against the Vikings, without their top two ball-carriers, they managed only 38.
TEXANS STAYED CLOSE FOR A WHILE
Even though Minnesota scored early and on a short field, the Texans were down only 14-0 at the break – certainly a gettable deficit. But the Vikings opened the third frame with a touchdown drive, really putting the Texans on their heels.
A TD pass from Stroud to Cam Akers pulled Houston back within 14, with plenty of time to do more damage. But the Vikes kept scoring and the Texans kept playing below their standard.
View the best photos from the Week 3 match-up between the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings.
PENALTIES AND PRESSURE
Penalties were a big problem in this one. In one instance, with Houston looking at a third and four at the Minny 25, the Texans committed four five-yard infractions in a row. The fourth was declined, because the pass on 3rd and 19 went incomplete. At the end of the day, there were 11 penalties to digest.
The Texans knew they'd have to pressure Sam Darnold. There were moments of collapsing the pocket but not enough. Tim Settle had two sacks. Will Anderson Jr. added one and has two and a half on the year. Derek Barnett had another. Yet Darnold had enough time to throw enough hay-makers on his way to a four TD-pass afternoon.
Houston came into the week allowing only 2.3 yards per carry for opposing backs. This game saw Aaron Jones roll for 102 rushing yards and five catches, including a TD.
There's plenty of work to do. The coaches will have the undivided attention of the players as they patch up the errors and put together a game plan against the Jags.
A look around the league puts things in perspective. Teams that were being celebrated, like the Texans, Saints and Bucs, all lost. The NFL is truly a week-to-week thing. This outing must be analyzed, improved upon and forgotten as an all-important AFC South showdown awaits.
Jacksonville is at Buffalo Monday night and will have to deal with a short week and trip to Houston. But don't count any chickens. It'll be another tough battle in the 17-chapter novel of an NFL Season.
Week four starts now.
