Here we go, back at home and with a chance to win back-to-back games heading into the next divisional tilt with the Colts one week from Sunday.
The Jets stand in the way. The record is not impressive but their two wins sure are. They knocked off the Bengals right after Cincinnati stunned Baltimore on the road, and they also earned an overtime win against the Titans.
Zach Wilson is back after sitting four games recovering from a knee injury. His numbers aren't pretty but he's ultra-talented and potentially dangerous. His offensive coordinator, Mike LaFleur, said Wilson was much improved in practice over where he was a month ago.
Editor's Note: Vandermeer, please don't name-drop about how Mike's brother Matt was with the Texans as an assistant and you knew these guys as little kids when you were the voice of Central Michigan and their father was an assistant there!
Ok, I won't.
If you overlook Wilson, it could be trouble. The ball comes out fast and he's tough to bring down. He had a play in the Tennessee game where he scrambled away from trouble, out to the sideline and motioned Corey Davis to go even deeper, like it was playground ball. He then threw a strike with the flick of a wrist, for a game-tying TD. You do not want the ball in his hands late with a chance to make something spectacular happen for the men in green.
Wilson was the number two pick in the draft and is throwing at a 57 % clip with four TDs and nine interceptions. Compare that to Davis Mills, who has completed 67% of his passes with seven TD throws and eight picks and you get the idea of how challenging it's been. By the way, a quick glance shows that Mills' completion percentage is only second to Mac Jones among the rookie QBs.
I digress - this is Tyrod Taylor's game, of course, and he's coming off a gutsy, rain-soaked win at Tennessee in which he rushed for two touchdowns. He had a stellar performance on opening day here and this is only his second game at NRG as the Texans QB.
The Houston defense is top five in takeaways and they want to keep the good times rolling. The Jets will put the ball in the air, as they are ninth in passing yards. The interesting thing about that stat is that 15 of the top 16 passing yards-per-game squads are .500 or better. The other thing you need to know is that while the Texans total defense numbers are near the bottom of the league, Seth Payne tells me their DVOA is 10th.
Don't ask me to explain DVOA. It's like explaining VORP in baseball. My head will start spinning around and we'll all need double espressos, if not medical attention.
Every week I ask coach Culley about running the ball better. The Texans are aching to get the ground game going and it would certainly help against a Jet defense that sacked Ryan Tannehill seven times. Judging from the games Taylor has played, the QB will certainly factor into the running game.
This should be a fun one. It's Salute to Service Day, which is so many people's favorite theme day. And the Texans, coming off an energizing victory, are back home for the first time in four weeks to begin a three-game homestand. Let's go!
Catch the action on Sunday at NRG Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon CT on CBS and SportsRadio 610. Click here for tickets.
