After watching film on the Texans 33-28 loss to Indianapolis, head coach Bill O'Brien revealed a candid observation on the team's slow start Thursday night.
"In the first 32 plays of the game, we had some type of error," O'Brien said in Friday's press conference. "It wasn't all mental. It might have been technique or whatever it was, but it just proves again that we've got to do a better job coaching and we've got to do a better job playing."
O'Brien pointed at all three phases of football for the Texans early 24-0 deficit. The offense did not convert a first down until the second quarter due to a multitude of mistakes. Defense and special teams also struggled with key errors and missed opportunities.
"Eleven guys need to be on the same page," O'Brien said. "It's not one position. It's all 11 being on the same page. I think defensively, we've got to tackle better. We gave up too many hit-and-yardage type plays because we didn't tackle—the first guy didn't make the tackle. Special teams, we just can't allow that to happen, that onside kick."
O'Brien and the Texans now have ten days to watch film and make adjustments. The Texans next game won't be for another ten days when they face the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite the back-to-back tough losses, O'Brien remains encouraged by what he sees in the 3-3 Texans team.
"That's not good, but as you watch the tape, you see what type of team this is: this is a team that is a mentally tough team—a team that is never going to give up, which is good," O'Brien said. "This is team that is always going to keep fighting. Like I said to the team today, a bunch of great guys in the locker room, we've got a long season left. It's probably a good time for a little break here. Everybody needs to evaluate themselves and come back ready to go on Monday."
Houston will travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers on Monday, October 20, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on ESPN and SportsRadio 610.
