It’s exhausting to just accept that the Houston Texans are in third place within the AFC South.
It’s notably 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 night time.
Houston pummeled reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen, sacking him eight occasions for 70 yards in losses, hitting him 4 further occasions, and continuously placing him below 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. In opposition to Houston, Allen didn’t throw or run for a single landing as Buffalo scored only one offensive landing.
Allen most likely hasn’t been crushed up this badly since he performed for Firebaugh Excessive off unbeaten paths in Central California. The final time Allen appeared 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 tricky night time Allen endured — and it’s loopy that the Texans are simply 6–5, regardless of coming into the competition ranked No. 1 within the NFL in scoring and whole protection.
This contest was a full-on showcase for star defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.
Anderson had 2½ sacks and practically 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 night time depressing. Hunter has 11 sacks on the season, and Anderson has 10.5.
“Credit score goes to, at first, our line of defense,” Houston coach DeMeco Ryans mentioned. “For the best way they exit, the best way these guys relentlessly rush the passer and everyone on the again finish is enjoying sound and enjoying collectively. After we do this, we’re robust to maneuver the ball towards.”
The Texans weren’t spectacular on offense, however Davis Mills received the job achieved 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 downside is evident: the crew has scored simply 72 factors in its 5 losses. The protection has allowed greater than 20 factors in solely a type of video games. The Texans want higher offensive manufacturing to crash the playoff area, although they nonetheless have two video games left towards 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 notably ugly — a 24–14 defeat to the Atlanta Falcons and a 30–13 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Buffalo has two selections: exit the AFC race ingloriously with a late-season collapse, or defend Josh Allen higher. Not each crew 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 achieved on the offensive line, and coach Sean McDermott isn’t happy.
“Effectively, after they hit the quarterback 12 occasions, I do not like that,” McDermott mentioned. “I do not like that stat in any respect. And it isn’t a wholesome option to play or a wholesome option to hold our quarterback wholesome via the rest of the season. So, that is simply not a superb formulation there.”
The Payments haven’t any selection however to tinker with the blueprint. What we noticed Thursday hints that Buffalo is more likely to fall quick within the postseason but once more — if it even will get there.
