Sometimes NFL teams win ugly. But on Sunday in a 34-7 loss at Minnesota, the Texans lost ugly. They had 11 penalties and only seven points.
After a holding call nullified C.J. Stroud’s 17-yard pass to Nico Collins on the game’s first offense snap, the Texans managed to pull off a dubious streak: Houston committed at least one penalty on each of its first five offensive possessions. At one point during an excruciating second-quarter drive, Houston drew offensive laundry on four consecutive snaps.
It’s not an aberration, either. The Texans actually had more penalties, 12, in a Week 2 win over Chicago and now lead the league with 28 in that column. On Monday, head coach DeMeco Ryans took accountability and vowed to correct the trend, which fell primarily on the Texans’ offensive front at Minnesota.
“Our offensive line will get it going,” said Ryans on Monday, courtesy of KRPC’s Aaron Wilson. “They had some really good reps and good protection, a lot of explosive plays and really good protection. I don’t let a few bad plays dictate who we are. I’m excited about our O-line and what’s in front of them.”
What’s in front of them is Jacksonville, and Ryans knows the Texans need to stop blaming officials and start with what they can control.
“With the penalties of lining up, we have to be better,” he said Monday. “We have to align right. It is clear with the rules of how we should line up so we have to line up correctly and that starts with us.”
Even if the Texans can overcome the penalties, they’re still not healthy on offense. Houston looked much different through its first game-and-a-half with Joe Mixon, who had 159 yards in a Week 1 win at Indianapolis. In the loss at Minnesota, Houston was without not only Mixon (ankle) but also running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring). Asked Monday whether the Texans could have either player back for Jacksonville, Ryans was non-committal, saying they’d wait until Wednesday’s injury report to reveal more.
Jacksonville has won two of the last three meetings over Houston. In seven of the past nine seasons, either Jacksonville or Houston has won the AFC South division.