The Houston Texans secured their spot in the playoffs in a pivotal victory Saturday night 23-19 over the Indianapolis Colts. Later, they won the AFC South when the Jacksonville Jaguars fell on the road to the division rival Tennessee Titans.
As such, it’s created one of the best stories in the NFL. After winning just seven games the past two seasons combined, head coach DeMeco Ryans has won 10 games and gifted the city where he once played their first playoff game (and home playoff game) since 2019. They’ll get a rematch with the Cleveland Browns, who easily dismantled Houston without C.J. Stroud in Week 16.
Even as the team turns its focus towards the playoffs, there are still some important takeaways from the team’s gutsy performance over the Colts in what was essentially a playoff game. Here are five takeaways looking at the advanced metrics from Saturday’s huge victory.
Bobby Slowik adapts to support, protect C.J. Stroud
It was going to be a difficult game for Houston offensively. They had already lost wiedut Tank Dell earlier in the year and receivers Noah Brown and Robert Woods were declared out before the contest. Rather than stick their head in the sand, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik adapted to protect his quarterback.
Houston went out of their way to protect C.J. Stroud and sell the threat of the run yesterday.
Beyond the 24 carries, they ran 49.1% of their plays from under center (38.9% was the season average)
Strong gameplan from Bobby Slowik considering the multiple injuries #WeAreTexans
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) January 7, 2024
The Texans fed running back Devin Singletary the ball 24 times to keep the offense on schedule and open up play action passes where Nico Collins was able to feast. Additionally, they ran nearly half of their snaps, 49.1%, from under center to constantly feed the Colts the potential run threat.
It wasn’t Houston’s prettiest game offensively without their cast of weapons, however the intentionality to support Stroud and protect him was commendable.
Coaching staff leans into more snaps for John Metchie
It’s been a difficult season for John Metchie since battling back from his 2022 cancer diagnosis. However, Saturday was one of his biggest showings of the year despite the reflection of the box score.
John Metchie ran more routes than all non-Nico Collins Houston Texans yesterday (22) including Dalton Schultz (17) and Xavier Hutchinson (19)
Promising development for the second year player, really hoping he can take a Year 3 leap in 2024 with a normal off-season #WeAreTexans
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) January 7, 2024
Metchie ran more routes than any player on the team that wasn’t Nico Collins, including standout tight end Dalton Schultz. He was only targeted twice on those routes, but his presence on the field denoted a trust with the coaching staff to both block and execute his role on the team.
This is hopefully a sign of things to come as fans will hope for a breakout in 2024.
Explosion from heavy personnel groupings
Many casual football fans assume that multiple dynamic receiving weapons and players are needed to generate explosive plays in today’s NFL. Against the Colts, the Texans showed everyone you really just have to protect the quarterback.
Houston ran 13-personnel (1 running back, 3 tight ends) on only 7 plays yesterday.
Those plays averaged 14.29 yards per play and accounted for 100 yards + 2 of their 3 touchdowns on the contest.
Who says you can't be explosive out of heavier groupings #WeAreTexans
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) January 7, 2024
Houston ran 10 plays from 13-personnel (3 tight ends) including a 75-yard play action bomb to Collins for a touchdown on the first play of the game. They averaged nearly 15 yards per play on those snaps and scored two of their three touchdowns with that grouping. It was impressive and something that the Browns will have to account for.
Derek Stingley Jr. has arrived
Houston always hoped they’d have a shutdown corner when they drafted Derek Stingley No. 3 overall in 2022. By the conclusion of the 2023 season, it certainly feels like they have what they expected.
Derek Stingley was targeted just 4 times and allowed 0 receptions on 25 coverage snaps yesterday per Next Gen Stats
Houston's premier cornerback has fully arrived, he'll be a huge asset in the AFC Playoffs #WeAreTexans
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) January 7, 2024
Stingley was targeted only four times against Indianapolis and allowed zero receptions. He played a huge part in shutting down quarterback Gardner Minshew and the Colts passing game.
His continued emergence will be a huge factor against Joe Flacco and Amari Cooper if Houston wants to advance in the playoffs.
Sheldon Rankins continues to demand attention
Houston general manager Nick Caserio had an excellent offseason with both free agency and the draft. Under the radar, defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins may be one of his very best acquisitions.
Sheldon Rankins was double teamed on 41.2% of his pass rush snaps against Indianapolis per Next Gen Stats
He's been one of Nick Caserio's best free agent investments from the 2023 off-season, even when the box score numbers aren't there #WeAreTexans
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) January 7, 2024
Despite not stuffing the stat sheet, Rankins was a huge factor against Indianapolis. He was double teamed on 41.2% of his pass rush snaps and projects as a pivotal factor moving forward against a vulnerable Cleveland Browns offensive line. If edge rushers Jonathan Greenard and Will Anderson are going to punish Flacco, they’ll need Rankins to contribute in a big way once again.
