The Houston Texans fans are holding their collective breath, hoping that a “Miracle on Kirby” will happen during the holiday season with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, who still doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans due to concussion protocol.
If he cannot play, veteran backup quarterback Davis Mills will take the snaps, making most fans skeptical about how he will perform with playoff implications on the line.
Yet, the primary concern should not be whether Mills can take his skillset up a notch to match the phenomenal rookie season Stroud is having but whether or not the Texans’ defense can shake off the lackluster performances they have had against what many would consider sub-par quarterback play from their opponents.
Opposing QBs feast
Houston is 0-3 this season against the likes of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder, Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young, and third-year New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson, who was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his Week 14 performance against the Texans.
“For the quarterbacks that have had, you call a ‘good day,’ versus us, I’d say we’ve helped those guys tremendously in busted coverages,” Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans responded when asked about the success opposing quarterbacks have had against his defense. “Guys not being on the details of where we should be and when you do that like a guy throws a check-down, two check-downs and it goes for over 50 yards – I don’t know if that’s the quarterback having a great day or if that’s defense not playing to the ball.
“We haven’t played well when those guys have had those numbers and have done what you call a ‘great job,’ versus our defense. It’s mainly been busts on our part defensively and just communication busts, technique busts, tackling – all of those things amount to explosive plays which allows the quarterback numbers to be inflated.”
“I don’t think we’re doing anything different versus certain guys,” said Texans DC Matt Burke when asked about lower-tiered quarterbacks against Houston. “I mean, each gameplan is different. I don’t think it’s specific to the experience of the quarterback or how they’re valued.” pic.twitter.com/XYs13m5ifn
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) December 14, 2023
Focused on their game plan
The three previous teams mentioned combined for 1,018 yards of total offense as Wilson (301 yards passing) and Ridder (329 yards passing) had career-highs versus the Texans defense that is being built in the model of some of the past defenses that Ryans coached.
“I don’t think we’re doing anything different versus certain guys,” said defensive coordinator Matt Burke during his weekly press conference. “I mean, each gameplan is different. I don’t think it’s specific to the experience of the quarterback or how they’re valued. We respect all these guys that we’re playing. I think if there was one common thread of, like, ‘This is the issue,’ obviously, I think we’d be able to tamp it down a little bit more.”
“So, I think, again, we’re just trying to really, really focus on not worrying about who we’re playing, how they’re playing. Let’s play our things right, and I don’t really care about what the offense is doing. It won’t matter if we’re in our spots. If we’re not in our spots, then anyone could throw the ball. I could probably go out there and throw for a bunch of yards like that. So, I think it’s, again, focusing back on us and what we’re trying to do.”
Containing Will Levis
As the Texans roll into Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, they will have to try to contain another quarterback gaining confidence with each snap in rookie Will Levis.
The former Kentucky Wildcat helped the Titans defeat one the best teams in the NFL by playing poise and under control, bringing his team back from a 14-point deficit with under three minutes left to play in the game.
Houston has sustained a multitude of injuries on the defensive side of the ball that will lead to game-time decisions for rookie defensive end Will Anderson and linebacker Blake Cashman, who has been one of their most reliable players in pass coverage. The Texans are currently in the eighth spot in the AFC playoff standings and cannot afford to lose back-to-back games.
“I think if we have the mindset of taking it one game at a time, these next four quarters, just taking this game and worry about next week when it comes,” rookie linebacker Henry To’o To’o said to Texans Wire. “We just need to build on what we have been building on our whole entire year.”
