HOUSTON – What a week for the Houston Texans, and now the grind continues following that easy 26-3 win over the Titans. Are we seeing a team that’s breaking through, or are the real tests still to come?
What happened in Nashville?
The Texans offense rode QB C.J. Stroud once again, and has he been amazing so far or what? Stroud’s been playing at a high level and has yet to throw an interception in the first five games. The defense also resembled what we saw last year when they were ranked #1.
Remember though that we’re talking about the Titans
Yes, they (Titans) are a really bad football team that is going to have a very long season. In the NFL though, a win is a win, and the Texans will gladly take and try to build off of that “dub” in Music City.
London-bound and a date with the Jaguars
Now things are going to ramp up, don’t you think? Jacksonville, the favorite in the AFC South, is off to a 4-1 start after beating the Eagles in London just a few days ago, 19-17. They’ve had a whole week to get comfortable there while the Texans are coming in hot Friday morning London time and quickly trying to find a way to get their legs under them after a nine-hour flight from Houston.
“We got some guys some cool blue light glasses to help them go to sleep a little bit sooner,” Head Coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters on Wednesday.
“Once we leave Houston, guys are expected to go to sleep on the plane and sleep overnight.”
Going to London is a fun trip, but it’s short, and it’s a business trip because a loss for Houston could dash their playoff hopes. It may not be a “must-win,” but it’s certainly a “gotta get this one ” type game on Sunday.
WHAT ARE THE TEXANS’ KEYS TO A WIN?
1) Defense needs to eat: This is nothing new for this group. It’s about the pass rush from Will Anderson Jr. (3 sacks vs. the Titans) and Danielle Hunter against Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence, who needs to feel the heat all day and be forced out of the pocket.
2) Give C.J. Stroud time to shine: That all begins up front again with the underwhelming offensive line that’s failed to get the job done this season. It’s still amazing that despite poor play up front, Stroud has shone and yet to throw an interception. Give him time and see how this offense as a whole can be explosive
3) WR group adds a piece: Yes, the presence of Nico Collins is huge every week, but he’s got support now in the form of newly acquired WR Marvin Harrison Jr., who came via trade from Arizona in a deal that was finalized and announced Sunday in Nashville. Harrison struggled in Arizona and was not happy in that offense, but now rejoins his former Ohio State teammate in Stroud and also TE Cade Stover. Harrison is a big target, and we’ll see how much he plays on Sunday. I expect him to get significant snaps.
“He’s a hard worker, and that was the message that kept reverberating as we asked people about him before the trade,” Ryans said Wednesday. “I’m excited to see what he can handle.”
“I think I can do it all,” Harrison told reporters in his first media session on Wednesday.
“I’m confident in all of my abilities to play this game at a high level, and whatever role I have on the team, I’m going to do my best with my ability to perfect that role and help the team win games,” Harrison added.
What’s on the Texans’ itinerary in London?
They will land at roughly 9 am London time Friday morning (3 am in Houston) and immediately get acclimated to the time zone change and get locked in. They will check into their hotel close to Wembley Stadium, then load up and head to The Harrow School for practice and afterwards media availability with DeMeco Ryans, C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr.
Then it’s time to get to sleep early and get into their normal Saturday routine ahead of Sunday’s game with Jacksonville.
Kickoff is 8:30 am Central / 2:30 pm BST, and following the game, the Texans will immediately head to the airport in London and make the long flight home, where they will arrive in the early morning hours on Monday in Houston.
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