The Houston Texans got a little more life from their offense in last weekend’s 30-34 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but the ground game still hasn’t come close to pulling its weight.
That’s the area DeMeco Ryans is zeroing in on as the Texans head into their Week 5 matchup with the Tennessee Titans. Through four games, Houston has been stuck near the bottom of the league in rushing production, with just 316 total rushing yards and a 3.5 yards-per-carry average. Outside of David Montgomery’s three-touchdown showing in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills, the run game has been mostly quiet.
Ryans made it clear Wednesday that he doesn’t see the issue as one tied to the backs. He pointed instead to the offensive line and the way it has handled blocking through contact and finishing plays.
"For us to improve in the running game, we have to sustain our blocks better," Ryans said on Wednesday. "We start in the right way.
We're attacking with the right hand placement. But what I'm imploring our guys is, how are you going to strain?
How are you going to stay attached to your block and finish? That'll be the key this week."
He also noted that the Texans’ line has been solid in pass protection, which makes the run-game issues stand out even more. The passing game has held up better, but the inability to create consistent movement on the ground has kept the offense from reaching a higher level.
"The mentality is there, and we just have to go out and finish in the run game on Sunday," Ryans said. "I think everybody's seen our pass protection has been much better over the past couple years.
We've done a great job of protecting it. C.J. is throwing the ball well.
We just have to clean up some things in the running game."
If the Texans are going to find more juice on the ground, some changes up front could be part of the answer. That could mean shuffling the offensive line or leaning more on heavier personnel, including tight ends, to help the blocking.
For now, the message is straightforward: the Texans need more from their run game, and they need it soon. With an 0-4 record, another flat day on the ground in Tennessee would only make the climb steeper.
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Will Anderson Jr. has backed Ryans' approach, saying the head coach brings the kind of accountability the defense needs right now. For a team trying to stop an early slide, that combination of firmness and trust could matter as much as anything on the call sheet, especially with the Texans searching for a response that shows up in a divisional game. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Bring Back Former Titans Receiver Before A Notable Week 5 Test
The Texans added a familiar face to their roster this week, signing wide receiver Bryce Oliver to the 53-man group ahead of their Week 5 meeting with the Titans. Oliver had already spent time on Houstons practice squad, and his path back comes after two seasons in Tennessee before his release, giving the Texans an extra receiver with some built-in familiarity as they get ready for a divisional matchup.
It is a move that gives Houston a little more flexibility in a receiver room that has already been changing, especially with special teams value carrying plenty of weight for the bottom of the roster. The timing also makes the decision a little more interesting, with the Texans lining up for a game against the team Oliver just left behind and more personnel movement still possible as the week unfolds. [Read more 🡒]