Texans must improve running game in order to take the next step in 2024
A near-perfect performance allowed the Houston Texans to dominate the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the playoffs, but there were a couple of problems that cropped and it was clear the Texans wouldn't beat the Baltimore Ravens if they weren't fixed.One of said problems was an anemic running game that produced a meager […]
A near-perfect performance allowed the Houston Texans to dominate the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the playoffs, but there were a couple of problems that cropped and it was clear the Texans wouldn't beat the Baltimore Ravens if they weren't fixed.
One of said problems was an anemic running game that produced a meager 66 rushing yards on 16 carries. Sure, that's over the NFL standard of 4.1 yards per carry, but the numbers are inflated when considering 48 of the 66 yards came off two carries.
Sure enough, the Texans turned in an even worse performance against an elite Ravens defense. Texans running backs combined for a pathetic 29 rushing yards via 11 combined carries on the night, averaging 2.64 yards a clip.
As a result, the Texans were blown out by three scores. It's not like the game got away from them early, or anything, too. Houston never trailed by more than seven points in the first half and Steven Sims' 67-yard punt return touchdown had the game tied at halftime.
The Texans just simply couldn't get it done on the ground. That, along with a plethora of penalties, ultimately caused C.J. Stroud and co.'s undoing.
The running game really struggled over the first nine weeks of the season, but picked it up over the back half. The Texans went from averaging 87.0 yards per game and 3.25 yards per carry during the first eight games to 105.7 yards per game and 4.13 yards per carry over the final nine games of the regular season.
That run (pun totally intended) ended in the playoffs, however, with a major thud.
A big reason why the ground game was so inconsistent is because of the Texans' blocking up front. The offensive line had its moments, but wasn't able to fully dig its heels in as a run blocking unit for the entire season. Devin Singletary had a career year and proved to be a nice piece for the offense, along with Dameon Pierce, but the former is an impending unrestricted free agent and may not return in 2024. Tackle George Fant and iOL Michael Dieter are set to hit free agency, as well.
The Texans have to find a way to improve the running game in 2024 – and consistently improve it. The offense is already set up in the passing game with Stroud, stud left tackle Laremy Tunsil, and star wideout, Nico Collins. A consistent, effective ground game would only make Bobby Slowik's offense that much better and it would help Stroud develop much faster and quicker.
As a whole, the Texans finished the regular season averaging 96.9 rushing yards per game and 3.7 yards per carry. Those numbers tied for 10th- and fourth-worst in their respective categories – numbers that obviously need to improve for the Texans to take the next step.
And if they don't, well, the Texans could easily find themselves facing a very disappointing postseason -or even regular season- finish, next year.
