It appears the Houston Texans isolate different playmakers in the receiving corps to determine who gets the ball, but coach Bill O’Brien doesn’t see it that way.
According to the sixth-year coach, who has led his team to a 2-1 start for the first time since 2016, the intelligence of the receiving corps in DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller, Kenny Stills, Keke Coutee, and DeAndre Carter is what gives the appearance individuals are being highlighted. Instead, the offense is taking what match-ups are working.
“I think it’s more about moving guys around,” O’Brien told reporters Wednesday. “They’re all very smart, so when you’re talking about Hop (DeAndre Hopkins), Fuller, Kenny, Keke, DeAndre Carter, they’re all really bright guys, so you can move them around, which is a big deal.”
Last week, Hopkins and Fuller were the most targeted with seven targets apiece. The most productive in terms of catches was Hopkins with six. However, Stills produced the most yardage with 89.
“You change personnel and you move them around and then it’s based on the coverage, it’s based on how he reads it, [quarterback] Deshaun (Watson) reads it and how the play is designed, and that’s kind of who gets the ball, who’s the open guy,” O’Brien said.
If the Texans can continue to have their bevy of intelligent receivers healthy and available, it will help take the pressure off of Watson as he will have a variety of targets in the passing game.
Houston takes on the Carolina Panthers Sunday at noon at NRG Stadium for a Week 4 encounter. A win would give the Texans a 3-1 finish for September and keep them atop a competitive AFC South that has the Indianapolis Colts at 2-1. To get their third win of the season, Houston will need to garner more intelligent plays from their receiving corps.
