Seven weeks separate the last time Houston saw Gardner Minshew (Week 2) and their next time. Yet, on Sunday, when the Jaguars “host” the Texans in London, it won’t seem as so. In less than two months, Minshew has ascended the ranks to relative unknown to folk hero to, as of Halloween, spooky.
Since stepping in for Nick Foles in Week 1, Minshew has a 4-3 record as a starter, in large part due to his 1,976 yards on a 61.9% completion rate and 13 touchdowns to three interceptions on the year.
“He’s done a good job,” said Texans coach Bill O’Brien on Wednesday. “I mean, for a guy to come in there in his first year and do what he’s done, he’s got a really good completion percentage, he’s a playmaker, he’s got really good poise, he has a lot of fun playing.”
Minshew is giving Foles a run for his money as the full-time starter. Not only is he playing well, but the Jaguars are also a rejuvenated team with the rookie at the helm.
“Obviously, his team believes in him and he manages the offense very well, so he does a lot of things well,” O’Brien continued.
Last week, in a win over the Jets, Minshew tossed for 279 yards and three touchdowns. On one instance, he shrugged off a tackle attempt from All-Pro safety Jamal Adams and turned it into a 70-yard toss to D.J. Chark. O’Brien saw that.
“He broke tackles last week against the Jets. He broke a tackle on Jamal Adams, who I think is a great player,” said O’Brien. “He kept the play alive and completed a 70-yard pass. He’s very strong. He’s got a strong lower body, he keeps plays alive.”
Houston’s priority on Sunday will be containing Minshew. Though not a dual-threat by nature, he has wiggle to his step, and, as O’Brien alluded to, is strong where he needs to be. He’s also a capable mind
An Air Raid product (Washington State) with a 42 Wonderlic score, Minshew prides himself on reading the field decisively and quickly. The 23-year-old’s ability to process the field and keep drives alive are ahead of his years.
“He moves his team down the field and gets them in scoring position,” said defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel on Wednesday. “He throws it, he manages the game with the running game, and then he can run himself which causes the defense a lot of trouble.”
Last time Houston faced Minshew, the rookie — who was in his first NFL start — nearly beat them at NRG Stadium. He threw 22 for 33 for 213 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions on the day. If not for a failed two-point conversion, his team would’ve left Houston with smiles across their faces.
“He’s going to be a handful to go against,” O’Brien concluded. “He’s a challenging quarterback.”
