The Houston Texans offense is a handful for defenses. They boast a passing game highlighted by Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller, Kenny Stills and Keke Coutee. The Kansas City Chiefs saw that first-hand on Sunday, in their 31-24 loss to Houston.
The Texans can also run the ball, in large part due to the stress that their passing game puts on the defense. No longer is a defense keying in on one aspect of Houston’s offense. On Sunday, Houston ran the ball 41 times for 192 yards and passed it 42 times for 280 yards.
A prime benefactor of a star-studded passing offense is running back Carlos Hyde, who ran for 116 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries on Sunday. For the season, he has 426 yards and three touchdowns.
“They just let me be myself. [They] let me play my game. [They] let me get downhill. [They let me] do what I do best. You can’t just focus on me,” Hyde said after the win.
If a defense focuses on Hyde, then they will surely see Watson airing it out to one of the aforementioned receivers; or productive tight ends in Darren Fells and Jordan Akins; or backfield pass-catching ace Duke Johnson. Their personnel is a nightmare for defenses.
“Like I said, there are so many other guys on this team that are a threat and can take over the game at any moment,” said Hyde. “The focus is not just on me. I can just go play my game, play free and just be me.”
The Texans offense is rolling. They are balanced, protecting their quarterback, have weapons, and are likely causing Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus to lose a few hours of sleep heading into their divisional matchup next Sunday in Indiana.
