Texans search for ways to improve third-down efficiency
The Houston Texans have shown enough throughout the first five weeks of the season that their problems are pretty identifiable.
The offensive side of the ball has some issues to work out, chiefly the biggest parts of playing offense: tallying points and moving the football. Houston rank 29th overall in yards per game and are averaging 17.2 points per game.
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"Offensive football is whatever you have to do win, move the ball and score more points," general manager Nick Caserio told reporters Oct. 11. "Let's not oversimplify it. In the end, that's what it comes down to. Whatever you have to do to get that point, I'd say there's somethings we've done. We're looking at it here this week, there were some things that we've been better than others."
One area where Caserio offered a chance for improvement was third down. The Texans are the second-worst team in the NFL at converting on third down at 29.2%.
"Third down could certainly be better," Caserio said. "Third down is really first down, so early down production equates to third down. It's all tied together. In the end, offensive football is about moving the ball and scoring points. How do you do that? Every team has their philosophy. Every team has a different approach."
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When it came to the quarterback play, Caserio wouldn't mention Davis Mills by name, but he specified what the team is looking for out of their field general.
This season, Mills has completed 62.7% of his passes for 1,048 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions. He had just 140 passing yards in Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
"Quarterback position, I don't care who the quarterback is, what team you're talking about, we have to make the right decision, take care of the football, throw the ball accurately, and then be able to execute in critical situations," Caserio said. "Pick a winner. That's what your quarterback has to be able to do. Tell me the scheme, doesn't matter the offense, doesn't matter what you're running.
"Those are things that are important. Offensively, move the ball, score points and get the ball in the end zone. In the end, it's about points and that's what matters."
Offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton will have to figure out where the Texans get better at moving the ball and scoring points as Houston gears up for the final 12 games of the regular season.
The Texans will utilize their bye week to figure out their offensive woes. In Week 7, Houston will play the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.